Fishing at Cadotte Lake, Northern Sunrise County, Alberta

• Overview

  Cadotte Lake belongs to Northern Sunrise County, Alberta. It sits at 565 metres above sea level. Surface area runs to some 14.19 sq km, so a boat and a plan are both worth having. At about 23 km of edge, most people work one arm at a time. For supplies, Peace River is 60 km out. Edmonton is the closest city, 372 km away. It sits well inside its county, with no border complications.

• Where to Fish on Cadotte Lake

  There is no recorded depth, so work from what you can see. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Records held for Northern Sunrise County cover northern pike and spottail shiner. Records at county level tell you what is around, not what is stocked here. Cadotte Lake responds to conditions more than to tactics.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Climate normals give 16°C for July and -17°C for January. This is a two-season water: locked, then wide open. The lid usually sets by midwinter and gives way around late April. The lid tends to go about late April and return around early November. The open run goes from the thaw to the freeze, and April through October covers most of it. The season on Cadotte Lake follows the weather closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access status is simply unknown for this water. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. No car park, ramp or path is recorded within easy reach of the shore. A wire trace and a big bright lure handle the pike; deep water asks for a heavier spoon. Provincial rules still apply whatever the bank status. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. If the gate is shut, Golden Lake at 12 km is the nearest alternative. Confirm before you fish Cadotte Lake.