Foots Bay Lake joseph

[Ice Hole]

Can anyone recommend public parking close to Foots Bay?
I've never been there so any info would be greatly appreciated

[blasted_saber]

The only place to park is the side road at the top of the hill up from the launch. You'll know what I mean when you see it. Drive down to the launch, unload your gear, drive back up the hill and park on the side of it.

Mapquest says its called "Gostick" Road. You wont miss it.....everyone else will be parked there too.

[danbob]

Any other access points with parking? That one tends to fill very quickly. Ive only stuck around the foots bay area but may venture elsewhere.

[blasted_saber]

Appian Way, but the fishing is not as good there. Beyond that parking and access is private and you will need to pay

[RHYBAK]

Public access is very limited on this lake.
The rich and Famous own most of the land which make for difficult access.
What is available will not likely be posted on a public forum as it will fill up very fast.
Years ago there was no internet and people would venture up and research access on their own as I did for the last 40 years.

I wish you luck and don't trespass.
Footes Bay very public
CNIB limited public
Gordon Bay you will REALLY need permission

[seabast]

Public access is very limited on this lake.
The rich and Famous own most of the land which make for difficult access.
What is available will not likely be posted on a public forum as it will fill up very fast.
Years ago there was no internet and people would venture up and research access on their own as I did for the last 40 years.

You got that right, this places will not be shared....

[danbob]

Figured. I knew a place on the north end, but havent been for years, not sure if it still exists. I will probably just venture from foots bay, bringing the sled along. Any general areas outside of foots better for size? I strictly catch and release, have only managed to find 2/3lbers, the one thing i learned quickly is that shallower water seems to be more productive.

[RHYBAK]

I have been fishing this lake for 45 years.
I have noticed the size of the fish are getting smaller and smaller throughout the years.
I used to catch 20 -30 pound fish regularly.
As fishing pressure increased,the larger fish slowly disappeared .
2 to 3 pounds will be you're average now and a bigger fish is really a bonus.

My biggest is on the wall at home at 35 pounds.
Good luck see one like that anymore.

[auger]

I agree with rhybak on this one.

[Avid Angler]

The place we choose to access the lake was busier than ever on Sunday, I could only imagine what Foote's Bay looked like...

When we started the day we were alone. A few other groups followed our tracks(slush central) decided to set-up near us. It was freaking cold, I didn't leave my hut and took 1hr to warm heater buddy to be able to fire it up. With the big buddy running on med the holes were freezing over and line sticking to guides although I did manage to put a pattern together catching 3 fish during that time. It was my turn for the big one I suppose as I connected with a decent 10lb class fish. Sometime through the morning people zoned in on us and our constant action when I jumped outta hut to lend a hand to my buddy in his realized every other angler in the area had congregated within 15 meters of our 2 portable huts. We had our fish and share of the cold and were back home by noon.
Like Rhybak says put your time in and search for these access points nobody is going to share anymore due to the lack of respect demonstrated on a regular basis.
The southern access points are the busiest, The northern are busy with Parry Sound locals and the Eastern get attention from Muskoka and Huntsville parties.