Hanson Lake Fishing Guide, Thunder Bay District, Ontario

• Overview

  Within Thunder Bay District, Ontario, you have Hanson Lake. The water sits 283 metres up. It measures about 94 hectares, which is a comfortable size for bank fishing. You are looking at roughly 7.6 km of shoreline, with plenty of water between access points. Nipigon lies 23 km from the water. Thunder Bay is the closest city, 123 km away. The county line is nowhere near, so one local authority covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Hanson Lake

  Nothing we hold settles how deep this runs. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Fish documented in Thunder Bay District include cisco, blackfin cisco, rainbow smelt and bloater. These are county-wide records, so not all of them will be in this water. Anyone new to Hanson Lake should walk it once before setting up.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages here run 16°C at the top of summer and -18°C at the bottom of winter. Winter runs most of the calendar, and everything worth doing happens in the gap. The open season starts with the thaw, near enough early May. On the long-run averages the water opens up around early May and starts locking again about mid November. May into June fishes hardest, and September gives a second good stretch before the lid returns. Hanson Lake runs to that rhythm year in and year out.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether you may fish here is not something records settle. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. One rod, a handful of hooks and floats, and a few small lures are enough for this water. Season dates differ by species, so read the table. Where tickets apply, they are sold in the nearest town rather than on the bank. Rains Lake at 7 km is the sensible second choice. Check the position at Hanson Lake before loading the car.