Mark Lake, Ontario: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Set in Rainy River District, Ontario, this is Mark Lake. The surroundings are rolling bush. Around 26 hectares of surface means several distinct areas to work. With about 2.7 km of edge, you can try several depths in one session. It is a small entry by Rainy River District standards. You are 18 km from Atikokan. Ignace is 74 km and Ely 104 km. No county line comes close, which keeps the paperwork simple.

• Where to Fish on Mark Lake

  Our records carry no depth, so judge it from the bank. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. County-wide records name northern pike, smallmouth bass, yellow perch and walleye. These are county-wide records, so not all of them will be in this water. Take Mark Lake a stretch at a time.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warm month here averages 18°C; the cold one sits at -17°C. The season turns properly here, and fish follow it closely. Expect a solid lid for months and a thaw around late April. Break-up sits around late April on average, with the water closing again about mid November. Fish feed hardest at the start and the close of the open season. On Mark Lake that shapes the whole year.

• Tackle & Baits

  The rules here are undocumented as far as public sources go. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. There is no recorded infrastructure here; expect to find your own way in. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Gates get locked out of season on water like this. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. If the gate is shut, Osinawi Lake at 2.3 km is the nearest alternative. Rules at Mark Lake are worth checking on the day.