William Lake Fishing in Rainy River District, Ontario

• Overview

  Ontario holds William Lake, in Rainy River District. It sits in lake country bush country. It measures some 2.81 sq km, and wind has room to build across it. At about 20 km of edge, most people work one arm at a time. Start from Ely, 48 km down the road. Atikokan is 49 km away, with Babbitt at 70 km. Others worth noting: Brent Lake out at 3.4 km, Conmee Lake 5.5 km, Wink Lake out at 5.8 km, Cone Lake 6 km and Poohbah Lake out at 6.5 km. It sits well inside its county, with no border complications.

• Where to Fish on William Lake

  Depth went unrecorded, which puts the reading back on you. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. Records held for Rainy River District cover northern pike, smallmouth bass and yellow perch. What holds for the county may not hold for this water. Read William Lake before you fish it and the day goes better.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-run averages give July about 18°C and January about -16°C. A full turn of seasons, with the strongest sport on either side of summer. Once it clears, about late April, the fishing comes on quickly. From about late April to around mid November, expect open water on the long-run figures. Spring is short and heavy here; autumn is longer and steadier. That is the shape of the year on William Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. No dam controls it, and the level follows the season. Nothing built is recorded close to the bank here. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Check whether a boat is allowed before you tow one. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. The nearest alternative is Brent Lake, 3.4 km out. Nothing here settles the position at William Lake for certain.