Leonard Lake, Ontario: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  District Municipality of Muskoka in Ontario is where Leonard Lake sits. The surface lies 264 metres up. At 1.99 sq km this is proper open water rather than a pond. The edge covers about 12 km, enough to hold several distinct areas. Few waters listed in District Municipality of Muskoka are bigger. The nearest place of any size is Bracebridge, 11 km away. Then Gravenhurst, 19 km, and Huntsville, 34 km. The nearest boundary is well away, so one set of rules covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Leonard Lake

  No figure exists for depth, so let the water show you. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. Survey and observation records for District Municipality of Muskoka include pumpkinseed, smallmouth bass, northern pike and yellow perch. It is the county picture; the agency list is water-specific. Leonard Lake fishes better once you know its edges.

• Seasonal Patterns

  July is the warm end of the year here, averaging about 19°C, while January sits near -10°C. Winter closes the water for a while, and the reopening is worth catching. Ice fishing carries the winter, and the water opens about mid April. The water is typically free of ice between mid April and early December. September and October fish steadily right up to the freeze. The season on Leonard Lake follows the weather closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  The paperwork position is blank for this one. No dam controls it, and the level follows the season. Nothing is listed nearby for parking or launching a boat. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Provincial rules still apply whatever the bank status. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. Should this one be busy, Lily Lake is 1.6 km off. Check the position on Leonard Lake before loading the car.