Fishing at Cochrane's Bay, Sudbury, Ontario

• Overview

  In Ontario, Cochrane's Bay falls inside Sudbury. The surface lies 348 metres up. Nearest town is Timmins, 96 km off. Dowling lies 122 km off, Capreol another 122 km. Near neighbours: 1.9 km out stands Minisinakwa Lake, Makami River out at 3.8 km, 3.8 km out stands Muskeg Lake, St. Louis Lake out at 3.9 km and 4.5 km out stands Frigid Lake. The nearest edge is a long way off, so local rules apply throughout.

• Where to Fish on Cochrane's Bay

  Depth here is unknown, so count the lead down before committing. Reed and marsh margins hold fish through the moving hours. Tide runs this water, so time the session to the flow. Fish documented in Sudbury include smallmouth bass, northern pike and yellow perch. County records show what lives in the area; the local agency holds the water-by-water list. Take Cochrane's Bay a stretch at a time.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Seasonal averages run from -16°C in January up to 17°C in July. Ice holds for a long stretch, so the open weeks matter more here than further south. Count the season from break-up, usually late April. The open-water window runs from around late April to about mid November in an average year. The strong weeks are the first after break-up and the last before the freeze. On Cochrane's Bay that shapes the whole year.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public sources are silent on who controls the bank. Public mapping records no formal access here, so plan for a walk and soft ground. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Check locally before you travel, because a wasted drive is a long one. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. Minisinakwa Lake at 1.9 km is the sensible second choice. Confirm access to Cochrane's Bay locally before you travel.