Hap Lake Fishing Guide, Sudbury, Ontario

• Overview

  Hap Lake falls in Sudbury, part of Ontario. It sits in boreal forest. With some 23 hectares of water, there is room for a boat but no need of one. The full circuit measures close to 2.6 km on foot. Compared with other Ontario water on our list, it sits high. Nearest town is Chapleau, 41 km off. Wawa lies 63 km off, Hornepayne another 154 km. It sits well inside its county, with no border complications.

• Where to Fish on Hap Lake

  Our records carry no depth, so judge it from the bank. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Public occurrence data for Sudbury names smallmouth bass, northern pike, yellow perch and Iowa darter. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. Read Hap Lake before you fish it and the day goes better.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July to average close to 16°C, with January the cold end at about -16°C. The ice season is long here and the open one short. Ice is part of the season here, ending near early May. Climate figures give an open season running early May to mid November. The strongest runs come at either end of the open season. It sets the rhythm of the year at Hap Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public data does not answer the access question here. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. Nothing built is recorded close to the bank here. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Provincial rules still apply whatever the bank status. A polite question at the farm gate opens more banks than anything else. If the gate is shut, Soretooth Lake at 1.7 km is the nearest alternative. The position on Hap Lake is worth confirming on the day.