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

• Overview

  Set in Thunder Bay District, Ontario, this is Wheatley Lake. It lies 347 metres above sea level. Surface area is around 15 hectares, which gives you real water without needing a boat. A shoreline of some 1.9 km keeps the choices simple. Our Thunder Bay District list holds plenty of bigger water. Greenstone is the closest town at 73 km. Geraldton follows at 82 km, then Longlac at 98 km. No border sits close enough to matter.

• Where to Fish on Wheatley Lake

  Depth here is unknown, so count the lead down before committing. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Thunder Bay District records list cisco, blackfin cisco and rainbow smelt among the fish reported. County records show what lives in the area; the local agency holds the water-by-water list. Wheatley Lake repays a walk before the first cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Average temperature peaks around 16°C in July and bottoms out near -20°C in January. A short, intense season is the rule this far north. Break-up comes around early May, and the run that follows is short and strong. Ice usually gives way near early May, and forms again about mid November. Right after break-up, and again as the nights sharpen, is when to go. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Wheatley Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  We have no record of the rules that apply on this bank. Records list it as a natural water body rather than an impoundment. No slipway, car park or made path shows up nearby in mapping, so treat access as rough. One rod, a handful of hooks and floats, and a few small lures are enough for this water. Provincial rules still apply whatever the bank status. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. The nearest alternative is Albert Lake, 3.1 km out. Confirm access to Wheatley Lake locally before you travel.