Fishing Lake Despair in Rainy River District, Ontario

• Overview

  Lake Despair lies in Rainy River District, Ontario. The setting is mixed forest on every side. It measures some 9.59 sq km, and wind has room to build across it. On our Rainy River District list it sits near the top for size. The town to know is Emo, 30 km out. Fort Frances is 35 km and International Falls 36 km. Rules here are straightforward: one set of provincial rules.

• Where to Fish on Lake Despair

  Depth here is unknown, so count the lead down before committing. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Records held for Rainy River District cover northern pike, smallmouth bass, yellow perch and walleye. Take it as the county picture rather than a promise for this water. On Lake Despair a short move beats a long cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between January at about -17°C and July at about 19°C, the water has a wide range to work through. The year splits cleanly: hard water, then open water. Break-up comes around late April, and the run that follows is short and strong. The open-water window runs from around late April to about mid November in an average year. The middle of summer slows a little, with dawn and dusk carrying it. It sets the rhythm of the year at Lake Despair.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access is not recorded for this water. Nothing built is recorded close to the bank here. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Rules for this water may differ from the county norm. Where the way in crosses private ground, ask first. Manomin Lake at 4 km is the sensible second choice. Ask locally about Lake Despair if anything is unclear.