Square Lake Fishing near Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario

• Overview

  Square Lake is one of the Algoma waters in Ontario. It stands 516 metres above sea level. With some 17 hectares of water, there is room for a boat but no need of one. The edge runs 2.0 km or so, easy to work in an afternoon. Compared with other Ontario water on our list, it sits high. The closest town, Sault Ste. Marie, is 77 km distant. Greater Sudbury is the closest city, 204 km away. This one is safely inside the county line.

• Where to Fish on Square Lake

  Open data we checked carries no depth for this water. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Across Algoma, recorded fish include walleye, northern pike, Iowa darter, yellow perch and white sucker. Those are county-wide records, so not every one of them will be in this water. Square Lake responds to conditions more than to tactics.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages here run 17°C at the top of summer and -13°C at the bottom of winter. The season turns properly here, and fish follow it closely. Expect a solid lid for months and a thaw around late April. From about late April to around late November, expect open water on the long-run figures. Fish feed hardest at the start and the close of the open season. That shapes the year on Square Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  The rules here are undocumented as far as public sources go. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. Mapping records no facilities at all near this water. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Local rules can differ across the county line, so check where you stand. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. Amy Lake at 2.5 km is the sensible second choice. Confirm access to Square Lake locally before you travel.