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

• Overview

  Shova Lake lies within the bounds of Thunder Bay District, Ontario. The setting is northern bush on every side. Roughly 41 hectares: a morning covers one end, an afternoon the other. The margin runs to about 5.1 km in total. Compared with other Ontario water on our list, it sits high. The nearest place of any size is Lappe, 66 km away. Further out sit Shuniah Township (72 km) and Amethyst Harbour (75 km). Rules here are straightforward: one set of provincial rules.

• Where to Fish on Shova Lake

  Nothing we hold settles how deep this runs. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. Across Thunder Bay District, recorded fish include cisco, blackfin cisco and rainbow smelt. Records at county level tell you what is around, not what is stocked here. Read Shova Lake before you fish it and the day goes better.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Climate normals give 17°C for July and -20°C for January. Winter runs most of the calendar, and everything worth doing happens in the gap. The lid usually goes in early May, which opens the strongest weeks of the year. The open-water window runs from around early May to about mid November in an average year. June through September is the settled part of the year, with the shoulders busier for fish. The season on Shova Lake rarely departs from it.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing in our records says who may fish here. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. Nothing is mapped in the way of a ramp or car park within a short radius. One rod, a handful of hooks and floats, and a few small lures are enough for this water. Season dates differ by species, so read the table. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. Failing this one, try Hutnick Lake, 1.9 km away. Check the position at Shova Lake before loading the car.