Fishing Woods Lake in Parry Sound District, Ontario

• Overview

  Woods Lake is a Parry Sound District water, Ontario side. Beyond the shoreline you have mixed forest. With some 11 hectares of water, there is room for a boat but no need of one. The bank runs about 2.6 km all the way round, so one visit can cover most of it. Huntsville is the closest town at 31 km. For a city, Barrie is 97 km off. The county edge is within a short distance of the bank.

• Where to Fish on Woods Lake

  Depth here is unknown, so count the lead down before committing. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Species logged across Parry Sound District include smallmouth bass, pumpkinseed, yellow perch, northern pike and rock bass. Records at county level tell you what is around, not what is stocked here. Take Woods Lake a stretch at a time.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages here run 18°C at the top of summer and -10°C at the bottom of winter. A hard winter is normal, and the thaw brings a strong few weeks. The lid arrives early and lasts until roughly mid April. Ice clears near mid April and comes back about early December in a typical year. June through September is the settled part of the year, with the shoulders busier for fish. Expect Woods Lake to follow that timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  Our records carry no access rule either way. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. Cardwell Township Old Growth Conservation Reserve covers ground next to the water; its rules will apply on that side. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Rules differ from one water to the next round here. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. Ottaway Lake at 1.2 km is the sensible second choice. For Woods Lake in particular, ask before you travel.