Fishing at John Lake, Nipissing District, Ontario

• Overview

  This water sits in Nipissing District, Ontario. Height above sea level is 376 metres. Small enough that any disturbance crosses the whole surface. Our Nipissing District list holds plenty of bigger water. Deep River is the closest place, 53 km off. Then Chalk River, 54 km, and Mattawa, 64 km. Rules here are straightforward: one set of provincial rules.

• Where to Fish on John Lake

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Species logged across Nipissing District include smallmouth bass, cisco, yellow perch, pumpkinseed and rock bass. The list covers the county rather than this water alone, so treat it as a guide. The near bank of John Lake is often the one people ignore.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages here run 18°C at the top of summer and -13°C at the bottom of winter. Seasons are distinct, and each one fishes differently. Hard cover is dependable here; it goes around late April. The season between ice runs from about late April to late November. The weeks after the thaw and the ones before the freeze are the strongest. It holds true on John Lake more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  Who may fish here is not settled in anything we hold. Mapping shows no built access close by; expect to walk in from wherever you can leave the car. 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. The nearest alternative is Paul Lake, 0.6 km out. Nothing here settles the position at John Lake for certain.