Minnow Lake in Peterborough County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Peterborough County, Ontario, is where Minnow Lake sits. Land around it is pine and birch. The water measures roughly 3 hectares, so nothing here is far from anything else. Most waters listed here for Peterborough County are larger. Nearest town is Lakefield, 26 km off. For a city, Oshawa is 101 km off. No boundary runs near, so the local rules hold throughout.

• Where to Fish on Minnow Lake

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. Survey and observation records for Peterborough County include rock bass, pumpkinseed and smallmouth bass. It is the county picture; the agency list is water-specific. Anyone new to Minnow Lake should walk it once before setting up.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warmest month averages 19°C, the coldest about -10°C. Cold winters and warm summers give a wide working range. Winter locks it down, and mid April brings it back. Break-up sits around mid April on average, with the water closing again about early December. June through September is the settled part of the year, with the shoulders busier for fish. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Minnow Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public data does not answer the access question here. There is no mapped parking or launch nearby, which keeps numbers down. 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. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. McGinnis Lake sits 2.1 km off and takes the overflow. Confirm before you fish Minnow Lake.