Fishing at Pineal Lake, Sudbury, Ontario

• Overview

  This water sits in Sudbury, Ontario. It lies 432 metres above sea level. This is sizeable water at about 1.54 sq km, and a boat opens up most of it. At about 11 km of edge, most people work one arm at a time. On our Sudbury list it sits near the top for size. Chapleau sits 40 km from here and is the nearest stop. The nearest city of size is Greater Sudbury, 230 km away. The nearest boundary is well away, so one set of rules covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Pineal Lake

  Depth remains unrecorded, so treat the first session as a survey. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Species logged across Sudbury include smallmouth bass, northern pike, yellow perch, Iowa darter and walleye. County records show the wider picture rather than this one place. Pineal Lake fishes better once you know its edges.

• Seasonal Patterns

  In an average year July sits at 16°C and January at -15°C. Seasons are distinct, and each one fishes differently. Ice-out usually falls in late April, and the weeks after it fish hardest. On the long-run averages the water opens up around late April and starts locking again about mid November. Late spring and early autumn carry the year between them. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Pineal Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  The access position is unclear from public sources. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. The map shows no ramp or car park nearby, so this is a walk-in water. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Season dates differ by species, so read the table. Some ground is open by custom rather than by right, so tread carefully. The nearest alternative is Morse Lake, 2.1 km out. The position on Pineal Lake is worth confirming on the day.