Mainhood Lake near Huntsville: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Out in District Municipality of Muskoka, Ontario, sits Mainhood Lake. The water sits 314 metres up. It runs to roughly 14 hectares — big enough to hold fish away from the bank, small enough to learn. Bank access stretches around 2.2 km in total. The closest town, Huntsville, is 17 km away. Bracebridge is 20 km and Gravenhurst 33 km. Within a short drive: Longs Lake 1 km, Palmer Lake just 1.4 km, Tongua Lake 2.3 km, Rose Lake just 2.9 km and Moth Lake 3.3 km. There is no boundary nearby to worry about.

• Where to Fish on Mainhood Lake

  The records we hold are silent on depth, so plan to find it yourself. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Open biodiversity records for District Municipality of Muskoka list pumpkinseed, smallmouth bass, northern pike and yellow perch. The county list is broader than any single water. On Mainhood Lake the first feature you find is usually worth a session.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Seasonal averages run from -11°C in January up to 18°C in July. Winter puts a hard lid on this one. Ice is part of the season here, ending near mid April. The lid tends to go about mid April and return around early December. The strong weeks are the first after break-up and the last before the freeze. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Mainhood Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. Mapping shows no built access close by; expect to walk in from wherever you can leave the car. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Rules differ from one water to the next round here. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. The nearest alternative is Longs Lake, 1 km out. Treat Mainhood Lake as unsettled until someone local tells you otherwise.