Pole Lake in Thunder Bay District: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Pole Lake falls in Thunder Bay District, part of Ontario. The setting is spruce and muskeg on every side. This is a pocket water of some 5 hectares, and every part of it is reachable from the bank. On size it sits at the modest end of our Thunder Bay District list. Nipigon sits 51 km from here and is the nearest stop. It is 150 km to Thunder Bay, the nearest city. This one is safely inside the county line.

• Where to Fish on Pole Lake

  Our records carry no depth, so judge it from the bank. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Species logged across Thunder Bay District include cisco, blackfin cisco, rainbow smelt, bloater and shortjaw cisco. County records show what lives in the area; the local agency holds the water-by-water list. On Pole Lake a short move beats a long cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  On the long-term average, July reads 16°C and January reads -20°C. The season is measured in weeks rather than months. Hard cover is dependable here; it goes around early May. On average, early May opens the water and mid November closes it again. May into June fishes hardest, and September gives a second good stretch before the lid returns. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Pole Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. No made access appears within a short radius, so plan to park on a verge and walk. Keep the gear simple: light line, small hooks, split shot and a couple of proven lures. Season dates differ by species, so read the table. A polite question at the farm gate opens more banks than anything else. For a change of water, Seal Lake is 1.4 km distant. For Pole Lake in particular, ask before you travel.