Oriana Lake in Rainy River District: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Oriana Lake is one of the Rainy River District waters in Ontario. It sits at 381 metres above sea level. The bank runs about 25 km in total, split between open shore and sheltered corners. Size puts it in the front rank of our Rainy River District list. Head to Atikokan, 20 km away, for anything you forgot. After that come Ely at 77 km and Ignace at 93 km. The county line is nowhere near, so one local authority covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Oriana 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. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Records held for Rainy River District cover northern pike, smallmouth bass, yellow perch and walleye. Those are county-wide records, so not every one of them will be in this water. On Oriana Lake that means starting tight and working out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warmest month averages 18°C, the coldest about -17°C. Cold locks it up for a good stretch each year. Ice-out usually falls in late April, and the weeks after it fish hardest. On average, late April opens the water and mid November closes it again. Right after break-up, and again as the nights sharpen, is when to go. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Oriana Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access status is simply unknown for this water. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. A campsite is mapped about 360 m away, which makes an early start easier. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Ask in the nearest town if you are unsure. Barbless rules turn up on managed water more often than not. Cain Lake sits 3 km off and takes the overflow. Confirm access to Oriana Lake locally before you travel.