Reid Lake in Frontenac County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Within Frontenac County, Ontario, you have Reid Lake. The setting is pine and birch on every side. Roughly 1.11 sq km of surface: treat each bay as a water in its own right. The outline measures near 9.8 km, so local knowledge counts. It is among the larger waters listed here for Frontenac County. Nearest place of any size is Sharbot Lake, 38 km away. The nearest city of size is Nepean, 99 km away. The nearest boundary is well away, so one set of rules covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Reid Lake

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. County-wide records name pumpkinseed, bluegill, rock bass, smallmouth bass and yellow perch. Records at county level tell you what is around, not what is stocked here. The near bank of Reid Lake is often the one people ignore.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July to average close to 19°C, with January the cold end at about -12°C. Cold locks it up for a good stretch each year. Look for the thaw near late April; the fishing lifts straight after. Climate averages put the opening at about late April and the closing near early December. The open run goes from the thaw to the freeze, and April through October covers most of it. Time your trip to Reid Lake by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether you may fish here is not something records settle. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. Mapping is blank for access, so scout the approach before committing the car. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Read any posted signs at the access point rather than assuming. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. If the gate is shut, Hemlock Lake at 1.1 km is the nearest alternative. Confirm access to Reid Lake locally before you travel.