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

• Overview

  The Nipissing District entry here is Little Sturgeon Lake, in Ontario. It sits at 322 metres above sea level. With some 12 hectares of water, there is room for a boat but no need of one. With about 1.8 km of edge, you can try several depths in one session. Mattawa is the closest place, 16 km off. The big place round here is Greater Sudbury, 178 km distant. The nearest edge is a long way off, so local rules apply throughout.

• Where to Fish on Little Sturgeon Lake

  No figure exists for depth, so let the water show you. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Survey and observation records for Nipissing District include smallmouth bass, cisco, yellow perch and pumpkinseed. The county list is broader than any single water. Work Little Sturgeon Lake in sections rather than trying to cover it.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Climate normals give 18°C for July and -13°C for January. Winter closes the water for a while, and the reopening is worth catching. The lid usually sets by midwinter and gives way around late April. Break-up sits around late April on average, with the water closing again about late November. The strong weeks are the first after break-up and the last before the freeze. It sets the rhythm of the year at Little Sturgeon Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing on record says whether the bank is open or closed. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. No car park, ramp or path is recorded within easy reach of the shore. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Check locally before you travel, because a wasted drive is a long one. Close seasons apply to some species and not others. If the gate is shut, Papineau Lake at 2.1 km is the nearest alternative. The position on Little Sturgeon Lake is worth confirming on the day.