McHugh Lake sits on the western edge of the Canadian Shield in Manitoba's Whiteshell region, near West Hawk Lake.

The most practical walk-in access point is reached from the Highway 1 entrance at the West Hawk Lake turnoff, with a roughly 15-minute hike to the water — a notably easier approach than routes involving steep valley descents.

Shore fishing is possible but can be brushy and tangled, so many anglers bring a float tube or other small watercraft to work the shoreline effectively.

The lake is stocked with brown trout and is subject to special regulations: a one-trout limit applies, and only artificial lures and flies are permitted.