Francis Lake Fishing Guide, Renfrew County, Ontario

• Overview

  Francis Lake is one of the Renfrew County waters in Ontario. It sits at 275 metres above sea level. It measures about 39 hectares, which is a comfortable size for bank fishing. There is roughly 3.5 km of shoreline here, which is a short walk end to end. It is among the larger waters listed here for Renfrew County. Start from Deep River, 35 km down the road. Chalk River follows at 36 km, then Petawawa at 50 km. The nearest boundary is a fair way off.

• Where to Fish on Francis Lake

  Depth figures are not published for this one. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Fish documented in Renfrew County include smallmouth bass, pumpkinseed, yellow perch and rock bass. Read it as a county summary, not a water-by-water list. At Francis Lake the water rewards a slow, careful approach.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages move between -13°C in January and 18°C in July. The year splits cleanly: hard water, then open water. The lid arrives early and lasts until roughly late April. Ice clears near late April and comes back about late November in a typical year. Reckon on open water from spring through to late autumn, with May and June the strongest. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Francis Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  We have no record of the rules that apply on this bank. No dam controls it, and the level follows the season. There is no mapped parking or launch close by, which usually means walking in. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. For a change of water, Pretty Lake is 1.2 km distant. Signs at Francis Lake carry more weight than any list.