Second James Lake, Ontario: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Renfrew County, Ontario, is where Second James Lake sits. It sits in rolling bush. With some 20 hectares of water, there is room for a boat but no need of one. The full circuit measures close to 2.2 km on foot. It lies lower than most water we list in Ontario. The nearest town is Deep River, 7.8 km away. Chalk River is 13 km away, with Petawawa at 32 km. It lies deep inside the county rather than near an edge.

• Where to Fish on Second James Lake

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. Survey and observation records for Renfrew County include smallmouth bass, pumpkinseed and yellow perch. These are county-wide records, so not all of them will be in this water. On Second James Lake the quiet end is the one worth the extra effort.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages here run 19°C at the top of summer and -13°C at the bottom of winter. Cold locks it up for a good stretch each year. Hard water holds through the cold months, breaking up near late April. Averages place the thaw at late April and the freeze at late November. Fishing peaks soon after break-up and again before the cold returns. Expect Second James Lake to follow that timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access is not recorded for this water. No dam controls it, and the level follows the season. Mapping is blank for access, so scout the approach before committing the car. 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. If the gate is shut, Long Lake at 1.3 km is the nearest alternative. The position on Second James Lake is worth confirming on the day.