Below Bow Lake, Ontario: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Below Bow Lake is set in Rainy River District, Ontario. Elevation runs to 434 metres. At some 2.07 sq km it is far too large to cover on foot in a day. It is high ground by Ontario standards. Nearest town is Atikokan, 29 km off. The nearest city of size is Thunder Bay, 190 km away. Within a short drive: Wasp Lake within 3.7 km, Highland Lake about 3.8 km, South Gull Lake within 5.8 km, Mae Lake about 7.3 km and Little Gull Lake within 7.8 km. This one is safely inside the county line.

• Where to Fish on Below Bow 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. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. County-wide records name northern pike, smallmouth bass, yellow perch and walleye. County records show what lives in the area; the local agency holds the water-by-water list. Below Bow Lake fishes better once you know its edges.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages move between -18°C in January and 18°C in July. Fishing here follows the temperature more than the calendar. Winter fishing happens on the ice here, with open water back around late April. Climate figures give an open season running late April to mid November. The first weeks of open water and the last are the ones to plan for. The season on Below Bow Lake rarely departs from it.

• Tackle & Baits

  Who may fish here is not settled in anything we hold. No car park, ramp or path is recorded within easy reach of the shore. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Look for a notice board at the entrance. Some stretches are reserved and marked as such on the ground. If the gate is shut, Wasp Lake at 3.7 km is the nearest alternative. The position on Below Bow Lake is worth confirming on the day.