Fishing at Bliss Lake, Thunder Bay District, Ontario

• Overview

  Bliss Lake lies within the bounds of Thunder Bay District, Ontario. The surface lies 326 metres up. Roughly 5.61 sq km of surface: treat each bay as a water in its own right. Shoreline length is close to 18 km, and each section fishes a little differently. It ranks high for size among our Thunder Bay District listings. Greenstone lies 28 km from the water. After that come Geraldton at 35 km and Longlac at 56 km. It lies deep inside the county rather than near an edge.

• Where to Fish on Bliss Lake

  Without a survey to go on, judge depth from how the bank falls away. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. Fish documented in Thunder Bay District include cisco, blackfin cisco, rainbow smelt, bloater and shortjaw cisco. The list covers the county rather than this water alone, so treat it as a guide. Treat Bliss Lake as a water to read rather than to cover.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The year swings from about -20°C in January to roughly 16°C in July. A short, intense season is the rule this far north. The open season starts with the thaw, near enough early May. Going by climate averages, expect open water from about early May until roughly mid November. The shoulder weeks of the open season are the productive ones. Bliss Lake fishes to that pattern most years.

• Tackle & Baits

  The access position is unclear from public sources. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. Mapping shows no built access close by; expect to walk in from wherever you can leave the car. A light spinning outfit with a small box of lures and some bait covers most of what swims here. Where a permit is needed, the nearest town usually sells it. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. Failing this one, try Bernadine Lake, 4.2 km away. For Bliss Lake, the notice at the access point is the final word.