Fishing at First Lake, Parry Sound District, Ontario

• Overview

  First Lake lies in Parry Sound District, Ontario. This is lake country bush ground. This is a pocket water of some 7 hectares, and every part of it is reachable from the bank. On size it sits at the modest end of our Parry Sound District list. Callander sits 21 km from here and is the nearest stop. Powassan follows at 22 km, then North Bay at 24 km. The nearest edge is a long way off, so local rules apply throughout.

• Where to Fish on First Lake

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. County-wide records name smallmouth bass, pumpkinseed, yellow perch, northern pike and rock bass. It is the county picture; the agency list is water-specific. First Lake gives up its fish to patience rather than distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warmest month averages 19°C, the coldest about -12°C. The year splits cleanly: hard water, then open water. After late April the shallows warm and the fish move up. The water is typically free of ice between late April and early December. September and October fish steadily right up to the freeze. Anyone fishing First Lake regularly works to that calendar.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether you may fish here is not something records settle. South Bay Provincial Park covers ground next to the water; its rules will apply on that side. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Ask in the nearest town if you are unsure. Night access is frequently treated as a separate matter. Second Lake at 1.2 km is the sensible second choice. Rules at First Lake are worth checking on the day.