Little Cross Lake, Ontario: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Little Cross Lake stands in Nipissing District, Ontario. The water sits 299 metres up. At about 33 hectares, a day is enough to walk the shoreline properly. Around 5.3 km of bank, which is a long day on foot. Some 43 km away sits Markstay-Warren, the nearest settlement. After that come West Nipissing at 50 km and Sturgeon Falls at 50 km. One jurisdiction covers this water end to end.

• Where to Fish on Little Cross Lake

  We hold no survey for this water; read the slope of the shoreline instead. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Public occurrence data for Nipissing District names smallmouth bass, cisco, yellow perch, pumpkinseed and rock bass. The county list is broader than any single water. On Little Cross Lake the quiet end is the one worth the extra effort.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Seasonal averages run from -15°C in January up to 18°C in July. A full turn of seasons, with the strongest sport on either side of summer. Once it clears, about late April, the fishing comes on quickly. On the long-run averages the water opens up around late April and starts locking again about late November. Right after break-up, and again as the nights sharpen, is when to go. On Little Cross Lake the same rules apply, with local timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  We hold no note on access for this one. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. Formal access is not mapped, so the last stretch is likely on foot. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Check whether a boat is allowed before you tow one. Barbless rules turn up on managed water more often than not. The nearest alternative is Rump Lake, 1.1 km out. For Little Cross Lake in particular, ask before you travel.