Fishing at Shingle Lake, Renfrew County, Ontario

• Overview

  Ontario holds Shingle Lake, in Renfrew County. The water sits 271 metres up. At 7 hectares it is the sort of place you fish for an evening rather than a day. Mattawa at 46 km is the nearest place to stop. The nearest city of size is Gatineau, 204 km away. Also within reach: Little Marten Lake at about 1.3 km, Big Shingle Lake just 1.3 km, Harvey's Shanty Lake at about 1.9 km, Valiant Lake just 2.5 km and Quartz Lake at about 3 km. It lies deep inside the county rather than near an edge.

• Where to Fish on Shingle Lake

  Our records carry no depth, so judge it from the bank. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Across Renfrew County, recorded fish include smallmouth bass, pumpkinseed, yellow perch and rock bass. These are county-wide records, so not all of them will be in this water. Shingle Lake responds to conditions more than to tactics.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The range across the year is -13°C to 18°C. Winter shuts the surface down for months. Once it clears, about late April, the fishing comes on quickly. Climate figures give an open season running late April to late November. The shoulder weeks of the open season are the productive ones. Plan any trip to Shingle Lake around it.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public sources are silent on who controls the bank. 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. Local rules can differ across the county line, so check where you stand. Some stretches are reserved and marked as such on the ground. Little Marten Lake sits 1.3 km off and takes the overflow. For Shingle Lake in particular, ask before you travel.