Summers Lake Fishing near Manitouwadge, Ontario

• Overview

  Set in Thunder Bay District, Summers Lake is an Ontario water. The country here is northern bush. This is a pocket water of some 5 hectares, and every part of it is reachable from the bank. Our Thunder Bay District list holds plenty of bigger water. Manitouwadge is the closest town at 32 km. Then Hornepayne, 89 km, and Terrace Bay, 91 km. The nearest edge is a long way off, so local rules apply throughout.

• Where to Fish on Summers Lake

  Nothing in our records gives a depth for this one. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Thunder Bay District records list cisco, blackfin cisco, rainbow smelt, bloater and shortjaw cisco among the fish reported. Records at county level tell you what is around, not what is stocked here. On Summers Lake the first feature you find is usually worth a session.

• Seasonal Patterns

  On the long-term average, July reads 16°C and January reads -16°C. Everything is compressed into the middle of the year. Firm cover through the cold months, then open water from early May. From about early May to around mid November, expect open water on the long-run figures. Fishing peaks soon after break-up and again before the cold returns. It holds true on Summers Lake more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public sources are silent on who controls the bank. Mapping shows an empty shoreline: no ramp, no jetty, no marked entry. Keep the gear simple: light line, small hooks, split shot and a couple of proven lures. Bank access can be seasonal on ground like this. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. Should this one be busy, Lunny Lake is 1.6 km off. Confirm access to Summers Lake locally before you travel.