Doreen Lake Fishing near Ignace, Ontario

• Overview

  Doreen Lake is one of the Kenora District listings for Ontario. What surrounds it is pine and birch. This is sizeable water at about 2.40 sq km, and a boat opens up most of it. At about 22 km of edge, most people work one arm at a time. Compared with other Ontario water on our list, it sits high. The nearest town is Ignace, 21 km away. Thunder Bay is the closest city, 225 km away. The nearest edge is a long way off, so local rules apply throughout.

• Where to Fish on Doreen Lake

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Across Kenora District, recorded fish include northern pike, longnose sucker, white sucker and johnny darter. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. At Doreen Lake light and wind decide more than tackle does.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Climate normals give 18°C for July and -18°C for January. Expect a real winter and a strong spring after it. Count the season from break-up, usually late April. From about late April to around mid November, expect open water on the long-run figures. From the thaw to midsummer the fishing improves week by week. Plan any trip to Doreen Lake around it.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. No built facilities appear in mapping around this water. Pike mean a wire trace, no exceptions; big spoons and jerkbaits do the searching. Check whether a boat is allowed before you tow one. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. Should this one be busy, Raleigh Lake is 7.1 km off. Where Doreen Lake is concerned, a local answer beats a written one.