Irish Lake Fishing in United Counties of Leeds and Grenville, Ontario

• Overview

  United Counties of Leeds and Grenville, Ontario, is where Irish Lake sits. Land around it is pine and birch. At 1.30 sq km this is proper open water rather than a pond. The shoreline runs about 17 km, so it pays to pick a stretch and stay with it. The closest town, Smiths Falls, is 18 km distant. Then Brockville, 28 km, and Perth, 28 km. The nearest boundary is a fair way off.

• Where to Fish on Irish Lake

  Depth figures are not published for this one. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. United Counties of Leeds and Grenville records list pumpkinseed, bluegill, yellow perch and rock bass among the fish reported. County data is a starting point rather than a guarantee. On Irish Lake the obvious spot is not always the productive one.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July near 20°C and January near -10°C on the long-run figures. Winter shuts things down for a spell, then spring reopens them fast. Expect a solid lid for months and a thaw around mid April. Averages suggest open water from about mid April through to roughly early December. Fish feed hardest at the start and the close of the open season. Plan any trip to Irish Lake around it.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. We find no slipway, car park or made path within a short radius, so treat access as rough. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Gates get locked out of season on water like this. Night access is frequently treated as a separate matter. The nearest alternative is Dunbar Lake, 6 km out. None of that is settled for Irish Lake in what we hold.