Fishing Middle Shanty Lake in Parry Sound District, Ontario

• Overview

  Middle Shanty Lake belongs to Parry Sound District, Ontario. It sits in lake country bush. It measures about 33 hectares, which is a comfortable size for bank fishing. There is roughly 3.2 km of shoreline here, which is a short walk end to end. By elevation it is in the upper part of our Ontario listings. The closest town, South River, is 30 km away. Huntsville is 40 km and Powassan 45 km. Rules here are straightforward: one set of provincial rules.

• Where to Fish on Middle Shanty 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. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. County-wide records name smallmouth bass, pumpkinseed and yellow perch. It is the county picture; the agency list is water-specific. The shape of Middle Shanty Lake rewards a slow walk along one bank.

• Seasonal Patterns

  In an average year July sits at 18°C and January at -12°C. Winter closes the water for a while, and the reopening is worth catching. Hard water holds through the cold months, breaking up near late April. On the long-run averages the water opens up around late April and starts locking again about late November. Just after the ice goes and just before it returns, the fishing lifts. On Middle Shanty Lake that shapes the whole year.

• Tackle & Baits

  Who may fish here is not settled in anything we hold. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. There is no mapped parking or launch close by, which usually means walking in. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Gates get locked out of season on water like this. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. Failing this one, try Little Trout Lake, 0.6 km away. Confirm before you fish Middle Shanty Lake.