Fishing at Saunders Lake, Algoma, Ontario

• Overview

  Saunders Lake falls in Algoma, part of Ontario. The bank is 393 metres above sea level. Surface area is around 97 hectares, which gives you real water without needing a boat. The perimeter runs near 8.7 km, so plan the walk before you start. It is among the larger waters listed here for Algoma. Start from Thessalon, 36 km down the road. After that come Blind River at 60 km and Sault Ste. Marie at 64 km. There is no boundary nearby to worry about.

• Where to Fish on Saunders Lake

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Across Algoma, recorded fish include walleye, northern pike and Iowa darter. The list covers the county rather than this water alone, so treat it as a guide. The shape of Saunders Lake decides where the fish sit.

• Seasonal Patterns

  July runs about 18°C on average, January about -12°C. The season turns properly here, and fish follow it closely. Ice-out usually falls in late April, and the weeks after it fish hardest. Climate figures give an open season running late April to late November. The strong weeks are the first after break-up and the last before the freeze. That is the shape of the year on Saunders Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. The map shows no ramp or car park nearby, so this is a walk-in water. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Check whether a boat is allowed before you tow one. Where tickets apply, they are sold in the nearest town rather than on the bank. Failing this one, try Green Lake, 0.7 km away. Signs at Saunders Lake carry more weight than any list.