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

• Overview

  Larry Lake is a Thunder Bay District water, Ontario side. The setting is spruce and muskeg on every side. It runs to roughly 35 hectares — big enough to hold fish away from the bank, small enough to learn. The outline measures near 5.1 km, so local knowledge counts. For supplies, Manitouwadge is 21 km out. The big place round here is Thunder Bay, 281 km distant. No county line comes close, which keeps the paperwork simple.

• Where to Fish on Larry Lake

  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. Survey and observation records for Thunder Bay District include cisco, blackfin cisco, rainbow smelt and bloater. County records show what lives in the area; the local agency holds the water-by-water list. At Larry Lake the water rewards a slow, careful approach.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Typical July readings run about 16°C; by January the average is down near -18°C. This far north the hard season runs and runs. Hard water holds through the cold months, breaking up near early May. The water is typically free of ice between early May and mid November. The first weeks of open water and the last are the ones to plan for. The season on Larry Lake follows the weather closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing we hold confirms whether access is permitted. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. No made access appears within a short radius, so plan to park on a verge and walk. One rod, a handful of hooks and floats, and a few small lures are enough for this water. Gates get locked out of season on water like this. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. Davis Lake sits 2.6 km off and takes the overflow. The position on Larry Lake is worth confirming on the day.