Papoose Lake Fishing in Cochrane District, Ontario

• Overview

  Set in Cochrane District, Ontario, this is Papoose Lake. The surroundings are boreal forest. Around 77 hectares of surface means several distinct areas to work. The margin runs to about 5.8 km in total. It lies lower than most water we list in Ontario. Longlac lies 89 km from the water. The big place round here is Thunder Bay, 329 km distant. The county line is nowhere near, so one local authority covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Papoose Lake

  Our records hold no depth for this water. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Records held for Cochrane District cover northern pike, yellow perch, white sucker and Iowa darter. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. Anyone new to Papoose Lake should walk it once before setting up.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages here run 16°C at the top of summer and -20°C at the bottom of winter. The window is narrow, and fish feed hard while it lasts. The lid usually sets by midwinter and gives way around early May. Break-up sits around early May on average, with the water closing again about mid November. Fish feed hardest at the start and the close of the open season. Plan around that when you fish Papoose Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access is not recorded for this water. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. We find no slipway, car park or made path within a short radius, so treat access as rough. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Some banks are open only from a marked point. A polite question at the farm gate opens more banks than anything else. Supawn Lake at 11 km is the sensible second choice. Check the position at Papoose Lake before loading the car.