Halliday Lake, Ontario: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Halliday Lake is one of the Rainy River District listings for Ontario. The bank is 402 metres above sea level. Surface area is around 56 hectares, which gives you real water without needing a boat. With 5.8 km or so of shoreline, boat anglers cover ground the bank cannot. Some 23 km away sits Atikokan, the nearest settlement. Further out sit Ely (79 km) and Ignace (95 km). The nearest boundary is well away, so one set of rules covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Halliday Lake

  Nothing in our records gives a depth for this one. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. Species logged across Rainy River District include northern pike, smallmouth bass, yellow perch and walleye. The county figures include rivers and lakes alike. Halliday Lake responds to conditions more than to tactics.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Seasonal averages run from -17°C in January up to 18°C in July. The middle months are generous; the ends are demanding. The lid usually goes in late April, which opens the strongest weeks of the year. In an average year the thaw lands around late April and the freeze near mid November. Spring is short and heavy here; autumn is longer and steadier. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Halliday Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing on record says whether the bank is open or closed. Records list it as a natural water body rather than an impoundment. Mapping is blank for access, so scout the approach before committing the car. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Rules for this water may differ from the county norm. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. If the gate is shut, Ram Lake at 2.7 km is the nearest alternative. For Halliday Lake in particular, ask before you travel.