Ansell Lake Fishing near Schreiber, Ontario

• Overview

  In Ontario, Ansell Lake falls inside Thunder Bay District. It sits in northern bush country. The water covers some 16 hectares, so pick a bank rather than trying to cover it all. The whole outline is near 3.6 km, and most of it is walkable. On size it sits at the modest end of our Thunder Bay District list. Supplies mean a trip to Schreiber, 8.9 km off. Thunder Bay sits 159 km out, and it is the nearest city worth the name. Rules here are straightforward: one set of provincial rules.

• Where to Fish on Ansell Lake

  Depth went unrecorded, which puts the reading back on you. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Reported across Thunder Bay District: cisco, blackfin cisco and rainbow smelt. The county list is broader than any single water. Ansell Lake fishes better once you know its edges.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The seasonal spread runs -16°C to 16°C. The window is narrow, and fish feed hard while it lasts. Ice is part of the season here, ending near early May. Climate averages put the opening at about early May and the closing near mid November. Just after the ice goes and just before it returns, the fishing lifts. It sets the rhythm of the year at Ansell Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  We hold no note on access for this one. No dam controls it, and the level follows the season. Access points are not mapped for this water, which suits people who like quiet. One rod, a handful of hooks and floats, and a few small lures are enough for this water. Local rules can differ across the county line, so check where you stand. Barbless rules turn up on managed water more often than not. The nearest alternative is Maude Lake, 1.9 km out. The position on Ansell Lake is worth confirming on the day.