Fishing Caribou Lake in Thunder Bay District, Ontario

• Overview

  Within Thunder Bay District, Ontario, you have Caribou Lake. Country round the bank runs to taiga. The nearest place of any size is Greenstone, 160 km away. Beyond it, Nipigon at 170 km and Geraldton at 174 km. Near neighbours: Tower Lake a shade over 12 km, Campbell Creek (16 km), Blue Lake a shade over 17 km, Doe Lake (18 km) and Secret Lake a shade over 18 km. One jurisdiction covers this water end to end.

• Where to Fish on Caribou Lake

  Our records hold no depth for this water. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Open biodiversity records for Thunder Bay District list cisco, blackfin cisco, rainbow smelt, bloater and shortjaw cisco. Take it as the county picture rather than a promise for this water. On Caribou Lake that means starting tight and working out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between January at about -21°C and July at about 17°C, the water has a wide range to work through. The season is measured in weeks rather than months. The open season starts with the thaw, near enough early May. Climate averages put the opening at about early May and the closing near mid November. June through September is the settled part of the year, with the shoulders busier for fish. Caribou Lake runs to that rhythm year in and year out.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public sources are silent on who controls the bank. 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. Some banks are open only from a marked point. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. For a change of water, Tower Lake is 12 km distant. Confirm before you fish Caribou Lake.