Phipps Lake, Ontario: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Phipps Lake falls in Nipissing District, part of Ontario. This is lake country bush ground. At about 27 hectares, a day is enough to walk the shoreline properly. Bank access stretches around 5.0 km in total. It sits higher than most water we list in Ontario. Start from United Townships of Dysart, Dudley, Harcourt, Guilford, Harburn, Bruton, Havelock, Eyre and Clyde, 33 km down the road. The big place round here is Barrie, 148 km distant. One jurisdiction covers this water end to end.

• Where to Fish on Phipps Lake

  Depth figures are not published for this one. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Species logged across Nipissing District include smallmouth bass, cisco, yellow perch and pumpkinseed. These are county-wide records, so not all of them will be in this water. The shape of Phipps Lake decides where the fish sit.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-run averages give July about 18°C and January about -12°C. Cold winters and warm summers give a wide working range. Once it clears, about late April, the fishing comes on quickly. Ice clears near late April and comes back about late November in a typical year. The strong weeks are the first after break-up and the last before the freeze. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Phipps Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access status is simply unknown for this water. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. Overnight stays are possible 190 m away. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Where the road in crosses private land, ask first. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. For a change of water, Plough Lake is 0.8 km distant. Confirm before you fish Phipps Lake.