Fishing Blende Lake in Thunder Bay District, Ontario

• Overview

  Out in Thunder Bay District, Ontario, sits Blende Lake. Height above sea level is 236 metres. It runs to roughly 20 hectares — big enough to hold fish away from the bank, small enough to learn. The bank runs about 2.2 km all the way round, so one visit can cover most of it. For a base, Amethyst Harbour sits 8.8 km out. Shuniah Township lies 26 km off, Current River another 33 km. No county line comes close, which keeps the paperwork simple.

• Where to Fish on Blende Lake

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Species logged across Thunder Bay District include cisco, blackfin cisco and rainbow smelt. Read it as a county summary, not a water-by-water list. At Blende Lake the water rewards a slow, careful approach.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages here run 17°C at the top of summer and -16°C at the bottom of winter. Winter runs most of the calendar, and everything worth doing happens in the gap. Count on hard cover from midwinter, and open water from late April. On average, late April opens the water and mid November closes it again. Late spring and early autumn carry the year between them. It sets the rhythm of the year at Blende Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Who may fish here is not settled in anything we hold. No dam controls it, and the level follows the season. Mapping is blank for access, so scout the approach before committing the car. One rod, a handful of hooks and floats, and a few small lures are enough for this water. Check locally before you travel, because a wasted drive is a long one. Where parking is tight, arriving early solves most problems. Should this one be busy, Picture Lake is 3.3 km off. Check the position at Blende Lake before loading the car.