Small Lakes That Fish Big, Really Big Bass: Angling at Granary Lake Retreat in Ontario

Never judge a bass fishery by the size of its acreage. Here's why this Northern Ontario spot should be on your bucket list.
angler fishing ontario bass

On a recent road trip through Ontario’s Algoma Country, we visited a location under new ownership called Granary Lake Retreat. Located near Blind River off Highway 17 we really didn’t know what to expect from the fishery other than an opportunity to assist them in attracting anglers and showcasing potential vacation opportunities for both U.S. and Canadian travellers.

Granary Lake Retreat is one of Ontario’s hidden gems, both in terms of surroundings and its excellent bass fishing.

aerial view granary lake retreat algoma country

As with any smaller body of water, these bigger-than-average smallmouth bass are fragile in terms of potential over-harvesting or pressure.

Luckily for vacationing visitors, most are grateful for the opportunity to catch and release these beautiful big bass and thankfully the new ownership has now had a policy of releasing all bass caught over eighteen inches to sustain this wonderful fishery for future generations to enjoy.

Larger bodies of water can sustain harvesting to a limit, but smaller lakes like Granary cannot.

aerial landscape granary lake retreat

About Granary Lake Retreat in Northern Ontario

Granary Lake Retreat is a four-season vacation destination located on 46 acres of land with 875 feet of lakefrontage on Granary Lake. The property has four rental cottages each with lake views and firepits available for use. The property also has three RV Camper spots available for rent.

Granary Lake Retreat offers guests the chance to explore the great Canadian outdoors, by providing comfortable cottage-style accommodations and camping spots suitable

for recreational vehicles (RV) and is a great place for individuals, families, young adults, groups, and couples of all ages looking to relax or tap into their adventurous side. If you like to relax on the beach, this place has what you so desire on the wide, clear sand beach right in front of your cottage, they even have a classic wood-burning sauna with a lake view. The cottages are all newly renovated, clean and spacious with Starlink WiFi and TV.

granary lake retreat exterior cottage granary lake retreat kitchen granary lake retreat living room

So what was the bass fishing like at Granary Lake Retreat? 

The bass fishing is simply VERY good.

We didn’t have to venture very far on this small lake to find the kind of bass that call this lake home—casting a three-inch swim bait along the first breaks along a sand flat produced back-to-back three-pound bass on a hot sunny afternoon approximately one hour after arriving and unloading our gear, impressed, yes.

angler fishing ontario bass algoma country

We continued our bass quest along sharp-dropping rock points and grassy areas with similar results and found some off-shore humps with our electronics that produced bass over four-plus pounds with Ned Rig crawfish and bug baits dragged and hopped along the bottom. After a belly-filling BBQ dinner, we continued our bass bash using noisy topwater poppers along similar locations a little further up the lake and immediately hooked up with similar-sized bass willing to add to the enjoyment of our new adventure and location. 

boat fishing

If the smaller lake, smaller resort atmosphere is for you, then contact Granary Lake Retreat. They have exactly what you’re looking for in a family vacation and the bass fishing is above average.

Please remember, catch and release works and the retreat policy of releasing all bass over 18 inches and enjoy your vacations in Go Fish in Ontario.

Granary Lake Retreat

2429 Granary Lake Road Blind River Ontario P0R 1B0
Email: Reservations@GranaryLakeRetreat.com
PH: (705) 356-5550
Web: https://www.granarylakeretreat.com/

About Karl Kalonka

It's possible Karl's love for fishing began as early as the age of five. His parents took the kids on weekend trips across Ontario fishing for panfish, catfish, and bass. "I started with a bobber and worm from the time I was five years old," says Karl. These days, he has the enviable task of doing what he loves for a living, travelling across Ontario fishing, filming and producing two outdoor series, Extreme Angler and Crappie Angler TV.

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