Yarrow Lake, Ontario: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Yarrow Lake is a Parry Sound District water, in Ontario. Elevation runs to 235 metres. Roughly 11 hectares: a morning covers one end, an afternoon the other. There is roughly 1.8 km of shoreline here, which is a short walk end to end. Nearest town is Parry Sound, 13 km off. Then Huntsville, 52 km, and Bracebridge, 54 km. The county line is nowhere near, so one local authority covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Yarrow Lake

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Records held for Parry Sound District cover smallmouth bass, pumpkinseed, yellow perch and northern pike. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. The shape of Yarrow Lake decides where the fish sit.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Temperature averages peak at 19°C in July and bottom out at -10°C in January. Winter shuts the surface down for months. Firm cover through the cold months, then open water from mid April. In an average year the thaw lands around mid April and the freeze near early December. May into June fishes hardest, and September gives a second good stretch before the lid returns. On Yarrow Lake that shapes the whole year.

• Tackle & Baits

  We have no record of the rules that apply on this bank. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. Public data shows nothing built here, so treat the whole approach as informal. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. A phone call first saves an afternoon. Some stretches are reserved and marked as such on the ground. If the gate is shut, McGee Lake at 0.8 km is the nearest alternative. Check the position on Yarrow Lake before loading the car.