Trish Lake in Thunder Bay District: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  The Thunder Bay District end of Ontario holds Trish Lake. The country here is northern bush. Surface area is around 55 hectares, which gives you real water without needing a boat. The edge runs 4.8 km or so, easy to work in an afternoon. Geraldton lies 46 km from the water. The nearest city of size is Thunder Bay, 199 km away. Rules here are straightforward: one set of provincial rules.

• Where to Fish on Trish Lake

  Our records carry no depth, so judge it from the bank. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Fish documented in Thunder Bay District include cisco, blackfin cisco, rainbow smelt, bloater and shortjaw cisco. These are county-wide records, so not all of them will be in this water. At Trish Lake the water rewards a slow, careful approach.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The seasonal spread runs -18°C to 16°C. This is a two-season water: locked, then wide open. The lid arrives early and lasts until roughly early May. Expect the water usable from around early May until roughly mid November. September and October fish steadily right up to the freeze. Trish Lake runs to its own calendar within the local pattern.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing we hold confirms whether access is permitted. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. Access is unmapped, which usually means a farm track and a walk. 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. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. If the gate is shut, Zircon Lake at 2.3 km is the nearest alternative. Check the position at Trish Lake before loading the car.