McEwing Lake Fishing in Cochrane District, Ontario

• Overview

  Set in Cochrane District, McEwing Lake is an Ontario water. It sits in northern bush country. It measures some 1.72 sq km, and wind has room to build across it. Shoreline length is close to 15 km, and each section fishes a little differently. Size puts it in the front rank of our Cochrane District list. The nearest town is Hornepayne, 36 km away. Further out sit Hearst (69 km) and Manitouwadge (101 km). Rules here are straightforward: one set of provincial rules.

• Where to Fish on McEwing Lake

  There is no recorded depth, so work from what you can see. 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. Survey and observation records for Cochrane District include northern pike, yellow perch and white sucker. The list covers the county rather than this water alone, so treat it as a guide. At McEwing Lake the water rewards a slow, careful approach.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between January at about -19°C and July at about 16°C, the water has a wide range to work through. A short, intense season is the rule this far north. Count the season from break-up, usually early May. Averages suggest open water from about early May through to roughly mid November. The strongest runs come at either end of the open season. It sets the rhythm of the year at McEwing Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether you may fish here is not something records settle. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. Nothing is listed nearby for parking or launching a boat. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Ask in the nearest town if you are unsure. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. For a change of water, Budd Lake is 1.1 km distant. Confirm access to McEwing Lake locally before you travel.