Chill Lake in Kenora District: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Set in Kenora District, Ontario, this is Chill Lake. Height above sea level is 470 metres. About 1.64 sq km, so local knowledge or a boat saves a lot of walking. Around 8.4 km of bank, which is a long day on foot. It sits higher than most water we list in Ontario. 56 km away sits Ignace, the nearest town. Atikokan follows at 60 km, then Sioux Lookout at 126 km. The nearest edge is a long way off, so local rules apply throughout.

• Where to Fish on Chill Lake

  No depth figure has reached our records, which makes a plummet useful. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. Reported across Kenora District: northern pike, longnose sucker, white sucker and johnny darter. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. At Chill Lake the first feature you find is worth twenty minutes.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The seasonal spread runs -18°C to 18°C. Winter puts a hard lid on this one. Look for the thaw near early May; the fishing lifts straight after. Ice usually gives way near early May, and forms again about mid November. June through September is the settled part of the year, with the shoulders busier for fish. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Chill Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access is not recorded for this water. Records list it as a natural water body rather than an impoundment. No made access appears within a short radius, so plan to park on a verge and walk. For the pike, wire up and throw larger lures along the weed edges. Look for a notice board at the entrance. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. The nearest alternative is Upper Squirrel Lake, 2.7 km out. Nothing on Chill Lake should be assumed from this page alone.