Mystery Lake, Ontario: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Mystery Lake is one of the Algoma waters in Ontario. The setting is rolling bush. With some 11 hectares of water, there is room for a boat but no need of one. With about 1.5 km of edge, you can try several depths in one session. On size it sits at the modest end of our Algoma list. Nearest town is Sault Ste. Marie, 30 km off. For a city, Greater Sudbury is 250 km off. The nearest boundary is well away, so one set of rules covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Mystery Lake

  Depth remains unrecorded, so treat the first session as a survey. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Reported across Algoma: walleye, northern pike and Iowa darter. These are county-wide records, so not all of them will be in this water. At Mystery Lake the water rewards a slow, careful approach.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Typical July readings run about 17°C; by January the average is down near -12°C. Winter closes the water for a while, and the reopening is worth catching. Firm cover through the cold months, then open water from late April. On average, late April opens the water and late November closes it again. Fishing peaks soon after break-up and again before the cold returns. Time your trip to Mystery Lake by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  Ownership and access are not documented in what we hold. No dam controls it, and the level follows the season. Mapping shows no built access close by; expect to walk in from wherever you can leave the car. 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, Sill Lake at 0.9 km is the nearest alternative. Check the position on Mystery Lake before loading the car.