Mate Lakes in Sudbury: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Mate Lakes is set in Sudbury, Ontario. It stands 389 metres above sea level. It measures about 37 hectares, which is a comfortable size for bank fishing. Around 3.9 km of margin, front to back. Head to Chapleau, 22 km away, for anything you forgot. Wawa follows at 121 km, then Timmins at 147 km. Also worth knowing: Alice Lake 1.2 km away, Waweya Lake about 1.7 km, Westover Lake 3.8 km away, Finish Lake about 5.6 km and Adams Lake 5.7 km away. This one is safely inside the county line.

• Where to Fish on Mate Lakes

  The records we hold are silent on depth, so plan to find it yourself. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. Records held for Sudbury cover smallmouth bass, northern pike and yellow perch. The county list is broader than any single water. On Mate Lakes the quiet end is the one worth the extra effort.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warm month here averages 17°C; the cold one sits at -16°C. A short, intense season is the rule this far north. Once it clears, about late April, the fishing comes on quickly. On average, late April opens the water and mid November closes it again. June through September is the settled part of the year, with the shoulders busier for fish. At Mate Lakes the season follows that pattern closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  No access rule appears in what we hold. Nothing built is recorded close to the bank here. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Sort the permit out before you load the car. Close seasons apply to some species and not others. Failing this one, try Alice Lake, 1.2 km away. Confirm access to Mate Lakes locally before you travel.