Return Lake Fishing Guide, Thunder Bay District, Ontario

• Overview

  Return Lake lies in Thunder Bay District, Ontario. It stands 307 metres above sea level. At some 3.16 sq km it is far too large to cover on foot in a day. The edge covers about 9.0 km, enough to hold several distinct areas. Size puts it in the front rank of our Thunder Bay District list. The town to know is Greenstone, 94 km out. Geraldton is 106 km and Longlac 127 km. The county line is nowhere near, so one local authority covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Return Lake

  No depth figure appears in our records, so the bank has to tell you. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Thunder Bay District records list cisco, blackfin cisco, rainbow smelt, bloater and shortjaw cisco among the fish reported. It is the county picture; the agency list is water-specific. On Return Lake a short move beats a long cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The year swings from about -20°C in January to roughly 16°C in July. Water stays cold even at the height of the year. Look for the thaw near early May; the fishing lifts straight after. Open water usually runs from early May until about mid November. The middle of summer slows a little, with dawn and dusk carrying it. Expect Return Lake to follow that timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing on record says whether the bank is open or closed. Records list it as a natural water body rather than an impoundment. No made access is recorded, so a short walk in is the likely arrangement. A light spinning outfit with a small box of lures and some bait covers most of what swims here. Local rules can differ across the county line, so check where you stand. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. Failing this one, try Clod Lake, 9.7 km away. Treat access at Return Lake as something to verify.