Fishing Snook Lake in Kenora District, Ontario

• Overview

  Snook Lake sits within Kenora District in Ontario. The water sits 337 metres up. At some 3.02 sq km it is far too large to cover on foot in a day. At about 23 km of edge, most people work one arm at a time. Kenora at 50 km is the nearest place to stop. After that come Lac du Bonnet at 97 km and Vermilion Bay at 101 km. It lies deep inside the county rather than near an edge.

• Where to Fish on Snook Lake

  Our records carry no depth, so judge it from the bank. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. County-wide records name northern pike, longnose sucker, white sucker, johnny darter and logperch. Records at county level tell you what is around, not what is stocked here. At Snook Lake the water rewards a slow, careful approach.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Climate normals give 19°C for July and -18°C for January. The freeze arrives properly here and holds. Firm cover through the cold months, then open water from late April. In an average year the thaw lands around late April and the freeze near mid November. The first weeks of open water and the last are the ones to plan for. Plan around that when you fish Snook Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access status is simply unknown for this water. 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. A wire trace and a big bright lure handle the pike; deep water asks for a heavier spoon. Provincial rules still apply whatever the bank status. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. The nearest alternative is Fourth Lake, 1.4 km out. Rules at Snook Lake are worth checking on the day.