Thornben Lake Fishing Guide, Thunder Bay District, Ontario

• Overview

  Thornben Lake sits in Thunder Bay District, out in Ontario. It sits in boreal forest. The water covers some 100 hectares, so pick a bank rather than trying to cover it all. The edge covers about 6.9 km, enough to hold several distinct areas. Manitouwadge is the closest place, 54 km off. After that come Hornepayne at 60 km and Longlac at 83 km. No border sits close enough to matter.

• Where to Fish on Thornben Lake

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Reported across Thunder Bay District: cisco, blackfin cisco and rainbow smelt. The county figures include rivers and lakes alike. Treat Thornben Lake as a water to read rather than to cover.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-run averages give July about 16°C and January about -19°C. Cold dominates the year and the fishing works around it. Once it clears, about early May, the fishing comes on quickly. In an average year the thaw lands around early May and the freeze near mid November. Right after break-up, and again as the nights sharpen, is when to go. Thornben Lake fishes to that pattern most years.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing on record says whether the bank is open or closed. No dam controls it, and the level follows the season. No made access appears within a short radius, so plan to park on a verge and walk. A light spinning outfit with a small box of lures and some bait covers most of what swims here. Sort the permit out before you load the car. Where the way in crosses private ground, ask first. Should this one be busy, One Shot Lake is 1 km off. Confirm before you fish Thornben Lake.