Fishing Lingham Lake in Hastings County, Ontario

• Overview

  Lingham Lake belongs to Hastings County, Ontario. The setting is pine and birch on every side. This is sizeable water at about 9.22 sq km, and a boat opens up most of it. You have roughly 81 km of edge to choose from, which rewards a scouting trip. Size puts it in the front rank of our Hastings County list. Nearest town is Madoc, 29 km off. Kingston is the closest city, 95 km away. The nearest boundary is a fair way off.

• Where to Fish on Lingham Lake

  Open data we checked carries no depth for this water. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Records held for Hastings County cover rock bass, smallmouth bass, pumpkinseed, yellow perch and bluegill. Records at county level tell you what is around, not what is stocked here. On Lingham Lake the first feature you find is usually worth a session.

• Seasonal Patterns

  In an average year July sits at 19°C and January at -11°C. Cold winters and warm summers give a wide working range. The lid arrives early and lasts until roughly mid April. The lid tends to go about mid April and return around early December. The first weeks of open water and the last are the ones to plan for. Time your trip to Lingham Lake by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  The rules here are undocumented as far as public sources go. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. Lingham Lake Conservation Reserve covers ground next to the water; its rules will apply on that side. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. A landowner's word beats anything printed elsewhere. Where the way in crosses private ground, ask first. If the gate is shut, Canniff Lake at 5.5 km is the nearest alternative. Check the position at Lingham Lake before loading the car.