Fishing at Little Cedar Lake, Thunder Bay District, Ontario

• Overview

  The Thunder Bay District entry here is Little Cedar Lake, in Ontario. The bank gives way to northern bush. About 1.88 sq km, so local knowledge or a boat saves a lot of walking. With 8.1 km or so of shoreline, boat anglers cover ground the bank cannot. It is among the larger waters listed here for Thunder Bay District. Supplies mean a trip to Manitouwadge, 48 km off. Terrace Bay follows at 93 km, then Hornepayne at 97 km. One jurisdiction covers this water end to end.

• Where to Fish on Little Cedar Lake

  No figure exists for depth, so let the water show you. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Species logged across Thunder Bay District include cisco, blackfin cisco, rainbow smelt, bloater and shortjaw cisco. It is the county picture; the agency list is water-specific. On Little Cedar Lake that means starting tight and working out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warmest month averages 16°C, the coldest about -15°C. This far north the hard season runs and runs. The freeze runs deep into the year, with break-up near early May. Averages suggest open water from about early May through to roughly mid November. The strongest runs come at either end of the open season. That shapes the year on Little Cedar Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. Records list it as a natural water body rather than an impoundment. The map shows no ramp or car park nearby, so this is a walk-in water. 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 tickets apply, they are sold in the nearest town rather than on the bank. The nearest alternative is Bradley Lake, 2.1 km out. Ask locally about Little Cedar Lake if anything is unclear.