Ridout Lake Fishing near Huntsville, Ontario

• Overview

  Out in District Municipality of Muskoka, Ontario, sits Ridout Lake. It stands 349 metres above sea level. Roughly 51 hectares: a morning covers one end, an afternoon the other. Bank access stretches around 4.8 km in total. Some 26 km away sits Huntsville, the nearest settlement. After that come Bracebridge at 31 km and Haliburton Village at 40 km. This one is safely inside the county line.

• Where to Fish on Ridout Lake

  Depth here is unknown, so count the lead down before committing. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. District Municipality of Muskoka records list pumpkinseed, smallmouth bass, northern pike and yellow perch among the fish reported. The county list is broader than any single water. Anyone new to Ridout Lake should walk it once before setting up.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July to average close to 18°C, with January the cold end at about -11°C. Cold winters and warm summers give a wide working range. Hard cover is dependable here; it goes around mid April. The lid tends to go about mid April and return around early December. The weeks after the thaw and the ones before the freeze are the strongest. On Ridout Lake that shapes the whole year.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access is not recorded for this water. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. Mapping shows no built access close by; expect to walk in from wherever you can leave the car. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. A phone call first saves an afternoon. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. If the gate is shut, Splatter Lake at 1.1 km is the nearest alternative. For Ridout Lake in particular, ask before you travel.