Nolan Lake near Amethyst Harbour: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  In Ontario, Nolan Lake belongs to Thunder Bay District. Elevation runs to 395 metres. Around 23 hectares of surface means several distinct areas to work. The edge runs 2.4 km or so, easy to work in an afternoon. 26 km away sits Amethyst Harbour, the nearest town. Shuniah Township is 39 km away, with Nipigon at 44 km. Not far off: Bigger Lake (2.4 km), Long Lake lies 2.5 km on, Clegge Lake (2.7 km), Demuth Lake lies 2.7 km on and Gray Lake (3.3 km). It lies deep inside the county rather than near an edge.

• Where to Fish on Nolan Lake

  Depth here is unknown, so count the lead down before committing. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Records held for Thunder Bay District cover cisco, blackfin cisco, rainbow smelt, bloater and shortjaw cisco. It is the county picture; the agency list is water-specific. On Nolan Lake the obvious spot is not always the productive one.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages move between -17°C in January and 17°C in July. A short, intense season is the rule this far north. Count the season from break-up, usually early May. In an average year the thaw lands around early May and the freeze near mid November. Reckon on open water from spring through to late autumn, with May and June the strongest. It holds true on Nolan Lake more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing on record says whether the bank is open or closed. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. Mapping shows an empty shoreline: no ramp, no jetty, no marked entry. One rod, a handful of hooks and floats, and a few small lures are enough for this water. Where access is informal, keep it that way by behaving. Where tickets apply, they are sold in the nearest town rather than on the bank. Bigger Lake sits 2.4 km off and takes the overflow. Rules at Nolan Lake are worth checking on the day.