Fishing at Michie Lake, Cochrane District, Ontario

• Overview

  The Cochrane District end of Ontario holds Michie Lake. The water sits 337 metres up. It runs to roughly 45 hectares — big enough to hold fish away from the bank, small enough to learn. Bank access stretches around 3.1 km in total. The nearest town is Kirkland Lake, 49 km away. Timmins is 54 km away, with Iroquois Falls at 58 km. It sits well inside its county, with no border complications.

• Where to Fish on Michie Lake

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. County-wide records name northern pike, yellow perch, white sucker and Iowa darter. The list covers the county rather than this water alone, so treat it as a guide. On Michie Lake the obvious spot is not always the productive one.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warm month here averages 17°C; the cold one sits at -18°C. Seasons are distinct, and each one fishes differently. After early May the shallows warm and the fish move up. The season between ice runs from about early May to mid November. The open run goes from the thaw to the freeze, and April through October covers most of it. The season on Michie Lake rarely departs from it.

• Tackle & Baits

  No access rule appears in what we hold. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. The map shows no ramp or car park nearby, so this is a walk-in water. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Ask in the nearest town if you are unsure. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. The nearest alternative is Lavoie Lake, 1.7 km out. Check the position at Michie Lake before loading the car.