Fishing Magnet Lake in Thunder Bay District, Ontario

• Overview

  The Thunder Bay District end of Ontario holds Magnet Lake. The bank is 333 metres above sea level. The water covers some 62 hectares, so pick a bank rather than trying to cover it all. The shoreline runs about 6.0 km, so it pays to pick a stretch and stay with it. The closest town, Greenstone, is 7.8 km away. Beyond it, Geraldton at 8.9 km and Longlac at 39 km. The nearest boundary is well away, so one set of rules covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Magnet Lake

  The records we hold are silent on depth, so plan to find it yourself. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Thunder Bay District records list cisco, blackfin cisco, rainbow smelt and bloater among the fish reported. What holds for the county may not hold for this water. At Magnet Lake the first feature you find is worth twenty minutes.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The year swings from about -20°C in January to roughly 16°C in July. The window is narrow, and fish feed hard while it lasts. Look for the thaw near early May; the fishing lifts straight after. Climate averages put the opening at about early May and the closing near mid November. The first weeks of open water and the last are the ones to plan for. The season on Magnet Lake follows the weather closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  We have no record of the rules that apply on this bank. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. Mapping is blank for access, so scout the approach before committing the car. One rod, a handful of hooks and floats, and a few small lures are enough for this water. Where access is informal, keep it that way by behaving. Where the way in crosses private ground, ask first. If the gate is shut, Longacre Lake at 3.4 km is the nearest alternative. For Magnet Lake in particular, ask before you travel.