Pond Lake Fishing in Thunder Bay District, Ontario

• Overview

  Ontario holds Pond Lake, in Thunder Bay District. The bank is 453 metres above sea level. At 2 hectares it is the sort of place you fish for an evening rather than a day. Our Thunder Bay District list holds plenty of bigger water. Nipigon is the closest town at 40 km. It is 140 km to Thunder Bay, the nearest city. No county line comes close, which keeps the paperwork simple.

• Where to Fish on Pond Lake

  Depth is not on record here, so the bank has to tell you. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Fish documented in Thunder Bay District include cisco, blackfin cisco, rainbow smelt and bloater. County data is a starting point rather than a guarantee. At Pond Lake light and wind decide more than tackle does.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Temperature averages peak at 16°C in July and bottom out at -19°C in January. The freeze holds for the better part of the year. The open season starts with the thaw, near enough early May. Averages place the thaw at early May and the freeze at mid November. Late spring and early autumn carry the year between them. Time your trip to Pond Lake by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  The rules here are undocumented as far as public sources go. The map shows no ramp or car park nearby, so this is a walk-in water. Keep the gear simple: light line, small hooks, split shot and a couple of proven lures. Sort the permit out before you load the car. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. If the gate is shut, Mush Lake at 2 km is the nearest alternative. Check the position at Pond Lake before loading the car.