Harts Lake, Ontario: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Harts Lake is one of the District Municipality of Muskoka waters in Ontario. It sits at 209 metres above sea level. At 10 hectares it is the sort of place you fish for an evening rather than a day. About 2.0 km of bank, so nothing stays unexplored for long. It is low-lying compared with other Ontario water we list. For a base, Gravenhurst sits 27 km out. Barrie is the closest city, 68 km away. It lies deep inside the county rather than near an edge.

• Where to Fish on Harts Lake

  Our records carry no depth, so judge it from the bank. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Across District Municipality of Muskoka, recorded fish include pumpkinseed, smallmouth bass, northern pike and yellow perch. Take it as the county picture rather than a promise for this water. At Harts Lake light and wind decide more than tackle does.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between January at about -9°C and July at about 19°C, the water has a wide range to work through. The year runs cold to warm and back, with clear transitions. Count on hard cover from midwinter, and open water from mid April. In an average year the thaw lands around mid April and the freeze near early December. The open run goes from the thaw to the freeze, and April through October covers most of it. Harts Lake fishes to that pattern most years.

• Tackle & Baits

  Ownership and access are not documented in what we hold. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. Public mapping records no formal access here, so plan for a walk and soft ground. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Rules differ from one water to the next round here. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. Should this one be busy, Pennsylvania Lake is 2.2 km off. Check the position at Harts Lake before loading the car.