Fishing at Sandy Bay Lake, Frontenac County, Ontario

• Overview

  Frontenac County in Ontario is where Sandy Bay Lake sits. It stands 355 metres above sea level. Small at around 4 hectares: two anglers spread out cover most of it. Our Frontenac County list holds plenty of bigger water. Supplies mean a trip to Sharbot Lake, 36 km off. For a city, Kingston is 97 km off. No boundary runs near, so the local rules hold throughout.

• Where to Fish on Sandy Bay Lake

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Reported across Frontenac County: pumpkinseed, bluegill, rock bass, smallmouth bass and yellow perch. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. The shape of Sandy Bay Lake rewards a slow walk along one bank.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The year swings from about -12°C in January to roughly 19°C in July. Fishing here follows the temperature more than the calendar. Expect a solid lid for months and a thaw around late April. Break-up near late April, freeze-up near early December: that is the shape of an average year. June through September is the settled part of the year, with the shoulders busier for fish. At Sandy Bay Lake the season follows that pattern closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access status is simply unknown for this water. Access points are not mapped for this water, which suits people who like quiet. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Look for a notice board at the entrance. Some stretches are reserved and marked as such on the ground. Big Lake at 1 km is the sensible second choice. Signs at Sandy Bay Lake carry more weight than any list.