Fishing Burnaby Lake in Thunder Bay District, Ontario

• Overview

  Ontario holds Burnaby Lake, in Thunder Bay District. It lies 272 metres above sea level. The water covers around 1.87 sq km, which puts most of it out of reach from the bank. There is roughly 8.5 km of bank, more than one visit can cover properly. Few waters listed in Thunder Bay District are bigger. Longlac at 104 km is the nearest place to stop. Geraldton is 110 km and Greenstone 112 km. The nearest boundary is a fair way off.

• Where to Fish on Burnaby Lake

  Nothing we hold settles how deep this runs. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. Across Thunder Bay District, recorded fish include cisco, blackfin cisco, rainbow smelt, bloater and shortjaw cisco. County records show the wider picture rather than this one place. Take Burnaby Lake a stretch at a time.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Typical July readings run about 16°C; by January the average is down near -20°C. Water stays cold even at the height of the year. Ice fishing carries the winter, and the water opens about early May. Averages place the thaw at early May and the freeze at mid November. From the thaw to midsummer the fishing improves week by week. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Burnaby Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public data does not answer the access question here. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. There is no mapped parking or launch close by, which usually means walking in. A light spinning outfit with a small box of lures and some bait covers most of what swims here. Sort the permit out before you load the car. Close seasons apply to some species and not others. The nearest alternative is Zurbrigg Lake, 1.7 km out. Rules at Burnaby Lake are worth checking on the day.