Fishing Richards Lake in Cochrane District, Ontario

• Overview

  Richards Lake lies in Cochrane District, Ontario. It sits at 264 metres above sea level. Roughly 3.12 sq km of surface: treat each bay as a water in its own right. There is roughly 10 km of bank, more than one visit can cover properly. Few waters listed in Cochrane District are bigger. Nearest place of any size is Moose Factory, 94 km away. For a city, Greater Sudbury is 443 km off. There is no boundary nearby to worry about.

• Where to Fish on Richards Lake

  No depth figure has reached our records, which makes a plummet useful. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. County-wide records name northern pike, yellow perch and white sucker. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. Fish Richards Lake where the bottom changes rather than where it looks deep.

• Seasonal Patterns

  In an average year July sits at 16°C and January at -20°C. Cold dominates the year and the fishing works around it. The open season starts with the thaw, near enough mid May. In an average year the thaw lands around mid May and the freeze near mid November. The strong weeks are the first after break-up and the last before the freeze. It sets the rhythm of the year at Richards Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access status is simply unknown for this water. No dam controls it, and the level follows the season. The map shows no ramp or car park nearby, so this is a walk-in water. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. A landowner's word beats anything printed elsewhere. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. Should this one be busy, Bodell Lake is 2.3 km off. Check the position on Richards Lake before loading the car.