Mineral Lake, Ontario: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  The Thunder Bay District end of Ontario holds Mineral Lake. The water sits 338 metres up. With some 50 hectares of water, there is room for a boat but no need of one. With about 3.7 km of edge, you can try several depths in one session. For supplies, Geraldton is 12 km out. Longlac follows at 22 km, then Greenstone at 27 km. No border sits close enough to matter.

• Where to Fish on Mineral Lake

  Depth went unrecorded, which puts the reading back on you. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Species logged across Thunder Bay District include cisco, blackfin cisco, rainbow smelt, bloater and shortjaw cisco. The county figures include rivers and lakes alike. The near bank of Mineral Lake is often the one people ignore.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Typical July readings run about 16°C; by January the average is down near -19°C. The season is measured in weeks rather than months. The lid arrives early and lasts until roughly early May. Climate averages put the opening at about early May and the closing near mid November. September and October fish steadily right up to the freeze. It holds true on Mineral Lake more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing in our records says who may fish here. No dam controls it, and the level follows the season. There is no mapped parking or launch close by, which usually means walking in. A light spinning outfit with a small box of lures and some bait covers most of what swims here. Provincial rules still apply whatever the bank status. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. Should this one be busy, Forrester Lake is 2.1 km off. Ask locally about Mineral Lake if anything is unclear.