Milfair Lake near Longlac: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  In Ontario, Milfair Lake falls inside Thunder Bay District. The water sits 316 metres up. At some 1.49 sq km it is far too large to cover on foot in a day. There is roughly 11 km of bank, more than one visit can cover properly. It ranks high for size among our Thunder Bay District listings. Supplies mean a trip to Longlac, 21 km off. Further out sit Geraldton (24 km) and Greenstone (38 km). No county line comes close, which keeps the paperwork simple.

• Where to Fish on Milfair Lake

  Depth is not on record here, so the bank has to tell you. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. Thunder Bay District records list cisco, blackfin cisco and rainbow smelt among the fish reported. These are county-wide records, so not all of them will be in this water. The shape of Milfair Lake decides where the fish sit.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-term averages put July at about 16°C and January near -19°C. This far north the hard season runs and runs. Winter locks it down, and early May brings it back. Expect the water usable from around early May until roughly mid November. May into June fishes hardest, and September gives a second good stretch before the lid returns. Expect Milfair Lake to follow that timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  We have no record of the rules that apply on this bank. Records list it as a natural water body rather than an impoundment. Mapping is blank for access, so scout the approach before committing the car. One rod, a handful of hooks and floats, and a few small lures are enough for this water. Sort the permit out before you load the car. Barbless rules turn up on managed water more often than not. Mosquito Lake at 2.1 km is the sensible second choice. For Milfair Lake in particular, ask before you travel.