Emslie Lake, Alberta: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Emslie Lake stands in Municipal District of Lesser Slave River No. 124, Alberta. Elevation runs to 615 metres. The water covers some 30 hectares, so pick a bank rather than trying to cover it all. The edge runs 2.4 km or so, easy to work in an afternoon. Head to Barrhead, 49 km away, for anything you forgot. Further out sit Westlock (50 km) and Athabasca (61 km). The county edge is within a short distance of the bank.

• Where to Fish on Emslie Lake

  Our records hold no depth for this water. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Records held for Municipal District of Lesser Slave River No. 124 cover northern pike, cisco and Arctic grayling. These are county-wide records, so not all of them will be in this water. Read Emslie Lake for ten minutes before the first cast goes out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Average temperature peaks around 16°C in July and bottoms out near -17°C in January. The season is measured in weeks rather than months. The freeze runs deep into the year, with break-up near late April. Expect the water usable from around late April until roughly mid November. Right after break-up, and again as the nights sharpen, is when to go. The season on Emslie Lake rarely departs from it.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access status is simply unknown for this water. Records list it as a natural water body rather than an impoundment. Mapping is blank for access, so scout the approach before committing the car. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Ask in the nearest town if you are unsure. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. For a change of water, Norman Lake is 0.6 km distant. Signs at Emslie Lake carry more weight than any list.