Fishing at Kenny Lake, Thunder Bay District, Ontario

• Overview

  Thunder Bay District, Ontario, is where Kenny Lake sits. The bank is 394 metres above sea level. It measures about 30 hectares, which is a comfortable size for bank fishing. With about 3.9 km of edge, you can try several depths in one session. For supplies, Sioux Lookout is 163 km out. It is 208 km to Thunder Bay, the nearest city. The nearest boundary is well away, so one set of rules covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Kenny Lake

  Our records carry no depth, so judge it from the bank. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Open biodiversity records for Thunder Bay District list cisco, blackfin cisco, rainbow smelt, bloater and shortjaw cisco. It is the county picture; the agency list is water-specific. Anyone new to Kenny Lake should walk it once before setting up.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warmest month averages 17°C, the coldest about -21°C. Fishing here follows the temperature more than the calendar. Break-up comes around early May, and the run that follows is short and strong. Ice usually gives way near early May, and forms again about mid November. Fishing peaks soon after break-up and again before the cold returns. It holds true on Kenny Lake more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  The paperwork position is blank for this one. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. Nothing is mapped in the way of a ramp or car park within a short radius. Keep the gear simple: light line, small hooks, split shot and a couple of proven lures. Provincial rules still apply whatever the bank status. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. For a change of water, Bienda Lake is 1.1 km distant. For Kenny Lake, the notice at the access point is the final word.