Fishing at Bananish Lake, Thunder Bay District, Ontario

• Overview

  Bananish Lake lies in Thunder Bay District, Ontario. The ground round it is spruce and muskeg. The water covers around 1.14 sq km, which puts most of it out of reach from the bank. Shoreline length is close to 7.4 km, and each section fishes a little differently. Manitouwadge is the closest place, 58 km off. After that come Hornepayne at 93 km and Wawa at 95 km. Rules here are straightforward: one set of provincial rules.

• Where to Fish on Bananish Lake

  Depth is unmeasured here, so let the shoreline guide you. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Open biodiversity records for Thunder Bay District list cisco, blackfin cisco and rainbow smelt. The list covers the county rather than this water alone, so treat it as a guide. On Bananish Lake the obvious spot is not always the productive one.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Seasonal averages run from -16°C in January up to 16°C in July. The fishing year opens late and shuts early. The freeze runs deep into the year, with break-up near early May. On the long-run averages the water opens up around early May and starts locking again about mid November. Reckon on open water from spring through to late autumn, with May and June the strongest. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Bananish Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. No made access is recorded, so a short walk in is the likely arrangement. Keep the gear simple: light line, small hooks, split shot and a couple of proven lures. Read any posted signs at the access point rather than assuming. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. For a change of water, Long Lake is 3 km distant. Check the position on Bananish Lake before loading the car.