Fishing at Penfold Lake, District Municipality of Muskoka, Ontario

• Overview

  This water sits in District Municipality of Muskoka, Ontario. It stands 279 metres above sea level. It measures about 32 hectares, which is a comfortable size for bank fishing. The whole outline is near 2.7 km, and most of it is walkable. The nearest town is Huntsville, 9 km away. Bracebridge is 26 km away, with Gravenhurst at 39 km. There is no boundary nearby to worry about.

• Where to Fish on Penfold Lake

  Our records carry no depth, so judge it from the bank. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. District Municipality of Muskoka records list pumpkinseed, smallmouth bass and northern pike among the fish reported. County records show the wider picture rather than this one place. Penfold Lake fishes better once you know its edges.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The year swings from about -11°C in January to roughly 19°C in July. The middle months are generous; the ends are demanding. Expect a solid lid for months and a thaw around mid April. Break-up sits around mid April on average, with the water closing again about early December. The open run goes from the thaw to the freeze, and April through October covers most of it. Plan any trip to Penfold Lake around it.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public sources are silent on who controls the bank. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. There are picnic tables 630 m away. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Where access is informal, keep it that way by behaving. Some stretches are reserved and marked as such on the ground. Failing this one, try Spider Lake, 0.8 km away. Rules at Penfold Lake are worth checking on the day.