Turtleback Lake, Ontario: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  The Manitoulin District entry here is Turtleback Lake, in Ontario. It lies 275 metres above sea level. This is a pocket water of some 5 hectares, and every part of it is reachable from the bank. Our Manitoulin District list holds plenty of bigger water. Espanola lies 25 km from the water. Little Current follows at 38 km, then Lively at 42 km. The nearest edge is a long way off, so local rules apply throughout.

• Where to Fish on Turtleback Lake

  Without a survey to go on, judge depth from how the bank falls away. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Manitoulin District records list rainbow smelt, lake whitefish and cisco among the fish reported. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. At Turtleback Lake the water rewards a slow, careful approach.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warm month here averages 19°C; the cold one sits at -11°C. Four clear seasons, with a proper winter at one end. Look for the thaw near late April; the fishing lifts straight after. Open water usually runs from late April until about early December. The strongest runs come at either end of the open season. Turtleback Lake runs to its own calendar within the local pattern.

• Tackle & Baits

  The paperwork position is blank for this one. Formal access is not mapped, so the last stretch is likely on foot. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Gates get locked out of season on water like this. Barbless rules turn up on managed water more often than not. Failing this one, try Howry Lake, 1.9 km away. Confirm before you fish Turtleback Lake.