Muskrat Lake Fishing near Eganville, Ontario

• Overview

  Look for Muskrat Lake in the Renfrew County part of Ontario. It stands 292 metres above sea level. The water measures roughly 4 hectares, so nothing here is far from anything else. It is one of the smaller waters we list in Renfrew County. Nearest place of any size is Eganville, 44 km away. Then Bancroft, 48 km, and Petawawa, 56 km. You are close to a county edge here; who manages the access can change within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on Muskrat Lake

  Our records hold no depth for this water. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. Records held for Renfrew County cover smallmouth bass, pumpkinseed, yellow perch, rock bass and brook trout. Take it as the county picture rather than a promise for this water. Muskrat Lake fishes better once you know its edges.

• Seasonal Patterns

  July runs about 18°C on average, January about -13°C. Expect a real winter and a strong spring after it. After late April the shallows warm and the fish move up. Break-up near late April, freeze-up near early December: that is the shape of an average year. Reckon on open water from spring through to late autumn, with May and June the strongest. Plan around that when you fish Muskrat Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether you may fish here is not something records settle. 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. Local rules can differ across the county line, so check where you stand. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. Luckovitch Lake at 1.2 km is the sensible second choice. Confirm access to Muskrat Lake locally before you travel.