Fishing at Grace Lake, Manitoulin District, Ontario

• Overview

  Grace Lake is one of the Manitoulin District waters in Ontario. This is mixed forest country. Surface area is around 48 hectares, which gives you real water without needing a boat. The shoreline runs about 5.5 km, so it pays to pick a stretch and stay with it. The closest town, Espanola, is 19 km away. Little Current is 30 km and Lively 48 km. The county line runs close by, so rules can change within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on Grace Lake

  Depth remains unrecorded, so treat the first session as a survey. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. Across Manitoulin District, recorded fish include rainbow smelt, lake whitefish and cisco. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. Grace Lake gives up its fish to patience rather than distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between January at about -11°C and July at about 19°C, the water has a wide range to work through. Four clear seasons, with a proper winter at one end. Ice is part of the season here, ending near late April. Break-up near late April, freeze-up near early December: that is the shape of an average year. Fish feed hardest at the start and the close of the open season. It holds true on Grace Lake more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing on record says whether the bank is open or closed. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. You can camp 960 m off, which suits an early start. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Ask in the nearest town if you are unsure. Some stretches are reserved and marked as such on the ground. Casson Lake sits 2.3 km off and takes the overflow. Treat access at Grace Lake as something to verify.