Little Mink Lake near Mattawa: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Little Mink Lake is one of the Nipissing District waters in Ontario. Height above sea level is 309 metres. It runs to roughly 14 hectares — big enough to hold fish away from the bank, small enough to learn. With about 3.3 km of edge, you can try several depths in one session. Mattawa lies 28 km from the water. Powassan is 40 km and Callander 44 km. It lies deep inside the county rather than near an edge.

• Where to Fish on Little Mink Lake

  No published figure covers depth, so learn it as you fish. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Across Nipissing District, recorded fish include smallmouth bass, cisco, yellow perch, pumpkinseed and rock bass. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. The shape of Little Mink Lake rewards a slow walk along one bank.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-run averages give July about 18°C and January about -13°C. A solid cap is the normal state through winter. After late April the shallows warm and the fish move up. Averages place the thaw at late April and the freeze at late November. The first weeks of open water and the last are the ones to plan for. Little Mink Lake runs to that rhythm year in and year out.

• Tackle & Baits

  We hold no note on access for this one. Records list it as a natural water body rather than an impoundment. Overnight stays are possible about 1.4 km out, where camping is mapped. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Provincial rules still apply whatever the bank status. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. The nearest alternative is Whitebirch Lake, 2.5 km out. Confirm access to Little Mink Lake locally before you travel.