Mainville Lake, Ontario: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Mainville Lake is a Rainy River District water, Ontario side. The country round it is lake country bush from end to end. At some 7.90 sq km it is far too large to cover on foot in a day. On our Rainy River District list it sits near the top for size. Fort Frances lies 30 km from the water. The nearest city of size is Thunder Bay, 296 km away. The nearest boundary is well away, so one set of rules covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Mainville Lake

  Depth is unmeasured here, so let the shoreline guide 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 Rainy River District include northern pike, smallmouth bass, yellow perch and walleye. Records at county level tell you what is around, not what is stocked here. Fish Mainville Lake to its features, not to its size.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Temperature averages peak at 19°C in July and bottom out at -17°C in January. The year splits cleanly: hard water, then open water. Winter locks it down, and late April brings it back. Break-up sits around late April on average, with the water closing again about mid November. Just after the ice goes and just before it returns, the fishing lifts. On Mainville Lake that shapes the whole year.

• Tackle & Baits

  The paperwork position is blank for this one. Public mapping records no formal access here, so plan for a walk and soft ground. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Check whether a boat is allowed before you tow one. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. For a change of water, Otter Bay is 3.4 km distant. Rules at Mainville Lake are worth checking on the day.