Fishing Handy Lake in Thunder Bay District, Ontario

• Overview

  Out in Thunder Bay District, Ontario, sits Handy Lake. The water sits 425 metres up. At about 59 hectares, a day is enough to walk the shoreline properly. Around 14 km of bank, which is a long day on foot. 100 km away sits Sioux Lookout, the nearest town. The big place round here is Thunder Bay, 240 km distant. It sits well inside its county, with no border complications.

• Where to Fish on Handy Lake

  Open data we checked carries no depth for this water. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Survey and observation records for Thunder Bay District include cisco, blackfin cisco, rainbow smelt and bloater. Take it as the county picture rather than a promise for this water. On Handy Lake that means starting tight and working out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages here run 17°C at the top of summer and -20°C at the bottom of winter. Seasons are distinct, and each one fishes differently. Ice-out usually falls in early May, and the weeks after it fish hardest. On average, early May opens the water and mid November closes it again. From the thaw to midsummer the fishing improves week by week. It holds true on Handy Lake more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing we hold confirms whether access is permitted. Records list it as a natural water body rather than an impoundment. There is no recorded infrastructure here; expect to find your own way in. One rod, a handful of hooks and floats, and a few small lures are enough for this water. Gates get locked out of season on water like this. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. If the gate is shut, Conant Lake at 2.3 km is the nearest alternative. Check the position on Handy Lake before loading the car.