Fishing at Mowe Lake, Thunder Bay District, Ontario

• Overview

  Mowe Lake is listed under Thunder Bay District, Ontario. The country round it is pine and birch from end to end. At 6.40 sq km this is proper open water rather than a pond. At about 27 km of edge, most people fish a single area and learn it well. It is among the larger waters listed here for Thunder Bay District. Nearest place of any size is Grand Marais, 71 km away. After that come Atikokan at 80 km and Ely at 96 km. The county line is nowhere near, so one local authority covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Mowe Lake

  No published figure covers depth, so learn it as you fish. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Open biodiversity records for Thunder Bay District list cisco, blackfin cisco, rainbow smelt and bloater. The county figures include rivers and lakes alike. The shape of Mowe Lake rewards a slow walk along one bank.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Average temperature peaks around 18°C in July and bottoms out near -16°C in January. Expect a real winter and a strong spring after it. The open season starts with the thaw, near enough late April. Open water usually runs from late April until about late November. The middle of summer slows a little, with dawn and dusk carrying it. That is the shape of the year on Mowe Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  No public source sets out the position on this bank. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. We find no slipway, car park or made path within a short radius, so treat access as rough. One rod, a handful of hooks and floats, and a few small lures are enough for this water. Sort the permit out before you load the car. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. If the gate is shut, Big Ghee Lake at 2.6 km is the nearest alternative. Check the position at Mowe Lake before loading the car.