Rit Lake near Mattawa: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  The Nipissing District entry here is Rit Lake, in Ontario. It lies 308 metres above sea level. Around 43 hectares of surface means several distinct areas to work. A shoreline of some 3.2 km keeps the choices simple. Mattawa lies 30 km from the water. After that come Deep River at 67 km and Chalk River at 73 km. Neighbouring water: Paddy Lake sits 1.9 km out, Mums Lake 3 km away, Mart Lake sits 3.6 km out, Tower Lake 3.6 km away and Span Lake sits 3.6 km out. This one is safely inside the county line.

• Where to Fish on Rit Lake

  Depth remains unrecorded, so treat the first session as a survey. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Records held for Nipissing District cover smallmouth bass, cisco, yellow perch, pumpkinseed and rock bass. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. Treat Rit Lake as a water to read rather than to cover.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Climate normals give 18°C for July and -13°C for January. The year splits cleanly: hard water, then open water. The open season starts with the thaw, near enough late April. From about late April to around late November, expect open water on the long-run figures. Right after break-up, and again as the nights sharpen, is when to go. Plan any trip to Rit Lake around it.

• Tackle & Baits

  No access rule appears in what we hold. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. Mapping shows an empty shoreline: no ramp, no jetty, no marked entry. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Parking space is the usual limit rather than the bank itself. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. Paddy Lake at 1.9 km is the sensible second choice. Confirm access to Rit Lake locally before you travel.