McCoy Lake Fishing in Nipissing District, Ontario

• Overview

  McCoy Lake lies within the bounds of Nipissing District, Ontario. It sits in pine and birch country. With some 14 hectares of water, there is room for a boat but no need of one. Shoreline comes to about 2.0 km, small enough to learn in a day. By elevation it is in the upper part of our Ontario listings. The nearest city of size is Barrie, 165 km away. It sits well inside its county, with no border complications.

• Where to Fish on McCoy Lake

  Depth here is unknown, so count the lead down before committing. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Nipissing District records list smallmouth bass, cisco, yellow perch, pumpkinseed and rock bass among the fish reported. Records at county level tell you what is around, not what is stocked here. Read McCoy Lake for ten minutes before the first cast goes out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warm month here averages 18°C; the cold one sits at -12°C. Seasons are distinct, and each one fishes differently. Firm cover through the cold months, then open water from late April. The season between ice runs from about late April to late November. Right after break-up, and again as the nights sharpen, is when to go. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to McCoy Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. Records list it as a natural water body rather than an impoundment. The map shows no ramp or car park nearby, so this is a walk-in water. 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. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. Luckasavitch Lake, 1.7 km away, makes the obvious fallback. Confirm access to McCoy Lake locally before you travel.