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

• Overview

  Schist Lake lies within the bounds of Thunder Bay District, Ontario. The land about it is northern bush. The far bank is a conversation away, so keep low and quiet. It is a small entry by Thunder Bay District standards. The nearest town is Manitouwadge, 2.3 km away. Beyond it, Hornepayne at 80 km and Longlac at 87 km. The nearest edge is a long way off, so local rules apply throughout.

• Where to Fish on Schist Lake

  No depth figure has reached our records, which makes a plummet useful. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Fish documented in Thunder Bay District include cisco, blackfin cisco, rainbow smelt and bloater. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. Fish Schist Lake to its features, not to its size.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The seasonal spread runs -17°C to 16°C. Long winters and short summers set the pattern. Once it clears, about early May, the fishing comes on quickly. Average temperatures cross freezing around early May in spring and again near mid November in autumn. The strong weeks are the first after break-up and the last before the freeze. Schist Lake runs to its own calendar within the local pattern.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing on record says whether the bank is open or closed. Nothing in the way of made access shows up nearby: no ramp, no car park, no path. One rod, a handful of hooks and floats, and a few small lures are enough for this water. Parking space is the usual limit rather than the bank itself. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. Blades Lake at 0.9 km is the sensible second choice. What applies at Schist Lake may have changed since it was mapped.