Fishing at Small Lake, Sudbury, Ontario

• Overview

  Set in Sudbury, Small Lake is an Ontario water. The land about it is northern bush. It measures about 20 hectares, which is a comfortable size for bank fishing. Bank access stretches around 2.8 km in total. It sits higher than most water we list in Ontario. The closest town, Chapleau, is 28 km distant. The big place round here is Greater Sudbury, 226 km distant. The county line is nowhere near, so one local authority covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Small Lake

  Our records carry no depth, so judge it from the bank. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Sudbury records list smallmouth bass, northern pike and yellow perch among the fish reported. Take it as the county picture rather than a promise for this water. Small Lake repays a walk before the first cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July near 16°C and January near -15°C on the long-run figures. The season is measured in weeks rather than months. After late April the shallows warm and the fish move up. Climate averages put the opening at about late April and the closing near mid November. June through September is the settled part of the year, with the shoulders busier for fish. The season on Small Lake follows the weather closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access status is simply unknown for this water. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. Access points are not mapped for this water, which suits people who like quiet. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Sort the permit out before you load the car. Where parking is tight, arriving early solves most problems. Timber Lake sits 3 km off and takes the overflow. Nothing on Small Lake should be assumed from this page alone.