Fishing at Innis Lake, Peel, Ontario

• Overview

  Peel in Ontario is where Innis Lake sits. Elevation runs to 278 metres. Small at around 8 hectares: two anglers spread out cover most of it. Caledon East is the closest place, 1.7 km off. For a city, Brampton is 22 km off. Others worth noting: Widgett Lake the better part of 0.7 km, Warnock Lake about 9.6 km, Gibson Lake the better part of 9.7 km, Hall Lake about 13 km and Green Lake the better part of 14 km. The nearest boundary is well away, so one set of rules covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Innis Lake

  No depth figure has reached our records, which makes a plummet useful. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. Public occurrence data for Peel names rainbow darter, fantail darter, brook trout, pumpkinseed and green sunfish. At least one recorded species is protected in parts of its range; read the local rules before targeting anything. Innis Lake repays a walk before the first cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages move between -8°C in January and 20°C in July. The season turns properly here, and fish follow it closely. After mid April the shallows warm and the fish move up. Average temperatures cross freezing around mid April in spring and again near mid December in autumn. Spring is short and heavy here; autumn is longer and steadier. At Innis Lake the season follows that pattern closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access status is simply unknown for this water. Parking is mapped about 400 m from the bank. A picnic site 200 m off makes this workable with family in tow. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Where access is informal, keep it that way by behaving. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. Widgett Lake sits 0.7 km off and takes the overflow. Check the position at Innis Lake before loading the car.