Fishing Troutfly Lake in Kenora District, Ontario

• Overview

  The Kenora District end of Ontario holds Troutfly Lake. The water sits 400 metres up. At 2.01 sq km this is proper open water rather than a pond. The shoreline runs about 13 km, so it pays to pick a stretch and stay with it. You are 23 km from Dryden. It is 284 km to Thunder Bay, the nearest city. Round about: Gardnar Lake (2.7 km), Beartrack Lake 2.9 km, Lose Lake (2.9 km), Laval Lake 4.3 km and Diamond Lake (4.7 km). This one is safely inside the county line.

• Where to Fish on Troutfly Lake

  Nothing we hold settles how deep this runs. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. Species logged across Kenora District include northern pike, longnose sucker and white sucker. Take it as the county picture rather than a promise for this water. Troutfly Lake responds to conditions more than to tactics.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The year swings from about -18°C in January to roughly 18°C in July. A hard winter is normal, and the thaw brings a strong few weeks. The lid usually sets by midwinter and gives way around late April. Break-up near late April, freeze-up near mid November: that is the shape of an average year. The strong weeks are the first after break-up and the last before the freeze. Time your trip to Troutfly Lake by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public data does not answer the access question here. Records list it as a natural water body rather than an impoundment. Fishing from a pier is possible 750 m away. A wire trace and a big bright lure handle the pike; deep water asks for a heavier spoon. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. Should this one be busy, Gardnar Lake is 2.7 km off. For Troutfly Lake, the notice at the access point is the final word.