Montgomery Lake in Rainy River District: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Montgomery Lake is a Rainy River District water, in Ontario. The bank is 397 metres above sea level. The water covers around 1.54 sq km, which puts most of it out of reach from the bank. Shoreline length is close to 16 km, and each section fishes a little differently. The town to know is Atikokan, 39 km out. After that come Ely at 75 km and Babbitt at 96 km. One jurisdiction covers this water end to end.

• Where to Fish on Montgomery Lake

  Our records carry no depth, so judge it from the bank. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Fish documented in Rainy River District include northern pike, smallmouth bass, yellow perch and walleye. Take it as the county picture rather than a promise for this water. Montgomery Lake responds to conditions more than to tactics.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Climate records put July near 18°C and January near -16°C. Cold locks it up for a good stretch each year. Ice-out usually falls in late April, and the weeks after it fish hardest. Ice clears near late April and comes back about mid November in a typical year. September and October fish steadily right up to the freeze. On Montgomery Lake that shapes the whole year.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. Records list it as a natural water body rather than an impoundment. No made access appears within a short radius, so plan to park on a verge and walk. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Parking space is the usual limit rather than the bank itself. Barbless rules turn up on managed water more often than not. Shelley Lake at 2.8 km is the sensible second choice. Ask locally about Montgomery Lake if anything is unclear.