Upper Pays Plat Lake, Ontario: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Upper Pays Plat Lake lies within the bounds of Thunder Bay District, Ontario. It sits at 457 metres above sea level. Roughly 81 hectares: a morning covers one end, an afternoon the other. Around 6.5 km of bank, which is a long day on foot. It is high ground by Ontario standards. Schreiber is the closest town at 37 km. The big place round here is Thunder Bay, 149 km distant. It lies deep inside the county rather than near an edge.

• Where to Fish on Upper Pays Plat Lake

  The records we hold are silent on depth, so plan to find it yourself. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. County-wide records name cisco, blackfin cisco, rainbow smelt, bloater and shortjaw cisco. County data is a starting point rather than a guarantee. At Upper Pays Plat Lake light and wind decide more than tackle does.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Temperature averages peak at 16°C in July and bottom out at -18°C in January. The window is narrow, and fish feed hard while it lasts. Look for the thaw near early May; the fishing lifts straight after. Open water usually runs from early May until about mid November. September and October fish steadily right up to the freeze. Upper Pays Plat Lake fishes to that pattern most years.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. We find no slipway, car park or made path within a short radius, so treat access as rough. A light spinning outfit with a small box of lures and some bait covers most of what swims here. Check whether a boat is allowed before you tow one. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. Kaylyn Lake sits 2.1 km off and takes the overflow. Check the position on Upper Pays Plat Lake before loading the car.