Little Pautois Lake in Nipissing District: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Within Nipissing District, Ontario, you have Little Pautois Lake. It sits at 296 metres above sea level. The water covers some 66 hectares, so pick a bank rather than trying to cover it all. Some 6.4 km of bank gives room to move when the wind turns. Supplies mean a trip to Mattawa, 13 km off. Greater Sudbury is the closest city, 174 km away. This one is safely inside the county line.

• Where to Fish on Little Pautois Lake

  We hold no survey for this water; read the slope of the shoreline instead. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. 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. At Little Pautois Lake light and wind decide more than tackle does.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Temperature averages peak at 18°C in July and bottom out at -13°C in January. A full turn of seasons, with the strongest sport on either side of summer. Ice is part of the season here, ending near late April. Expect the water usable from around late April until roughly late November. Spring is short and heavy here; autumn is longer and steadier. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Little Pautois Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access is not recorded for this water. No dam controls it, and the level follows the season. Public data shows nothing built here, so treat the whole approach as informal. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Look for a notice board at the entrance. A polite question at the farm gate opens more banks than anything else. Failing this one, try Landis Lake, 2.9 km away. Rules at Little Pautois Lake are worth checking on the day.