Fishing at Metcalfe Lake, Thunder Bay District, Ontario

• Overview

  Set in Thunder Bay District, Ontario, this is Metcalfe Lake. Height above sea level is 316 metres. This is sizeable water at about 1.58 sq km, and a boat opens up most of it. The perimeter runs near 7.4 km, so plan the walk before you start. Size puts it in the front rank of our Thunder Bay District list. Nearest place of any size is Greenstone, 59 km away. The nearest city of size is Thunder Bay, 230 km away. No border sits close enough to matter.

• Where to Fish on Metcalfe Lake

  No figure exists for depth, so let the water show you. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. County-wide records name cisco, blackfin cisco and rainbow smelt. The county figures include rivers and lakes alike. The shape of Metcalfe Lake rewards a slow walk along one bank.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Average temperature peaks around 16°C in July and bottoms out near -20°C in January. Winter owns most of the year at this latitude. The open season starts with the thaw, near enough early May. Climate figures give an open season running early May to mid November. Late spring and early autumn carry the year between them. That shapes the year on Metcalfe Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  We hold no note on access for this one. No dam controls it, and the level follows the season. No car park, ramp or path is recorded within easy reach of the shore. One rod, a handful of hooks and floats, and a few small lures are enough for this water. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. If the gate is shut, Hendrickson Lake at 1.8 km is the nearest alternative. For Metcalfe Lake, the notice at the access point is the final word.