Fishing Big McLouds Lake in Thunder Bay District, Ontario

• Overview

  Look for Big McLouds Lake in the Thunder Bay District part of Ontario. The surface lies 466 metres up. At some 2.14 sq km it is far too large to cover on foot in a day. It ranks high for size among our Thunder Bay District listings. Ignace is the closest place, 66 km off. Atikokan is 96 km and Sioux Lookout 115 km. No border sits close enough to matter.

• Where to Fish on Big McLouds Lake

  Nothing we hold settles how deep this runs. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. Fish documented in Thunder Bay District include cisco, blackfin cisco, rainbow smelt, bloater and shortjaw cisco. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. At Big McLouds Lake light and wind decide more than tackle does.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages move between -19°C in January and 17°C in July. The middle months are generous; the ends are demanding. The lid arrives early and lasts until roughly early May. From about early May to around mid November, expect open water on the long-run figures. The strongest runs come at either end of the open season. The season on Big McLouds Lake follows the weather closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  We have no record of the rules that apply on this bank. There is no mapped parking or launch close by, which usually means walking in. Keep the gear simple: light line, small hooks, split shot and a couple of proven lures. Some banks are open only from a marked point. A polite question at the farm gate opens more banks than anything else. McLouds Lake at 1.6 km is the sensible second choice. Nothing here settles the position at Big McLouds Lake for certain.