Union Lake in Peterborough County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Union Lake falls in Peterborough County, part of Ontario. It sits in rolling bush country. It runs to roughly 15 hectares — big enough to hold fish away from the bank, small enough to learn. There is roughly 3.7 km of shoreline here, which is a short walk end to end. Some 28 km away sits Bobcaygeon, the nearest settlement. It is 100 km to Barrie, the nearest city. Two sets of local rules meet not far from this water.

• Where to Fish on Union Lake

  Depth figures are not published for this one. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Public occurrence data for Peterborough County names rock bass, pumpkinseed and smallmouth bass. Take it as the county picture rather than a promise for this water. Read Union Lake before you fish it and the day goes better.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-term averages put July at about 19°C and January near -10°C. Seasons are distinct, and each one fishes differently. Once it clears, about mid April, the fishing comes on quickly. Averages suggest open water from about mid April through to roughly early December. June through September is the settled part of the year, with the shoulders busier for fish. Plan any trip to Union Lake around it.

• Tackle & Baits

  The paperwork position is blank for this one. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. Access is unmapped, which usually means a farm track and a walk. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Gates get locked out of season on water like this. Close seasons apply to some species and not others. Birchbark Lake, 3.1 km away, makes the obvious fallback. Treat access at Union Lake as something to verify.