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

• Overview

  In Ontario, Gledhill Lake belongs to Thunder Bay District. Beyond the shoreline you have taiga. At some 1.19 sq km it is far too large to cover on foot in a day. With 8.8 km or so of shoreline, boat anglers cover ground the bank cannot. Nearest town is Greenstone, 55 km off. Geraldton is 63 km and Longlac 80 km. The nearest edge is a long way off, so local rules apply throughout.

• Where to Fish on Gledhill Lake

  Depth here is unknown, so count the lead down before committing. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Records held for Thunder Bay District cover cisco, blackfin cisco and rainbow smelt. County records show the wider picture rather than this one place. At Gledhill Lake the first feature you find is worth twenty minutes.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages here run 16°C at the top of summer and -20°C at the bottom of winter. The year here is short and sharp: a long lid, then a burst of open water. Expect a solid lid for months and a thaw around early May. Averages suggest open water from about early May through to roughly mid November. Late spring and early autumn carry the year between them. It holds true on Gledhill Lake more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  We have no record of the rules that apply on this bank. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. Mapping is blank for access, so scout the approach before committing the car. Keep the gear simple: light line, small hooks, split shot and a couple of proven lures. Bank access can be seasonal on ground like this. Close seasons apply to some species and not others. Wigwas Lake, 3.4 km away, makes the obvious fallback. Confirm access to Gledhill Lake locally before you travel.