Shrew Lake, Ontario: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Shrew Lake lies in Nipissing District, Ontario. It sits in mixed forest. Around 36 hectares of surface means several distinct areas to work. The nearest town is Chalk River, 60 km away. United Townships of Dysart, Dudley, Harcourt, Guilford, Harburn, Bruton, Havelock, Eyre and Clyde follows at 62 km, then Deep River at 63 km. This one is safely inside the county line.

• Where to Fish on Shrew Lake

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Across Nipissing District, recorded fish include smallmouth bass, cisco, yellow perch and pumpkinseed. What holds for the county may not hold for this water. Read Shrew Lake for ten minutes before the first cast goes out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  July runs about 18°C on average, January about -13°C. Cold locks it up for a good stretch each year. Once it clears, about late April, the fishing comes on quickly. Climate figures give an open season running late April to late November. Fishing peaks soon after break-up and again before the cold returns. Time your trip to Shrew Lake by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  The rules here are undocumented as far as public sources go. There is camping recorded roughly 160 m off. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Some banks are open only from a marked point. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. Failing this one, try Mudville Lake, 0.8 km away. Check the current arrangement for Shrew Lake.