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

• Overview

  South Fowl Lake is a Thunder Bay District water, Ontario side. This is mixed forest ground. About 7.14 sq km, so local knowledge or a boat saves a lot of walking. At about 31 km of edge, most people fish a single area and learn it well. Size puts it in the front rank of our Thunder Bay District list. Grand Marais is the closest place, 42 km off. The nearest city of size is Thunder Bay, 66 km away. This one is safely inside the county line.

• Where to Fish on South Fowl Lake

  There is no recorded depth, so work from what you can see. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Reported across Thunder Bay District: cisco, blackfin cisco, rainbow smelt, bloater and shortjaw cisco. County data is a starting point rather than a guarantee. South Fowl Lake gives up its fish to patience rather than distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Typical July readings run about 17°C; by January the average is down near -15°C. Hard water is a season in its own right here. After late April the shallows warm and the fish move up. Averages place the thaw at late April and the freeze at late November. September and October fish steadily right up to the freeze. On South Fowl Lake the same rules apply, with local timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. It is an impounded water, so levels are managed and can shift through the year. Overnight stays are possible about 920 m out, where camping is mapped. A light spinning outfit with a small box of lures and some bait covers most of what swims here. Rules differ from one water to the next round here. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. Royal Lake sits 2.5 km off and takes the overflow. Check the current arrangement for South Fowl Lake.