Fishing at Bert Lake, Kenora District, Ontario

• Overview

  You will find Bert Lake in Kenora District, Ontario. The surroundings are lake country bush. Surface area runs to roughly 3.22 sq km, so plan for one area rather than the whole. Some 18 km of bank gives room to move when the wind turns. The town to know is Kenora, 47 km out. The big place round here is Winnipeg, 225 km distant. The nearest edge is a long way off, so local rules apply throughout.

• Where to Fish on Bert Lake

  There is no recorded depth, so work from what you can see. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Records held for Kenora District cover northern pike, longnose sucker, white sucker and johnny darter. The county list is broader than any single water. On Bert Lake a short move beats a long cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between January at about -18°C and July at about 19°C, the water has a wide range to work through. Seasons are distinct, and each one fishes differently. Count the season from break-up, usually late April. Climate averages put the opening at about late April and the closing near mid November. Fishing peaks soon after break-up and again before the cold returns. Bert Lake runs to its own calendar within the local pattern.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. There is no recorded infrastructure here; expect to find your own way in. A wire trace and a big bright lure handle the pike; deep water asks for a heavier spoon. Where the road in crosses private land, ask first. Some stretches are reserved and marked as such on the ground. For a change of water, Keys Lake is 2.4 km distant. The position on Bert Lake is worth confirming on the day.