Fishing Ridge Lake in Cochrane District, Ontario

• Overview

  Ridge Lake lies within the bounds of Cochrane District, Ontario. Height above sea level is 161 metres. At about 96 hectares, a day is enough to walk the shoreline properly. The full circuit measures close to 3.9 km on foot. On our Cochrane District list it sits near the top for size. Start from Hearst, 88 km down the road. It is 476 km to Greater Sudbury, the nearest city. Rules here are straightforward: one set of provincial rules.

• Where to Fish on Ridge Lake

  We hold no depth figure for this one. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Across Cochrane District, recorded fish include northern pike, yellow perch, white sucker and Iowa darter. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. Ridge Lake fishes better once you know its edges.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Climate records put July near 17°C and January near -20°C. The ice season is long here and the open one short. Count on hard cover from midwinter, and open water from early May. Expect the water usable from around early May until roughly mid November. The weeks after the thaw and the ones before the freeze are the strongest. Plan around that when you fish Ridge Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing on record says whether the bank is open or closed. Records list it as a natural water body rather than an impoundment. Nothing built is recorded close to the bank here. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Look for a notice board at the entrance. Some ground is open by custom rather than by right, so tread carefully. Dent Lake sits 19 km off and takes the overflow. Confirm before you fish Ridge Lake.