Fishing McCarthy Lake in Perth County, Ontario

• Overview

  Within Perth County, Ontario, you have McCarthy Lake. Elevation runs to 360 metres. About 4 hectares of surface, which puts the far bank inside easy sight. The town to know is Stratford, 1.6 km out. Further out sit Tavistock (9.5 km) and Wellesley (18 km). Alternatives close at hand: Shakespeare Pond within 8.1 km, Harrington Pond 15 km away, Wildwood Lake within 16 km, Sunova Lake 20 km away and Embro Pond within 22 km. Two sets of local rules meet not far from this water.

• Where to Fish on McCarthy Lake

  No figure exists for depth, so let the water show you. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. Public occurrence data for Perth County names bluegill, brown bullhead, green sunfish and least darter. County data is a starting point rather than a guarantee. Work McCarthy Lake in sections rather than trying to cover it.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warm month here averages 20°C; the cold one sits at -7°C. Winter shuts things down for a spell, then spring reopens them fast. Break-up comes around mid April, and the run that follows is short and strong. Climate averages put the opening at about mid April and the closing near mid December. Just after the ice goes and just before it returns, the fishing lifts. Plan any trip to McCarthy Lake around it.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access is not recorded for this water. There is a car park 180 m from the bank. Facilities include toilets around 1.4 km from here. For the catfish, fish bottom baits into the deeper holes and let them sit. Ask in the nearest town if you are unsure. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. Shakespeare Pond at 8.1 km is the sensible second choice. Treat McCarthy Lake as unsettled until someone local tells you otherwise.