Fishing McMullen Lake in Thunder Bay District, Ontario

• Overview

  McMullen Lake sits within Thunder Bay District in Ontario. The water sits 442 metres up. This is sizeable water at about 1.90 sq km, and a boat opens up most of it. With 18 km or so of shoreline, boat anglers cover ground the bank cannot. It ranks high for size among our Thunder Bay District listings. Nearest town is Lappe, 115 km off. Nipigon follows at 124 km, then Shuniah Township at 125 km. There is no boundary nearby to worry about.

• Where to Fish on McMullen Lake

  Depth is not on record here, which means reading the ground instead. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Thunder Bay District records list cisco, blackfin cisco, rainbow smelt and bloater among the fish reported. County records show what lives in the area; the local agency holds the water-by-water list. On McMullen Lake the obvious spot is not always the productive one.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-run averages give July about 17°C and January about -20°C. A short, intense season is the rule this far north. Hard water holds through the cold months, breaking up near early May. Going by climate averages, expect open water from about early May until roughly mid November. Late spring and early autumn carry the year between them. The season on McMullen Lake follows the weather closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  Who may fish here is not settled in anything we hold. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. There is no recorded infrastructure here; expect to find your own way in. A light spinning outfit with a small box of lures and some bait covers most of what swims here. Sort the permit out before you load the car. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. Conick Lake sits 3.4 km off and takes the overflow. For McMullen Lake in particular, ask before you travel.