DeGraff Lake Fishing near Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario

• Overview

  DeGraff Lake falls in Algoma, part of Ontario. It lies 379 metres above sea level. At roughly 5 hectares, the whole thing is within casting reach of a single walk. On size it sits at the modest end of our Algoma list. Nearest town is Sault Ste. Marie, 29 km off. For a city, Greater Sudbury is 232 km off. This one is safely inside the county line.

• Where to Fish on DeGraff Lake

  No figure exists for depth, so let the water show you. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Open biodiversity records for Algoma list walleye, northern pike, Iowa darter and yellow perch. The county figures include rivers and lakes alike. At DeGraff Lake light and wind decide more than tackle does.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July to average close to 18°C, with January the cold end at about -12°C. The year splits cleanly: hard water, then open water. The freeze runs deep into the year, with break-up near late April. Ice usually gives way near late April, and forms again about late November. June through September is the settled part of the year, with the shoulders busier for fish. That shapes the year on DeGraff Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Ownership and access are not documented in what we hold. No car park, ramp or path is recorded within easy reach of the shore. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Check whether a boat is allowed before you tow one. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. Anderson Lake sits 2.3 km off and takes the overflow. Where DeGraff Lake is concerned, a local answer beats a written one.