McQuillan Lake near Parry Sound: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  McQuillan Lake lies within the bounds of Parry Sound District, Ontario. It stands 205 metres above sea level. With some 35 hectares of water, there is room for a boat but no need of one. Bank access stretches around 4.0 km in total. Ground here is low by Ontario standards. The closest town, Parry Sound, is 20 km distant. The big place round here is Barrie, 90 km distant. Rules can differ a short way off, since the county line is near.

• Where to Fish on McQuillan Lake

  No chart reached our records; the first cast is your sounding. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Public occurrence data for Parry Sound District names smallmouth bass, pumpkinseed, yellow perch, northern pike and rock bass. Take it as the county picture rather than a promise for this water. At McQuillan Lake the water rewards a slow, careful approach.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The range across the year is -9°C to 19°C. The year splits cleanly: hard water, then open water. The open season starts with the thaw, near enough mid April. Averages suggest open water from about mid April through to roughly early December. The first weeks of open water and the last are the ones to plan for. Plan any trip to McQuillan Lake around it.

• Tackle & Baits

  Ownership and access are not documented in what we hold. Records list it as a natural water body rather than an impoundment. Formal access is not mapped, so the last stretch is likely on foot. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Where the road in crosses private land, ask first. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. Should this one be busy, Fogal Lake is 1.5 km off. For McQuillan Lake in particular, ask before you travel.