Fishing Jackfish Lake

Jackfish Lake is part of the Clearwater-Pipestone Chain of Lakes north of Emo, Ontario. Jackfish has many bays and islands giving you many sheltered bays to fish. Jackfish Lake is just north of Footprint and Lake Despair. The Lake Despair, Footprint and Jackfish Lake system has been called one of the best natural walleye producing fisheries in the Rainy River District.

If you are going into Jackfish from Clearwater Lake, the Clearwater Lake’s south rail portage will take you into the Manomin River. From there you can fish Rice Lake, Despair Lake, the Mile River and Footprint Lake. Experienced boat operators can navigate through scenic Jackfish Rapids to access East and West Jackfish Lakes. 

These south lakes i the lake chain are much shallower with stained tea colored water with lots of weed growth, for fish quantity, these lakes produce extremely well for walleye, smallmouth bass, northern pike, and perch. Black crappie are also in these lakes, although more scattered than what crappie fisherman are accustomed to, 14-inch slabs are a common size.

Jackfish Lake Lodges and Resorts

There are housekeeping cabins as well as a campground on Lake Despair. Guests staying at lodges on Clearwater Lake can also fish Jackfish Lake.