Fishing Moss Lake in Kenora District, Ontario

• Overview

  In Ontario, Moss Lake falls inside Kenora District. It lies 353 metres above sea level. Roughly 96 hectares: a morning covers one end, an afternoon the other. With 7.8 km or so of shoreline, boat anglers cover ground the bank cannot. 35 km away sits Kenora, the nearest town. Winnipeg is the closest city, 158 km away. Rules here are straightforward: one set of provincial rules.

• Where to Fish on Moss Lake

  Open data we checked carries no depth for this water. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Records held for Kenora District cover northern pike, longnose sucker, white sucker and johnny darter. County records show the wider picture rather than this one place. Moss Lake responds to conditions more than to tactics.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Average temperature peaks around 19°C in July and bottoms out near -18°C in January. The freeze arrives properly here and holds. The lid usually sets by midwinter and gives way around late April. From about late April to around mid November, expect open water on the long-run figures. September and October fish steadily right up to the freeze. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Moss Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  The rules here are undocumented as far as public sources go. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. The map shows no ramp or car park nearby, so this is a walk-in water. A wire trace and a big bright lure handle the pike; deep water asks for a heavier spoon. Where a permit is needed, the nearest town usually sells it. Some ground is open by custom rather than by right, so tread carefully. Should this one be busy, Hopkins Lake is 2.3 km off. Check the position at Moss Lake before loading the car.