Fishing at Perch Lake, Parry Sound District, Ontario

• Overview

  The Parry Sound District end of Ontario holds Perch Lake. The country here is mixed forest. At about 19 hectares, a day is enough to walk the shoreline properly. With about 2.8 km of edge, you can try several depths in one session. South River lies 32 km from the water. Then Powassan, 38 km, and Callander, 48 km. It lies deep inside the county rather than near an edge.

• Where to Fish on Perch Lake

  Depth figures are not published for this one. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. Records held for Parry Sound District cover smallmouth bass, pumpkinseed and yellow perch. The list covers the county rather than this water alone, so treat it as a guide. Read Perch Lake before you fish it and the day goes better.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Average temperature peaks around 18°C in July and bottoms out near -11°C in January. Spring and autumn carry the fishing; summer and winter test it. Hard cover is dependable here; it goes around mid April. Break-up near mid April, freeze-up near early December: that is the shape of an average year. The open run goes from the thaw to the freeze, and April through October covers most of it. Plan around that when you fish Perch Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  The paperwork position is blank for this one. Records list it as a natural water body rather than an impoundment. Mapping shows no built access close by; expect to walk in from wherever you can leave the car. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Rules differ from one water to the next round here. Where parking is tight, arriving early solves most problems. The nearest alternative is Clear Lake, 0.8 km out. Check the position at Perch Lake before loading the car.