Fishing at Claus Lake, Sudbury, Ontario

• Overview

  Claus Lake sits within Sudbury in Ontario. This is lake country bush ground. At about 45 hectares, a day is enough to walk the shoreline properly. The perimeter runs near 5.5 km, so plan the walk before you start. For supplies, Timmins is 103 km out. For a city, Greater Sudbury is 129 km off. The nearest boundary is well away, so one set of rules covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Claus Lake

  We hold no depth figure for this one. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Records held for Sudbury cover smallmouth bass, northern pike, yellow perch and Iowa darter. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. The shape of Claus Lake rewards a slow walk along one bank.

• Seasonal Patterns

  July is the warm end of the year here, averaging about 17°C, while January sits near -16°C. Cold locks it up for a good stretch each year. Break-up comes around late April, and the run that follows is short and strong. In an average year the thaw lands around late April and the freeze near mid November. From the thaw to midsummer the fishing improves week by week. The season on Claus Lake follows the weather closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. No dam controls it, and the level follows the season. Nothing in the way of made access shows up nearby: no ramp, no car park, no path. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. A phone call first saves an afternoon. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. Champagne Lake sits 1.6 km off and takes the overflow. Rules at Claus Lake are worth checking on the day.