Francis Lake near Nipigon: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Francis Lake is a Thunder Bay District water, in Ontario. It lies 315 metres above sea level. The water measures roughly 7 hectares, so nothing here is far from anything else. Most waters listed here for Thunder Bay District are larger. Nipigon at 33 km is the nearest place to stop. The big place round here is Thunder Bay, 126 km distant. The nearest boundary is a fair way off.

• Where to Fish on Francis Lake

  We hold no survey for this water; read the slope of the shoreline instead. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Public occurrence data for Thunder Bay District names cisco, blackfin cisco, rainbow smelt, bloater and shortjaw cisco. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. Fish Francis Lake to its features, not to its size.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Average temperature peaks around 16°C in July and bottoms out near -18°C in January. Open water arrives late and leaves early, which concentrates the fishing. Hard cover is dependable here; it goes around early May. In an average year the thaw lands around early May and the freeze near mid November. The first weeks of open water and the last are the ones to plan for. Plan any trip to Francis Lake around it.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public data does not answer the access question here. Public data shows nothing built here, so treat the whole approach as informal. One rod, a handful of hooks and floats, and a few small lures are enough for this water. Ask in the nearest town if you are unsure. Night access is frequently treated as a separate matter. The nearest alternative is Lucky Lake, 2.1 km out. Check the current arrangement for Francis Lake.