Forest Lake, Ontario: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Set in Greater Sudbury, Forest Lake is an Ontario water. It lies 263 metres above sea level. It runs to roughly 16 hectares — big enough to hold fish away from the bank, small enough to learn. Shoreline comes to about 2.5 km, small enough to learn in a day. You are 11 km from Greater Sudbury. Lively is 13 km and Azilda 19 km. Within a short run: Camp Lake 1.2 km, Crowley Lake some 1.2 km off, Linton Lake 2.1 km, Pine Lake some 2.9 km off and Kasten Lake 3.4 km. The nearest boundary is a fair way off.

• Where to Fish on Forest Lake

  Without a survey to go on, judge depth from how the bank falls away. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Species logged across Greater Sudbury include smallmouth bass, yellow perch, northern pike and pumpkinseed. County records show the wider picture rather than this one place. On Forest Lake the quiet end is the one worth the extra effort.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The year swings from about -13°C in January to roughly 19°C in July. Four clear seasons, with a proper winter at one end. Firm cover through the cold months, then open water from late April. Break-up near late April, freeze-up near late November: that is the shape of an average year. Right after break-up, and again as the nights sharpen, is when to go. At Forest Lake the season follows that pattern closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  Ownership and access are not documented in what we hold. No dam controls it, and the level follows the season. A carry of 1.2 km from the nearest parking is the price of fishing here. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Season dates differ by species, so read the table. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. If the gate is shut, Camp Lake at 1.2 km is the nearest alternative. The position on Forest Lake is worth confirming on the day.