Gilhuly Lake in Thunder Bay District: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  In Ontario, Gilhuly Lake falls inside Thunder Bay District. It sits at 321 metres above sea level. At about 48 hectares, a day is enough to walk the shoreline properly. The margin runs to about 5.7 km in total. Greenstone sits 107 km from here and is the nearest stop. Thunder Bay sits 261 km out, and it is the nearest city worth the name. It sits well inside the county, so one set of rules covers it.

• Where to Fish on Gilhuly 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. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Fish documented in Thunder Bay District include cisco, blackfin cisco and rainbow smelt. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. Gilhuly Lake gives up its fish to patience rather than distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July near 16°C and January near -20°C on the long-run figures. Water stays cold even at the height of the year. Once it clears, about early May, the fishing comes on quickly. Climate figures give an open season running early May to early November. The first weeks of open water and the last are the ones to plan for. Plan around that when you fish Gilhuly Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. Mapping shows an empty shoreline: no ramp, no jetty, no marked entry. Keep the gear simple: light line, small hooks, split shot and a couple of proven lures. Local rules can differ across the county line, so check where you stand. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. For a change of water, Tape Lake is 12 km distant. For Gilhuly Lake, the notice at the access point is the final word.