Marten Lake Fishing Guide, Nipissing District, Ontario

• Overview

  Marten Lake is a Nipissing District water, in Ontario. The land about it is pine and birch. Nearest town is West Nipissing, 40 km off. Beyond it, Sturgeon Falls at 40 km and North Bay at 48 km. Neighbouring water: Frenchman's Bay (3.5 km), Christie Lake 4.1 km away, Bidwell Lake (4.2 km), Spot Lake 4.5 km away and Laroche Lake (5.2 km). One jurisdiction covers this water end to end.

• Where to Fish on Marten Lake

  Depth is not on record here, so the bank has to tell you. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Fish documented in Nipissing District include smallmouth bass, cisco and yellow perch. These are county-wide records, so not all of them will be in this water. On Marten Lake that means starting tight and working out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warmest month averages 18°C, the coldest about -14°C. The freeze arrives properly here and holds. Break-up comes around late April, and the run that follows is short and strong. Average temperatures cross freezing around late April in spring and again near late November in autumn. Early summer and early autumn carry the open-water season. Plan around that when you fish Marten Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing on record says whether the bank is open or closed. Wicksteed Lake Boat Launch sits about 900 m away and carries the launch. 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. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. Frenchman's Bay sits 3.5 km off and takes the overflow. Check the position at Marten Lake before loading the car.