Fishing at Forge Lake, Algoma, Ontario

• Overview

  The Algoma end of Ontario holds Forge Lake. It sits at 365 metres above sea level. It measures about 23 hectares, which is a comfortable size for bank fishing. With 5.2 km or so of shoreline, boat anglers cover ground the bank cannot. Wawa at 31 km is the nearest place to stop. Greater Sudbury is the closest city, 322 km away. It sits well inside the county, so one set of rules covers it.

• Where to Fish on Forge Lake

  Our records hold no depth for this water. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. Reported across Algoma: walleye, northern pike, Iowa darter and yellow perch. The county list is broader than any single water. Forge Lake fishes better once you know its edges.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warm month here averages 16°C; the cold one sits at -16°C. Winter owns most of the year at this latitude. The lid usually sets by midwinter and gives way around early May. The open-water window runs from around early May to about mid November in an average year. The open run goes from the thaw to the freeze, and April through October covers most of it. Time your trip to Forge Lake by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access is not recorded for this water. Records list it as a natural water body rather than an impoundment. No made access appears within a short radius, so plan to park on a verge and walk. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Read any posted signs at the access point rather than assuming. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. Garbe Lake at 4.6 km is the sensible second choice. Signs at Forge Lake carry more weight than any list.