Fishing Manitou Stretch in Kenora District, Ontario

• Overview

  Manitou Stretch sits in Kenora District, out in Ontario. Lake country bush runs right down to the water. The closest town, Fort Frances, is 63 km away. Further out sit International Falls (65 km) and Dryden (75 km). Within a short drive: Grant Lake at about 3 km, 3.5 km out stands Gates Lake, Napanee Lake at about 4.2 km, 5 km out stands Toronto Lake and Dogfly Lake at about 5.6 km. No county line comes close, which keeps the paperwork simple.

• Where to Fish on Manitou Stretch

  Our records hold no depth for this water. Where two currents meet, work the crease between them. Log jams gather bait and everything that eats it. Fish documented in Kenora District include northern pike, longnose sucker, white sucker and johnny darter. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. Fish Manitou Stretch where the bottom changes rather than where it looks deep.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages move between -17°C in January and 19°C in July. Cold winters and warm summers give a wide working range. Winter narrows this to the open runs; full flow returns around late April. Climate averages put the opening at about late April and the closing near mid November. The strongest runs come at either end of the open season. It holds true on Manitou Stretch more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  Our records carry no access rule either way. Nothing built is recorded close to the bank here. Pike mean a wire trace, no exceptions; big spoons and jerkbaits do the searching. Where access is informal, keep it that way by behaving. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. Should this one be busy, Grant Lake is 3 km off. The position on Manitou Stretch is worth confirming on the day.