Fishing at Lydia Lake, Thunder Bay District, Ontario

• Overview

  Ontario holds Lydia Lake, in Thunder Bay District. It stands 290 metres above sea level. Surface area is around 28 hectares, which gives you real water without needing a boat. Bank access stretches around 3.1 km in total. The closest town, Longlac, is 35 km away. Thunder Bay is the closest city, 280 km away. Nearby alternatives: 4 km away is Gabbro Lake, Castlebar Lake (4.3 km), 4.8 km away is Goldsmith Lake, Secon Lake (4.8 km) and 4.9 km away is Hope Lake. This one is safely inside the county line.

• Where to Fish on Lydia Lake

  Depth remains unrecorded, so treat the first session as a survey. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Species logged across Thunder Bay District include cisco, blackfin cisco and rainbow smelt. Records at county level tell you what is around, not what is stocked here. The near bank of Lydia Lake is often the one people ignore.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between January at about -19°C and July at about 16°C, the water has a wide range to work through. The fishing year opens late and shuts early. Break-up comes around early May, and the run that follows is short and strong. Going by climate averages, expect open water from about early May until roughly mid November. September and October fish steadily right up to the freeze. Lydia Lake runs to its own calendar within the local pattern.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access is not recorded for this water. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. Overnight stays are possible 540 m away. One rod, a handful of hooks and floats, and a few small lures are enough for this water. Check locally before you travel, because a wasted drive is a long one. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. If the gate is shut, Gabbro Lake at 4 km is the nearest alternative. Confirm access to Lydia Lake locally before you travel.