Mottle Lake in Kenora District: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Mottle Lake sits in Kenora District, out in Ontario. The water sits 464 metres up. It measures about 91 hectares, which is a comfortable size for bank fishing. The outline measures near 5.2 km, so local knowledge counts. By elevation it is in the upper part of our Ontario listings. Ignace is the closest place, 62 km off. The nearest city of size is Thunder Bay, 185 km away. The nearest edge is a long way off, so local rules apply throughout.

• Where to Fish on Mottle Lake

  Nothing we hold settles how deep this runs. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. County-wide records name northern pike, longnose sucker, white sucker, johnny darter and logperch. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. On Mottle Lake the quiet end is the one worth the extra effort.

• Seasonal Patterns

  On the long-term average, July reads 18°C and January reads -20°C. Cold locks it up for a good stretch each year. The lid arrives early and lasts until roughly early May. Going by climate averages, expect open water from about early May until roughly mid November. The first weeks of open water and the last are the ones to plan for. It sets the rhythm of the year at Mottle Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access status is simply unknown for this water. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. Mapping is blank for access, so scout the approach before committing the car. For the pike, wire up and throw larger lures along the weed edges. Where the road in crosses private land, ask first. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. For a change of water, Cola Lake is 3.3 km distant. Treat access at Mottle Lake as something to verify.