Barkenhouse Lake Fishing near Bassano, Alberta

• Overview

  In Alberta, Barkenhouse Lake belongs to County of Newell No. 4. Lake country bush runs right down to the water. At 26.21 sq km you are fishing a fraction of it whatever you do. At about 80 km of edge, most people fish a single area and learn it well. The nearest place of any size is Bassano, 15 km away. Beyond it, Brooks at 48 km and Drumheller at 67 km. There is no boundary nearby to worry about.

• Where to Fish on Barkenhouse Lake

  We hold no depth figure for this one. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. Survey and observation records for County of Newell No. 4 include lake whitefish, northern pike, Prussian carp and white sucker. County data is a starting point rather than a guarantee. Read Barkenhouse Lake before you fish it and the day goes better.

• Seasonal Patterns

  On the long-term average, July reads 18°C and January reads -12°C. The year splits cleanly: hard water, then open water. Expect a solid lid for months and a thaw around mid April. From about mid April to around mid November, expect open water on the long-run figures. The open run goes from the thaw to the freeze, and April through October covers most of it. Time your trip to Barkenhouse Lake by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  Who may fish here is not settled in anything we hold. Being dammed, it draws down in some seasons and fills in others. Access is unmapped, which usually means a farm track and a walk. A wire trace and a big bright lure handle the pike; deep water asks for a heavier spoon. Bank access can be seasonal on ground like this. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. Should this one be busy, Deadhorse Lake is 28 km off. What applies at Barkenhouse Lake may have changed since it was mapped.