Fishing at Stump Lake, Lanark County, Ontario

• Overview

  Stump Lake lies within the bounds of Lanark County, Ontario. It lies 188 metres above sea level. It measures some 2.59 sq km, and wind has room to build across it. Around 26 km of margin, so directions matter more than a general plan. It is among the larger waters listed here for Lanark County. Start from Sharbot Lake, 20 km down the road. It is 81 km to Kingston, the nearest city. A border sits close enough to be relevant to the paperwork.

• Where to Fish on Stump Lake

  No chart reached our records; the first cast is your sounding. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Records held for Lanark County cover pumpkinseed, rock bass, smallmouth bass and bluegill. Some of the species recorded here are protected or tightly regulated, so check what may be targeted before you fish. At Stump Lake light and wind decide more than tackle does.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The year swings from about -11°C in January to roughly 20°C in July. A hard winter is normal, and the thaw brings a strong few weeks. Ice is part of the season here, ending near mid April. Ice clears near mid April and comes back about early December in a typical year. The strongest runs come at either end of the open season. Plan any trip to Stump Lake around it.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether you may fish here is not something records settle. No dam controls it, and the level follows the season. Mapping shows an empty shoreline: no ramp, no jetty, no marked entry. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. If the gate is shut, McDougalls Mud Lake at 3.3 km is the nearest alternative. None of that is settled for Stump Lake in what we hold.