Mudhen Lake in Sudbury: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Mudhen Lake sits in Sudbury, out in Ontario. It lies 402 metres above sea level. About 9 hectares of surface, which puts the far bank inside easy sight. Most waters listed here for Sudbury are larger. Dowling is the closest town at 84 km. Rayside-Balfour is 87 km away, with Capreol at 95 km. Other water nearby: Bat Lake just 0.4 km, Elspie Lake lies 0.8 km on, Crow Lake just 1.3 km, Hoot Lake lies 1.6 km on and Bushtail Lake just 2.2 km. No county line comes close, which keeps the paperwork simple.

• Where to Fish on Mudhen Lake

  Our records carry no depth, so judge it from the bank. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Records held for Sudbury cover smallmouth bass, northern pike and yellow perch. Those are county-wide records, so not every one of them will be in this water. On Mudhen Lake the quiet end is the one worth the extra effort.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Average temperature peaks around 17°C in July and bottoms out near -15°C in January. Expect a real winter and a strong spring after it. Hard cover is dependable here; it goes around late April. Ice usually gives way near late April, and forms again about late November. Reckon on open water from spring through to late autumn, with May and June the strongest. At Mudhen Lake the season follows that pattern closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access status is simply unknown for this water. Access points are not mapped for this water, which suits people who like quiet. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Rules for this water may differ from the county norm. A polite question at the farm gate opens more banks than anything else. If the gate is shut, Bat Lake at 0.4 km is the nearest alternative. Rules at Mudhen Lake are worth checking on the day.