Fishing Sly Lake in Rainy River District, Ontario

• Overview

  Look for Sly Lake in the Rainy River District part of Ontario. What surrounds it is rolling bush. Roughly 77 hectares: a morning covers one end, an afternoon the other. The edge covers about 5.7 km, enough to hold several distinct areas. The closest town, Atikokan, is 42 km away. It is 208 km to Thunder Bay, the nearest city. The county line is nowhere near, so one local authority covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Sly Lake

  Nothing in our records gives a depth for this one. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Fish documented in Rainy River District include northern pike, smallmouth bass, yellow perch, walleye and white sucker. Records at county level tell you what is around, not what is stocked here. On Sly Lake the quiet end is the one worth the extra effort.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Seasonal averages run from -16°C in January up to 18°C in July. Four clear seasons, with a proper winter at one end. The lid usually sets by midwinter and gives way around late April. Break-up near late April, freeze-up near mid November: that is the shape of an average year. The first weeks of open water and the last are the ones to plan for. Plan around that when you fish Sly Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. No dam controls it, and the level follows the season. Mapping is blank for access, so scout the approach before committing the car. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Parking space is the usual limit rather than the bank itself. Where parking is tight, arriving early solves most problems. Beaverhouse Lake sits 3.9 km off and takes the overflow. For Sly Lake in particular, ask before you travel.