Otter Lake Fishing near Wawa, Ontario

• Overview

  Set in Algoma, Ontario, this is Otter Lake. The bank is 332 metres above sea level. It covers about 6 hectares, so this is small water you can walk round in under an hour. Most waters listed here for Algoma are larger. Wawa is the closest place, 4 km off. Chapleau lies 104 km off, Hornepayne another 132 km. There is no boundary nearby to worry about.

• Where to Fish on Otter Lake

  Depth remains unrecorded, so treat the first session as a survey. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Across Algoma, recorded fish include walleye, northern pike, Iowa darter and yellow perch. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. At Otter Lake light and wind decide more than tackle does.

• Seasonal Patterns

  July is the warm end of the year here, averaging about 16°C, while January sits near -15°C. Hard water is a season in its own right here. Firm cover through the cold months, then open water from late April. From about late April to around mid November, expect open water on the long-run figures. Look to early summer and the first cool weeks of autumn. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Otter Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  No public source sets out the position on this bank. Nothing built is recorded close to the bank here. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Local rules can differ across the county line, so check where you stand. Where parking is tight, arriving early solves most problems. Failing this one, try Little Soulier Lake, 0.7 km away. Confirm access to Otter Lake locally before you travel.