O'Reilly Lake Fishing Guide, Frontenac County, Ontario

• Overview

  O'Reilly Lake lies within the bounds of Frontenac County, Ontario. The ground around here is pine and birch. It measures about 44 hectares, which is a comfortable size for bank fishing. Shoreline comes to about 4.0 km, small enough to learn in a day. It lies lower than most water we list in Ontario. Nearest place of any size is Sharbot Lake, 7.6 km away. Kingston is the closest city, 60 km away. It sits well inside the county, so one set of rules covers it.

• Where to Fish on O'Reilly Lake

  We hold no survey for this water; read the slope of the shoreline instead. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Frontenac County records list pumpkinseed, bluegill and rock bass among the fish reported. The county list is broader than any single water. Fish O'Reilly Lake to its features, not to its size.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Average temperature peaks around 20°C in July and bottoms out near -10°C in January. Expect a real winter and a strong spring after it. Ice is part of the season here, ending near mid April. In an average year the thaw lands around mid April and the freeze near early December. From the thaw to midsummer the fishing improves week by week. It holds true on O'Reilly Lake more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access status is simply unknown for this water. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. There is a campsite 660 m from the water. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Check locally before you travel, because a wasted drive is a long one. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. Should this one be busy, Little Canoe Lake is 1.7 km off. Check the position at O'Reilly Lake before loading the car.