Arthur Lake in County of Athabasca No. 12: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Arthur Lake stands in County of Athabasca No. 12, Alberta. What surrounds it is northern bush. Around 11 hectares of surface means several distinct areas to work. A shoreline of some 1.2 km keeps the choices simple. For supplies, Athabasca is 22 km out. Westlock follows at 63 km, then Smoky Lake at 64 km. Near neighbours: Mastin Lake at 1.7 km, Frank Lake some 2.3 km off, Gilbert Lake at 2.9 km, Lee Lake some 3.3 km off and Ansell Lake at 4.4 km. There is no boundary nearby to worry about.

• Where to Fish on Arthur Lake

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. Species logged across County of Athabasca No. 12 include yellow perch, white sucker, northern pike, longnose sucker and walleye. The county list is broader than any single water. Read Arthur Lake for ten minutes before the first cast goes out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The range across the year is -17°C to 16°C. Cold dominates the year and the fishing works around it. Break-up comes around late April, and the run that follows is short and strong. The season between ice runs from about late April to mid November. Fishing peaks soon after break-up and again before the cold returns. It sets the rhythm of the year at Arthur Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. No dam controls it, and the level follows the season. Access points are not mapped for this water, which suits people who like quiet. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Parking is often the real limit rather than the bank itself. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. The nearest alternative is Mastin Lake, 1.7 km out. Check the position at Arthur Lake before loading the car.