Eric Lake in Cochrane District: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Out in Cochrane District, Ontario, sits Eric Lake. The surface lies 308 metres up. At about 19 hectares, a day is enough to walk the shoreline properly. There is roughly 3.0 km of shoreline here, which is a short walk end to end. For a base, Hornepayne sits 45 km out. The big place round here is Thunder Bay, 362 km distant. The county line is nowhere near, so one local authority covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Eric Lake

  Depth remains unrecorded, so treat the first session as a survey. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Survey and observation records for Cochrane District include northern pike, yellow perch, white sucker and Iowa darter. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. Work Eric Lake in sections rather than trying to cover it.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Climate normals give 16°C for July and -19°C for January. The season is measured in weeks rather than months. Ice is part of the season here, ending near early May. Ice clears near early May and comes back about mid November in a typical year. Late spring and early autumn carry the year between them. The season on Eric Lake follows the weather closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing we hold confirms whether access is permitted. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. Nothing built is recorded close to the bank here. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Rules for this water may differ from the county norm. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. Should this one be busy, Emond Lake is 0.7 km off. Nothing here settles the position at Eric Lake for certain.