Strong Lake Fishing in Rainy River District, Ontario

• Overview

  In Ontario, Strong Lake belongs to Rainy River District. The surface lies 345 metres up. At 3.66 sq km this is proper open water rather than a pond. At about 18 km of edge, most people work one arm at a time. It ranks high for size among our Rainy River District listings. Fort Frances lies 41 km from the water. After that come International Falls at 43 km and Emo at 59 km. It sits well inside the county, so one set of rules covers it.

• Where to Fish on Strong Lake

  Depth figures are not published for this one. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Across Rainy River District, recorded fish include northern pike, smallmouth bass and yellow perch. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. On Strong Lake a short move beats a long cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warmest month averages 19°C, the coldest about -17°C. Cold locks it up for a good stretch each year. Ice fishing carries the winter, and the water opens about late April. On the long-run averages the water opens up around late April and starts locking again about mid November. The shoulder weeks of the open season are the productive ones. Strong Lake runs to its own calendar within the local pattern.

• Tackle & Baits

  The paperwork position is blank for this one. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. Nothing is mapped in the way of a ramp or car park within a short radius. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Sort the permit out before you load the car. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. Hickerson Lake at 2.4 km is the sensible second choice. Rules at Strong Lake are worth checking on the day.