Fishing at Clifftay Lake, Algoma, Ontario

• Overview

  Clifftay Lake is an Algoma water, in Ontario. The country here is rolling bush. About 5 hectares of surface, which puts the far bank inside easy sight. It is a small entry by Algoma standards. Wawa lies 44 km from the water. It is 292 km to Thunder Bay, the nearest city. Nearby alternatives: Dud Lake 0.9 km away, Warbedeelius Lake at 4.7 km, Miron Lake 5.2 km away, Mishi Lake at 5.6 km and Katzenbach Lake 7 km away. It lies deep inside the county rather than near an edge.

• Where to Fish on Clifftay Lake

  Nothing in our records gives a depth 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. Reported across Algoma: walleye, northern pike and Iowa darter. Records at county level tell you what is around, not what is stocked here. On Clifftay Lake that means starting tight and working out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The range across the year is -15°C to 16°C. Expect a real winter and a strong spring after it. Look for the thaw near early May; the fishing lifts straight after. Climate figures give an open season running early May to mid November. The strongest runs come at either end of the open season. It holds true on Clifftay Lake more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  The access position is unclear from public sources. We find no slipway, car park or made path within a short radius, so treat access as rough. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Where access is informal, keep it that way by behaving. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. Failing this one, try Dud Lake, 0.9 km away. Signs at Clifftay Lake carry more weight than any list.