Sulphur Lake in Sudbury: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Sulphur Lake lies in Sudbury, Ontario. Around the bank it is pine and birch. It measures about 64 hectares, which is a comfortable size for bank fishing. The perimeter runs near 6.7 km, so plan the walk before you start. Compared with other Ontario water on our list, it sits high. The closest town, Elliot Lake, is 92 km away. Greater Sudbury is the closest city, 139 km away. It sits well inside its county, with no border complications.

• Where to Fish on Sulphur Lake

  We hold no survey for this water; read the slope of the shoreline instead. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Sudbury records list smallmouth bass, northern pike, yellow perch and Iowa darter among the fish reported. These are county-wide records, so not all of them will be in this water. Fish Sulphur Lake where the bottom changes rather than where it looks deep.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Temperature averages peak at 17°C in July and bottom out at -15°C in January. Seasons are distinct, and each one fishes differently. Winter fishing happens on the ice here, with open water back around late April. On the long-run averages the water opens up around late April and starts locking again about late November. The shoulder weeks of the open season are the productive ones. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Sulphur Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. Public mapping records no formal access here, so plan for a walk and soft ground. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Some banks are open only from a marked point. A polite question at the farm gate opens more banks than anything else. Failing this one, try Surprise Lake, 1.2 km away. Check the position at Sulphur Lake before loading the car.