Fishing Park Lake in Algoma, Ontario

• Overview

  Park Lake is one of the Algoma waters in Ontario. The surroundings are boreal forest. At about 74 hectares, a day is enough to walk the shoreline properly. The shoreline runs about 5.4 km, so it pays to pick a stretch and stay with it. The nearest town is Hornepayne, 28 km away. The big place round here is Thunder Bay, 354 km distant. The nearest boundary is well away, so one set of rules covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Park Lake

  Depth figures are not published for this one. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Fish documented in Algoma include walleye, northern pike and Iowa darter. Those are county-wide records, so not every one of them will be in this water. Park Lake gives up its fish to patience rather than distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July to average close to 16°C, with January the cold end at about -18°C. The freeze holds for the better part of the year. Once it clears, about early May, the fishing comes on quickly. The season between ice runs from about early May to mid November. Spring is short and heavy here; autumn is longer and steadier. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Park Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. There is a launch about 940 m from the bank. Parking sits 900 m out, which makes for a walk with tackle. You can camp 520 m off, which suits an early start. Facilities include toilets around 440 m from here. Local rules can differ across the county line, so check where you stand. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. For a change of water, Nagagamisis Lake is 2.9 km distant. Confirm before you fish Park Lake.