Walsh Lake Fishing near Atikokan, Ontario

• Overview

  In Ontario, Walsh Lake belongs to Rainy River District. It lies 375 metres above sea level. At about 38 hectares, a day is enough to walk the shoreline properly. With about 4.0 km of edge, you can try several depths in one session. For a base, Atikokan sits 31 km out. Ely is 66 km away, with Babbitt at 88 km. If this one is busy: Sturgeon Lake lies 3 km on, Yeh Lake at 4.5 km, Burntside Lake lies 4.5 km on, Ceph Lake at 5.8 km and Tubman Lake lies 6.4 km on. There is no boundary nearby to worry about.

• Where to Fish on Walsh Lake

  Our records hold no depth for this water. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. Fish documented in Rainy River District include northern pike, smallmouth bass, yellow perch, walleye and white sucker. The county figures include rivers and lakes alike. Walsh Lake gives up its fish to patience rather than distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  July runs about 18°C on average, January about -16°C. Fishing here follows the temperature more than the calendar. Look for the thaw near late April; the fishing lifts straight after. Averages place the thaw at late April and the freeze at mid November. The shoulder weeks of the open season are the productive ones. The season on Walsh Lake rarely departs from it.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public sources are silent on who controls the bank. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. Mapping shows no built access close by; expect to walk in from wherever you can leave the car. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Local rules can differ across the county line, so check where you stand. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. Failing this one, try Sturgeon Lake, 3 km away. For Walsh Lake in particular, ask before you travel.