Serviss Lake Fishing near Chapleau, Ontario

• Overview

  The Sudbury entry here is Serviss Lake, in Ontario. This is northern bush country. About 1.63 sq km, so local knowledge or a boat saves a lot of walking. There is roughly 14 km of bank, more than one visit can cover properly. Few waters listed in Sudbury are bigger. Head to Chapleau, 15 km away, for anything you forgot. For a city, Greater Sudbury is 226 km off. There is no boundary nearby to worry about.

• Where to Fish on Serviss Lake

  Depth figures are not published for this one. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. Species logged across Sudbury include smallmouth bass, northern pike and yellow perch. Take it as the county picture rather than a promise for this water. At Serviss Lake the water rewards a slow, careful approach.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July to average close to 17°C, with January the cold end at about -16°C. This is a two-season water: locked, then wide open. Winter fishing happens on the ice here, with open water back around late April. Open water usually runs from late April until about mid November. Fishing peaks soon after break-up and again before the cold returns. It holds true on Serviss Lake more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  We have no record of the rules that apply on this bank. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. We find no slipway, car park or made path within a short radius, so treat access as rough. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Sort the permit out before you load the car. Where the way in crosses private ground, ask first. Emerald Lake sits 2.4 km off and takes the overflow. Check the position on Serviss Lake before loading the car.