Fishing Cummins Lake in Thunder Bay District, Ontario

• Overview

  Thunder Bay District, Ontario, is where Cummins Lake sits. It stands 476 metres above sea level. Around 28 hectares of surface means several distinct areas to work. The bank runs about 3.9 km all the way round, so one visit can cover most of it. It sits higher than most water we list in Ontario. Lappe is the closest town at 13 km. Shuniah Township lies 19 km off, Current River another 22 km. One jurisdiction covers this water end to end.

• Where to Fish on Cummins Lake

  Nothing we hold settles how deep this runs. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Survey and observation records for Thunder Bay District include cisco, blackfin cisco and rainbow smelt. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. On Cummins Lake the quiet end is the one worth the extra effort.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Climate normals give 17°C for July and -18°C for January. The window is narrow, and fish feed hard while it lasts. Ice-out usually falls in early May, and the weeks after it fish hardest. Expect the water usable from around early May until roughly mid November. Fish feed hardest at the start and the close of the open season. It holds true on Cummins Lake more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  We hold no note on access for this one. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. There is no recorded infrastructure here; expect to find your own way in. One rod, a handful of hooks and floats, and a few small lures are enough for this water. Where a permit is needed, the nearest town usually sells it. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. For a change of water, Sunday Lake is 2.3 km distant. Check the position at Cummins Lake before loading the car.