Fishing Leclairc Lake in District Municipality of Muskoka, Ontario

• Overview

  Set in District Municipality of Muskoka, Ontario, this is Leclairc Lake. The surface lies 193 metres up. Surface area is around 13 hectares, which gives you real water without needing a boat. Shoreline comes to about 4.1 km, small enough to learn in a day. It lies lower than most water we list in Ontario. Penetanguishene lies 28 km from the water. The nearest city of size is Barrie, 73 km away. There is no boundary nearby to worry about.

• Where to Fish on Leclairc Lake

  We hold no depth figure for this one. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. County-wide records name pumpkinseed, smallmouth bass, northern pike, yellow perch and rock bass. Take it as the county picture rather than a promise for this water. Read Leclairc Lake before you fish it and the day goes better.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Temperature averages peak at 19°C in July and bottom out at -9°C in January. Seasons are distinct, and each one fishes differently. Winter locks it down, and mid April brings it back. Ice usually gives way near mid April, and forms again about early December. Right after break-up, and again as the nights sharpen, is when to go. Leclairc Lake runs to its own calendar within the local pattern.

• Tackle & Baits

  We have no record of the rules that apply on this bank. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. There is no mapped parking or launch close by, which usually means walking in. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. Some ground is open by custom rather than by right, so tread carefully. Failing this one, try Surerus Lake, 1.6 km away. Treat access at Leclairc Lake as something to verify.