Tail Lake, Ontario: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Tail Lake lies within the bounds of Thunder Bay District, Ontario. It sits at 456 metres above sea level. At about 32 hectares, a day is enough to walk the shoreline properly. About 4.4 km of bank, so nothing stays unexplored for long. It is high ground by Ontario standards. The nearest town is Ignace, 73 km away. The nearest city of size is Thunder Bay, 166 km away. This one is safely inside the county line.

• Where to Fish on Tail Lake

  Nothing we hold settles how deep this runs. 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. Survey and observation records for Thunder Bay District include cisco, blackfin cisco, rainbow smelt and bloater. What holds for the county may not hold for this water. On Tail Lake the first feature you find is usually worth a session.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages here run 18°C at the top of summer and -20°C at the bottom of winter. Seasons are distinct, and each one fishes differently. The open season starts with the thaw, near enough early May. Expect the water usable from around early May until roughly mid November. Reckon on open water from spring through to late autumn, with May and June the strongest. That is the shape of the year on Tail Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing we hold confirms whether access is permitted. No dam controls it, and the level follows the season. Nothing is mapped in the way of a ramp or car park within a short radius. One rod, a handful of hooks and floats, and a few small lures are enough for this water. Read any posted signs at the access point rather than assuming. Where parking is tight, arriving early solves most problems. If the gate is shut, Jay Lake at 3.4 km is the nearest alternative. What applies at Tail Lake may have changed since it was mapped.