Tillie Lake Fishing near Capreol, Ontario

• Overview

  Tillie Lake sits within Sudbury in Ontario. Everything around it is mixed forest. Around 78 hectares of surface means several distinct areas to work. You are looking at roughly 9.1 km of shoreline, with plenty of water between access points. The closest town, Capreol, is 37 km distant. Further out sit Valley East (44 km) and Rayside-Balfour (50 km). It sits well inside its county, with no border complications.

• Where to Fish on Tillie Lake

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Reported across Sudbury: smallmouth bass, northern pike, yellow perch, Iowa darter and walleye. County records show what lives in the area; the local agency holds the water-by-water list. On Tillie Lake a short move beats a long cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Seasonal averages run from -15°C in January up to 17°C in July. Cold winters and warm summers give a wide working range. Look for the thaw near late April; the fishing lifts straight after. Open water usually runs from late April until about late November. Reckon on open water from spring through to late autumn, with May and June the strongest. It sets the rhythm of the year at Tillie Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Who may fish here is not settled in anything we hold. Records list it as a natural water body rather than an impoundment. Access points are not mapped for this water, which suits people who like quiet. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Ask in the nearest town if you are unsure. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. Should this one be busy, Tillie Creek is 1.4 km off. Check the position on Tillie Lake before loading the car.