Upper Trout Lake near Bancroft: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Upper Trout Lake is a Hastings County water, Ontario side. The country here is mixed forest. Surface area runs to about 9 hectares — small enough to read in one session. About 2.7 km of bank, so nothing stays unexplored for long. Nearest town is Bancroft, 9.7 km off. Kingston is the closest city, 139 km away. The line between counties passes nearby, which can change who manages the water.

• Where to Fish on Upper Trout Lake

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Fish documented in Hastings County include rock bass, smallmouth bass, pumpkinseed and yellow perch. The county figures include rivers and lakes alike. On Upper Trout Lake the first feature you find is usually worth a session.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between January at about -11°C and July at about 18°C, the water has a wide range to work through. Cold winters and warm summers give a wide working range. The lid usually sets by midwinter and gives way around mid April. From about mid April to around early December, expect open water on the long-run figures. The strong weeks are the first after break-up and the last before the freeze. It sets the rhythm of the year at Upper Trout Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access status is simply unknown for this water. Records list it as a natural water body rather than an impoundment. Nothing built is recorded close to the bank here. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Check locally before you travel, because a wasted drive is a long one. Some ground is open by custom rather than by right, so tread carefully. The nearest alternative is Little Trout Lake, 2.5 km out. Check the position on Upper Trout Lake before loading the car.