McCrae Lake Fishing Guide, District Municipality of Muskoka, Ontario

• Overview

  The District Municipality of Muskoka end of Ontario holds McCrae Lake. It stands 176 metres above sea level. The water covers around 2.37 sq km, which puts most of it out of reach from the bank. On our District Municipality of Muskoka list it sits near the top for size. Penetanguishene sits 18 km from here and is the nearest stop. The nearest city of size is Barrie, 60 km away. There is no boundary nearby to worry about.

• Where to Fish on McCrae Lake

  Our records carry no depth, so judge it from the bank. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Fish documented in District Municipality of Muskoka include pumpkinseed, smallmouth bass and northern pike. Records at county level tell you what is around, not what is stocked here. On McCrae Lake the quiet end is the one worth the extra effort.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July to average close to 19°C, with January the cold end at about -9°C. Cold winters and warm summers give a wide working range. Once it clears, about mid April, the fishing comes on quickly. Break-up sits around mid April on average, with the water closing again about early December. June through September is the settled part of the year, with the shoulders busier for fish. The season on McCrae Lake follows the weather closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public data does not answer the access question here. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. You can camp about 350 m away, going by the mapping. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Some banks are open only from a marked point. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. If the gate is shut, Stuart Lake at 1.8 km is the nearest alternative. Nothing on McCrae Lake should be assumed from this page alone.