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 Ice
Fishing Lake Superior Park
By: Tyler Dunn
Tyler Dunn Guiding
Lake Superior Provincial Park is located
directly on the Trans Canada Highway only 90
minutes north of Sault Ste. Marie. “The Park” as
locals refers to it as is one of Ontario’s true
trout gems boasting 1600 km2 of fantastic
fishing. Established for the enjoyment of
Ontario in 1944, the park had limited access
until 1967 when highway 17 was completed. Lakes
located in Lake Superior Park are primarily full
of lake and brook trout although splake and
northern pike are also available. A portion of
the lakes are stocked with fish for put and take
but many of the interior lakes are chalked full
of natural, reproducing fish. These hard
fighting trout display some of the most
brilliant colours you will ever see on an inland
trout.
Visiting “The Park” in the winter is an
adventure all on its own. Preparation for your
day is a key factor for any successful outing.
Depending on the distance you plan to travel.
Your gear list should shorten significantly on
trips of 1km or more. 1 jigging rod and a spool
of line or tip-up is sufficient for one angler
on deep interior trips. In my pack you will also
find some food, beverages, a chair and bait. The
only other gear I will bring is a camera, small
tackle box, safety gear, GPS and an extra shirt
or two to change into when I get to the lake.
Often I will bring 2 jigging rods on trips that
are relatively close and even my flasher on
occasion.
Fishing pressure in Lake Superior Provincial
Park is minimal especially during the winter
months. Choosing a lake or lakes to fish can
also be a difficult task for any angler, local
or not. Lakes directly off the side of highway
17 such as Mom and Dad offer some decent trout
fishing only a few seconds off the highway. If
you really want to experience what the park has
to offer t a little more effort is going have to
be put forth. 1-3 km snowshoe hikes are not
uncommon. If you’re not from the area there is
not too much i nformation available about what
lakes to fish on the interior. Most are tight
lipped about past success. If you are not going
with someone who has some experience and
suggestions on which lakes to fish, I would
suggest buying a park map and picking a lake
that is closer than 3km. Once you decide on a
lake. You should always have a time set with
someone expecting you home or at least a phone
call for safety reasons. Northern Ontario
winters are nasty and can catch you off guard on
the best of days.
Fishing a remote trout lake is an experience all
in its own. Having an interior lake to yourself
after an hour snowshoe hike is not only
satisfying but extremely exciting with the
anticipation of a banner day icing trout. Since
we have it right here in our province. Any ice
angler that roams the hard water chasing trout
owes it to themselves to fish one of Ontario`s
most pristine areas. Remember when visiting Lake
Superior Provincial Park there is no glass or
metal containers allowed and no live bait at
anytime. Check out
www.LakeSuperiorPark.ca for
more information on the park and its
regulations.
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