Holland Lake in Thunder Bay District: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Thunder Bay District, Ontario, is where Holland Lake sits. Everything around it is northern bush. Surface area is around 63 hectares, which gives you real water without needing a boat. The perimeter runs near 7.4 km, so plan the walk before you start. Greenstone lies 142 km from the water. Geraldton follows at 156 km, then Nipigon at 158 km. Not far off: Whiddon Lake (5 km), Blue Lake 6.9 km off, Nicholls Lake (8 km), Jojo Lake 8.6 km off and Flat Lake (9.2 km). The nearest boundary is a fair way off.

• Where to Fish on Holland Lake

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Reported across Thunder Bay District: cisco, blackfin cisco, rainbow smelt, bloater and shortjaw cisco. County records show the wider picture rather than this one place. Anyone new to Holland Lake should walk it once before setting up.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages here run 17°C at the top of summer and -21°C at the bottom of winter. The season is measured in weeks rather than months. The open season starts with the thaw, near enough early May. In an average year the thaw lands around early May and the freeze near mid November. Reckon on open water from spring through to late autumn, with May and June the strongest. It holds true on Holland Lake more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access status is simply unknown for this water. No dam controls it, and the level follows the season. There is no recorded infrastructure here; expect to find your own way in. Keep the gear simple: light line, small hooks, split shot and a couple of proven lures. Rules for this water may differ from the county norm. Where the way in crosses private ground, ask first. For a change of water, Whiddon Lake is 5 km distant. What applies at Holland Lake may have changed since it was mapped.