Fishing Craddock Lake in Thunder Bay District, Ontario

• Overview

  Craddock Lake is one of the Thunder Bay District listings for Ontario. The surroundings are northern bush. It runs to roughly 17 hectares — big enough to hold fish away from the bank, small enough to learn. Shoreline comes to about 2.1 km, small enough to learn in a day. Terrace Bay sits 47 km from here and is the nearest stop. Manitouwadge lies 57 km off, Schreiber another 59 km. It sits well inside its county, with no border complications.

• Where to Fish on Craddock Lake

  Depth here is unknown, so count the lead down before committing. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Across Thunder Bay District, recorded fish include cisco, blackfin cisco and rainbow smelt. The county figures include rivers and lakes alike. On Craddock Lake the quiet end is the one worth the extra effort.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The seasonal spread runs -15°C to 15°C. The season is measured in weeks rather than months. The freeze runs deep into the year, with break-up near early May. From about early May to around mid November, expect open water on the long-run figures. Reckon on open water from spring through to late autumn, with May and June the strongest. At Craddock Lake the season follows that pattern closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing in our records says who may fish here. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. Access points are not mapped for this water, which suits people who like quiet. A light spinning outfit with a small box of lures and some bait covers most of what swims here. Check whether a boat is allowed before you tow one. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. Wolf Camp Lake at 1.8 km is the sensible second choice. Confirm before you fish Craddock Lake.