Mishibishu Lake, Ontario: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  In Ontario, Mishibishu Lake falls inside Thunder Bay District. Everything around it is rolling bush. About 8.20 sq km, so local knowledge or a boat saves a lot of walking. It is among the larger waters listed here for Thunder Bay District. Wawa at 48 km is the nearest place to stop. Thunder Bay sits 286 km out, and it is the nearest city worth the name. The county line is nowhere near, so one local authority covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Mishibishu Lake

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Thunder Bay District records list cisco, blackfin cisco and rainbow smelt among the fish reported. What holds for the county may not hold for this water. Work Mishibishu Lake in sections rather than trying to cover it.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warm month here averages 16°C; the cold one sits at -14°C. The middle months are generous; the ends are demanding. Count the season from break-up, usually early May. The water is typically free of ice between early May and mid November. May into June fishes hardest, and September gives a second good stretch before the lid returns. Time your trip to Mishibishu Lake by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  Our records carry no access rule either way. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. Formal access is not mapped, so the last stretch is likely on foot. Keep the gear simple: light line, small hooks, split shot and a couple of proven lures. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. Failing this one, try Harrison Lake, 2.4 km away. Confirm access to Mishibishu Lake locally before you travel.