Fishing Kerry Lake in Nipissing District, Ontario

• Overview

  Kerry Lake falls in Nipissing District, part of Ontario. The country here is lake country bush. Surface area runs to about 3 hectares — small enough to read in one session. On size it sits at the modest end of our Nipissing District list. The closest town, United Townships of Dysart, Dudley, Harcourt, Guilford, Harburn, Bruton, Havelock, Eyre and Clyde, is 49 km away. The nearest city of size is Barrie, 166 km away. One jurisdiction covers this water end to end.

• Where to Fish on Kerry Lake

  Nothing in our records gives a depth for this one. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Fish documented in Nipissing District include smallmouth bass, cisco, yellow perch, pumpkinseed and rock bass. Take it as the county picture rather than a promise for this water. The shape of Kerry Lake decides where the fish sit.

• Seasonal Patterns

  On the long-term average, July reads 18°C and January reads -13°C. Spring and autumn carry the fishing; summer and winter test it. Hard water holds through the cold months, breaking up near late April. On the long-run averages the water opens up around late April and starts locking again about late November. The shoulder weeks of the open season are the productive ones. At Kerry Lake the season follows that pattern closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public sources are silent on who controls the bank. Access points are not mapped for this water, which suits people who like quiet. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Look for a notice board at the entrance. Where the way in crosses private ground, ask first. For a change of water, Wigwam Lake is 0.5 km distant. Check the position on Kerry Lake before loading the car.