Fishing Holmes Lake in Lennox and Addington County, Ontario

• Overview

  Out in Lennox and Addington County, Ontario, sits Holmes Lake. Height above sea level is 374 metres. About 7 hectares of surface, which puts the far bank inside easy sight. The closest town, Sharbot Lake, is 48 km away. It is 105 km to Kingston, the nearest city. Close by you have: Saptrough Lake about 1.7 km, Winter Road Lake at about 2.4 km, Wickware Lake about 2.8 km, Long Mallory Lake at about 3.4 km and Beebee Lake about 3.6 km. It lies deep inside the county rather than near an edge.

• Where to Fish on Holmes Lake

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Species logged across Lennox and Addington County include pumpkinseed, rock bass, smallmouth bass and bluegill. Several of these carry legal protection or closed seasons; the rulebook comes before the rod. Holmes Lake gives up its fish to patience rather than distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Seasonal averages run from -12°C in January up to 18°C in July. Seasons are distinct, and each one fishes differently. Break-up comes around late April, and the run that follows is short and strong. Average temperatures cross freezing around late April in spring and again near early December in autumn. Look to early summer and the first cool weeks of autumn. Plan any trip to Holmes Lake around it.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing we hold confirms whether access is permitted. Access is unmapped, which usually means a farm track and a walk. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Bank access can be seasonal on ground like this. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. Saptrough Lake sits 1.7 km off and takes the overflow. Check the position on Holmes Lake before loading the car.