Sun Lake Fishing near Longlac, Ontario

• Overview

  Sun Lake is one of the Thunder Bay District waters in Ontario. The country round it is spruce and muskeg from end to end. This is sizeable water at about 1.72 sq km, and a boat opens up most of it. The shoreline runs about 12 km, so it pays to pick a stretch and stay with it. It is among the larger waters listed here for Thunder Bay District. Nearest town is Longlac, 40 km off. The nearest city of size is Thunder Bay, 226 km away. It sits well inside the county, so one set of rules covers it.

• Where to Fish on Sun Lake

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. Reported across Thunder Bay District: cisco, blackfin cisco, rainbow smelt, bloater and shortjaw cisco. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. The shape of Sun Lake decides where the fish sit.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The range across the year is -18°C to 16°C. Open water arrives late and leaves early, which concentrates the fishing. Once it clears, about early May, the fishing comes on quickly. Averages place the thaw at early May and the freeze at mid November. The open run goes from the thaw to the freeze, and April through October covers most of it. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Sun Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. There is no recorded infrastructure here; expect to find your own way in. Keep the gear simple: light line, small hooks, split shot and a couple of proven lures. Season dates differ by species, so read the table. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. For a change of water, Buxus Lake is 2.3 km distant. Where Sun Lake is concerned, a local answer beats a written one.