Ringlet Lake in Thunder Bay District: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  The Thunder Bay District entry here is Ringlet Lake, in Ontario. Height above sea level is 370 metres. Surface area is around 37 hectares, which gives you real water without needing a boat. With about 3.8 km of edge, you can try several depths in one session. Nipigon at 58 km is the nearest place to stop. The big place round here is Thunder Bay, 156 km distant. The nearest edge is a long way off, so local rules apply throughout.

• Where to Fish on Ringlet Lake

  Nothing we hold settles how deep this runs. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. 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. Records at county level tell you what is around, not what is stocked here. On Ringlet Lake the quiet end is the one worth the extra effort.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warmest month averages 16°C, the coldest about -20°C. This far north the hard season runs and runs. The lid usually sets by midwinter and gives way around early May. Expect the water usable from around early May until roughly mid November. Fishing peaks soon after break-up and again before the cold returns. Ringlet Lake runs to that rhythm year in and year out.

• Tackle & Baits

  The paperwork position is blank for this one. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. Mapping shows an empty shoreline: no ramp, no jetty, no marked entry. Keep the gear simple: light line, small hooks, split shot and a couple of proven lures. Rules differ from one water to the next round here. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. Failing this one, try Biceps Lake, 2.4 km away. The position on Ringlet Lake is worth confirming on the day.