Fishing at Kortright Lake, Nipissing District, Ontario

• Overview

  Kortright Lake is a Nipissing District water, in Ontario. It sits at 431 metres above sea level. The water covers some 16 hectares, so pick a bank rather than trying to cover it all. The whole outline is near 1.6 km, and most of it is walkable. The big place round here is Barrie, 163 km distant. Near neighbours include: Gordon Lake 1.9 km, Sylvia Lake just 2.2 km, Jean Lake 2.4 km, Fisher Lake just 2.4 km and Rose Lake 2.5 km. This one is safely inside the county line.

• Where to Fish on Kortright Lake

  Our records carry no depth, so judge it from the bank. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Survey and observation records for Nipissing District include smallmouth bass, cisco, yellow perch, pumpkinseed and rock bass. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. At Kortright Lake light and wind decide more than tackle does.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The seasonal spread runs -13°C to 18°C. Winter shuts the surface down for months. Break-up comes around late April, and the run that follows is short and strong. The lid tends to go about late April and return around late November. June through September is the settled part of the year, with the shoulders busier for fish. Anyone fishing Kortright Lake regularly works to that calendar.

• Tackle & Baits

  The rules here are undocumented as far as public sources go. No dam controls it, and the level follows the season. Public mapping records no formal access here, so plan for a walk and soft ground. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Read any posted signs at the access point rather than assuming. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. Gordon Lake at 1.9 km is the sensible second choice. Check the position at Kortright Lake before loading the car.