Gretchel Lake near Hornepayne: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Algoma, Ontario, is where Gretchel Lake sits. It lies 303 metres above sea level. The water covers some 85 hectares, so pick a bank rather than trying to cover it all. The bank runs about 4.5 km all the way round, so one visit can cover most of it. Nearest place of any size is Hornepayne, 15 km away. It is 355 km to Thunder Bay, the nearest city. No boundary runs near, so the local rules hold throughout.

• Where to Fish on Gretchel Lake

  Depth is not on record here, so the bank has to tell you. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Public occurrence data for Algoma names walleye, northern pike, Iowa darter and yellow perch. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. Gretchel Lake gives up its fish to patience rather than distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  July is the warm end of the year here, averaging about 16°C, while January sits near -18°C. The ice season is long here and the open one short. After early May the shallows warm and the fish move up. 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. Gretchel Lake runs to its own calendar within the local pattern.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. Nothing is mapped in the way of a ramp or car park within a short radius. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Some banks are open only from a marked point. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. The nearest alternative is Haig Lake, 6 km out. Check the position on Gretchel Lake before loading the car.