Fishing at Manion Lake, Rainy River District, Ontario

• Overview

  Set in Rainy River District, Ontario, this is Manion Lake. The land about it is pine and birch. Around 11.45 sq km of open water: conditions change from one end to the other. The shoreline runs to about 33 km, far more than one trip can cover. It ranks high for size among our Rainy River District listings. Nearest place of any size is Atikokan, 54 km away. Ignace is 74 km and Fort Frances 86 km. No boundary runs near, so the local rules hold throughout.

• Where to Fish on Manion Lake

  Depth is not on record here, which means reading the ground instead. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Open biodiversity records for Rainy River District list northern pike, smallmouth bass, yellow perch and walleye. County records show what lives in the area; the local agency holds the water-by-water list. Manion Lake responds to conditions more than to tactics.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Climate records put July near 18°C and January near -17°C. The season turns properly here, and fish follow it closely. Break-up comes around late April, and the run that follows is short and strong. Expect the water usable from around late April until roughly mid November. May into June fishes hardest, and September gives a second good stretch before the lid returns. Time your trip to Manion Lake by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether you may fish here is not something records settle. Records list it as a natural water body rather than an impoundment. No car park, ramp or path is recorded within easy reach of the shore. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. Pettit Lake at 5.5 km is the sensible second choice. Treat access at Manion Lake as something to verify.