Bigwood Lake, Ontario: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Bigwood Lake is one of the Greater Sudbury listings for Ontario. It sits at 366 metres above sea level. At some 1.77 sq km it is far too large to cover on foot in a day. It ranks high for size among our Greater Sudbury listings. Head to Capreol, 20 km away, for anything you forgot. Then Valley East, 23 km, and Rayside-Balfour, 28 km. No border sits close enough to matter.

• Where to Fish on Bigwood 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. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Fish documented in Greater Sudbury include smallmouth bass, yellow perch, northern pike, pumpkinseed and rock bass. The county figures include rivers and lakes alike. On Bigwood Lake the first feature you find is usually worth a session.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Seasonal averages run from -15°C in January up to 18°C in July. A hard winter is normal, and the thaw brings a strong few weeks. The open season starts with the thaw, near enough late April. On the long-run averages the water opens up around late April and starts locking again about late November. September and October fish steadily right up to the freeze. That shapes the year on Bigwood Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public sources are silent on who controls the bank. Public mapping records no formal access here, so plan for a walk and soft ground. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Where the road in crosses private land, ask first. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. If the gate is shut, Copenhagen Bay at 1.3 km is the nearest alternative. Check the position on Bigwood Lake before loading the car.