Fishing at Reta Lake, Thunder Bay District, Ontario

• Overview

  Thunder Bay District, Ontario, is where Reta Lake sits. The country here is rolling bush. The water covers around 1.17 sq km, which puts most of it out of reach from the bank. The margin runs to about 9.3 km in total. Compared with other Ontario water on our list, it sits high. 58 km away sits Grand Marais, the nearest town. Neebing lies 79 km off, Parkdale another 88 km. The county line is nowhere near, so one local authority covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Reta Lake

  We hold no survey for this water; read the slope of the shoreline instead. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Fish documented in Thunder Bay District include cisco, blackfin cisco and rainbow smelt. Take it as the county picture rather than a promise for this water. Read Reta Lake for ten minutes before the first cast goes out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The year swings from about -16°C in January to roughly 18°C in July. Winter shuts the surface down for months. Ice fishing carries the winter, and the water opens about late April. Break-up sits around late April on average, with the water closing again about mid November. The shoulder weeks of the open season are the productive ones. At Reta Lake the season follows that pattern closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. Records list it as a natural water body rather than an impoundment. Access points are not mapped for this water, which suits people who like quiet. Keep the gear simple: light line, small hooks, split shot and a couple of proven lures. Where access is informal, keep it that way by behaving. Where parking is tight, arriving early solves most problems. For a change of water, Sprucefir Lake is 2.3 km distant. For Reta Lake in particular, ask before you travel.