McDonald Lake, Ontario: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Look for McDonald Lake in the Nipissing District part of Ontario. The surface lies 230 metres up. With some 15 hectares of water, there is room for a boat but no need of one. The whole outline is near 1.4 km, and most of it is walkable. It lies lower than most water we list in Ontario. Chalk River lies 32 km from the water. Further out sit Deep River (37 km) and Petawawa (38 km). This one is safely inside the county line.

• Where to Fish on McDonald Lake

  The records we hold are silent on depth, so plan to find it yourself. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Reported across Nipissing District: smallmouth bass, cisco, yellow perch, pumpkinseed and rock bass. These are county-wide records, so not all of them will be in this water. Fish McDonald Lake where the bottom changes rather than where it looks deep.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The year swings from about -13°C in January to roughly 18°C in July. A solid cap is the normal state through winter. Ice-out usually falls in late April, and the weeks after it fish hardest. Averages place the thaw at late April and the freeze at late November. The strongest runs come at either end of the open season. It holds true on McDonald Lake more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  The access position is unclear from public sources. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. You can camp 1.2 km off, which suits an early start. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. A phone call first saves an afternoon. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. Failing this one, try Lower Spectacle Lake, 1.7 km away. For McDonald Lake in particular, ask before you travel.