Fox Lake in Parry Sound District: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Fox Lake lies in Parry Sound District, in Ontario. The country here is lake country bush. Around 64 hectares of surface means several distinct areas to work. The edge covers about 7.5 km, enough to hold several distinct areas. Size puts it in the front rank of our Parry Sound District list. Huntsville sits 26 km from the bank. South River lies 39 km off, Powassan another 58 km. No border sits close enough to matter.

• Where to Fish on Fox Lake

  Depth figures are not published for this one. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Fish documented in Parry Sound District include smallmouth bass, pumpkinseed and yellow perch. Take it as the county picture rather than a promise for this water. Fox Lake responds to conditions more than to tactics.

• Seasonal Patterns

  July runs about 18°C on average, January about -12°C. Spring and autumn carry the fishing; summer and winter test it. After late April the shallows warm and the fish move up. Ice usually gives way near late April, and forms again about late November. Reckon on open water from spring through to late autumn, with May and June the strongest. Plan around that when you fish Fox Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. Nothing built is recorded close to the bank here. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Sort the permit out before you load the car. Where parking is tight, arriving early solves most problems. Willie Lake sits 2 km off and takes the overflow. Signs at Fox Lake carry more weight than any list.