Rat Lake near Deep River: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Rat Lake falls in Renfrew County, part of Ontario. The bank is 252 metres above sea level. The water measures roughly 5 hectares, so nothing here is far from anything else. It is one of the smaller waters we list in Renfrew County. The town to know is Deep River, 25 km out. Chalk River follows at 30 km, then Petawawa at 48 km. The county line is nowhere near, so one local authority covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Rat Lake

  Depth remains unrecorded, so treat the first session as a survey. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. Records held for Renfrew County cover smallmouth bass, pumpkinseed, yellow perch and rock bass. Take it as the county picture rather than a promise for this water. Take Rat Lake a stretch at a time.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The seasonal spread runs -13°C to 19°C. Cold locks it up for a good stretch each year. After late April the shallows warm and the fish move up. Ice usually gives way near late April, and forms again about late November. The weeks after the thaw and the ones before the freeze are the strongest. Time your trip to Rat Lake by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  Our records carry no access rule either way. Nothing formal is recorded here: no ramp, no car park, no marked path. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Some banks are open only from a marked point. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. Failing this one, try Trout Lake, 0.8 km away. For Rat Lake in particular, ask before you travel.