Reef Lake Fishing Guide, Thunder Bay District, Ontario

• Overview

  The Thunder Bay District entry here is Reef Lake, in Ontario. The surface lies 339 metres up. At 1.08 sq km this is proper open water rather than a pond. For a base, Greenstone sits 146 km out. Geraldton follows at 159 km, then Nipigon at 168 km. Other water nearby: Brush Lake 1.6 km away, Shoal Lake at about 2.3 km, Blackett Lake 6.3 km away, Whiddon Lake at about 7.3 km and Nicholls Lake 8.3 km away. The nearest edge is a long way off, so local rules apply throughout.

• Where to Fish on Reef Lake

  Depth is not on record here, which means reading the ground instead. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. County-wide records name cisco, blackfin cisco, rainbow smelt, bloater and shortjaw cisco. What holds for the county may not hold for this water. Read Reef Lake for ten minutes before the first cast goes out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages move between -21°C in January and 17°C in July. Open water arrives late and leaves early, which concentrates the fishing. Winter fishing happens on the ice here, with open water back around early May. Expect the water usable from around early May until roughly mid November. September and October fish steadily right up to the freeze. It sets the rhythm of the year at Reef Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Ownership and access are not documented in what we hold. Mapping records no facilities at all near this water. A light spinning outfit with a small box of lures and some bait covers most of what swims here. Rules for this water may differ from the county norm. Some ground is open by custom rather than by right, so tread carefully. Brush Lake sits 1.6 km off and takes the overflow. Confirm before you fish Reef Lake.