Hag Lake Fishing in Rainy River District, Ontario

• Overview

  Hag Lake is one of the Rainy River District waters in Ontario. This is rolling bush ground. Small at around 4 hectares: two anglers spread out cover most of it. It is a small entry by Rainy River District standards. The closest town, Ely, is 43 km away. The big place round here is Thunder Bay, 215 km distant. It lies deep inside the county rather than near an edge.

• Where to Fish on Hag Lake

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Open biodiversity records for Rainy River District list northern pike, smallmouth bass, yellow perch and walleye. County records show what lives in the area; the local agency holds the water-by-water list. Read Hag Lake before you fish it and the day goes better.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Typical July readings run about 19°C; by January the average is down near -16°C. Winter closes the water for a while, and the reopening is worth catching. Count on hard cover from midwinter, and open water from late April. In an average year the thaw lands around late April and the freeze near mid November. The first weeks of open water and the last are the ones to plan for. Hag Lake fishes to that pattern most years.

• Tackle & Baits

  Who may fish here is not settled in anything we hold. The water borders 4, so expect the reserve rules to apply. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Check whether a boat is allowed before you tow one. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. If the gate is shut, Posse Lake at 1.5 km is the nearest alternative. Treat Hag Lake as unsettled until someone local tells you otherwise.