Sunshine Lake Fishing Guide, Rainy River District, Ontario

• Overview

  Sunshine Lake stands in Rainy River District, Ontario. Around the bank it is mixed forest. This is sizeable water at about 1.72 sq km, and a boat opens up most of it. At about 14 km of edge, most people work one arm at a time. It is high ground by Ontario standards. Some 21 km away sits Atikokan, the nearest settlement. Ignace lies 59 km off, Ely another 110 km. One jurisdiction covers this water end to end.

• Where to Fish on Sunshine Lake

  The records we hold are silent on depth, so plan to find it yourself. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Rainy River District records list northern pike, smallmouth bass and yellow perch among the fish reported. County records show the wider picture rather than this one place. On Sunshine Lake the quiet end is the one worth the extra effort.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July to average close to 18°C, with January the cold end at about -17°C. Hard water is a season in its own right here. Hard cover is dependable here; it goes around late April. In an average year the thaw lands around late April and the freeze near mid November. The strongest runs come at either end of the open season. It sets the rhythm of the year at Sunshine Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public sources are silent on who controls the bank. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. Mapping is blank for access, so scout the approach before committing the car. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Provincial rules still apply whatever the bank status. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. Should this one be busy, Caldwell Lake is 2.7 km off. Confirm before you fish Sunshine Lake.