Mission Lake, Ontario: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Set in Algoma, Mission Lake is an Ontario water. It lies 209 metres above sea level. At roughly 5 hectares, the whole thing is within casting reach of a single walk. On size it sits at the modest end of our Algoma list. The town to know is Wawa, 9.4 km out. For a city, Greater Sudbury is 330 km off. The nearest boundary is well away, so one set of rules covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Mission Lake

  Nothing we hold settles how deep this runs. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. County-wide records name walleye, northern pike, Iowa darter and yellow perch. Records at county level tell you what is around, not what is stocked here. At Mission Lake light and wind decide more than tackle does.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The seasonal spread runs -14°C to 16°C. A full turn of seasons, with the strongest sport on either side of summer. The freeze runs deep into the year, with break-up near late April. Break-up sits around late April on average, with the water closing again about late November. Right after break-up, and again as the nights sharpen, is when to go. Plan around that when you fish Mission Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  The rules here are undocumented as far as public sources go. A camping area sits within 660 m of here. Michipicoten Provincial Park covers this ground, which means extra rules to check. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Look for a notice board at the entrance. Some ground is open by custom rather than by right, so tread carefully. Roller Lake at 0.7 km is the sensible second choice. Rules at Mission Lake are worth checking on the day.