More northerly communities rely on winter roads for access and are cut off to land travel in the summer.

The Township of Pickle Lake has a population of 425 and its main industries are transportation (by air and land) and tourism.

Pickle Lake Airport serves as the supply point to northern First Nations.

Pickle Lake was founded as a local transportation centre for mining activities after gold was discovered nearby in 1928.

Both formerly independent settlements, Central Patricia now consists only of a few buildings located at the terminus of Highway 599 within the township, while Pickle Crow is a ghost town.

[12] Pickle Lake's only local media service is the new CJTL-FM, which airs a mixed Christian radio and First Nations format.

[14] The region is otherwise served through rebroadcasters of services from larger cities such as Thunder Bay, Toronto and Winnipeg.