Rat Lake Fishing near Kirkland Lake, Ontario

• Overview

  Rat Lake is a Timiskaming District water, Ontario side. It lies 292 metres above sea level. This is a pocket water of some 6 hectares, and every part of it is reachable from the bank. Most waters listed here for Timiskaming District are larger. Kirkland Lake sits 28 km from the bank. Greater Sudbury is the closest city, 225 km away. One jurisdiction covers this water end to end.

• Where to Fish on Rat Lake

  Our records hold no depth for this water. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Public occurrence data for Timiskaming District names brook trout, northern pike, yellow perch, Iowa darter and walleye. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. Take Rat Lake a stretch at a time.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Climate normals give 17°C for July and -17°C for January. This far north the hard season runs and runs. The lid usually sets by midwinter and gives way around early May. In an average year the thaw lands around early May and the freeze near mid November. Late spring and early autumn carry the year between them. That is the shape of the year on Rat Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Our records carry no access rule either way. Access points are not mapped for this water, which suits people who like quiet. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. Barbless rules turn up on managed water more often than not. If the gate is shut, Farnes Lake at 1.3 km is the nearest alternative. The position on Rat Lake is worth confirming on the day.