Slim's Lake Fishing in Municipal District of Clear Hills No. 21, Alberta

• Overview

  Alberta holds Slim's Lake, in Municipal District of Clear Hills No. 21. Around the bank it is taiga. With some 17 hectares of water, there is room for a boat but no need of one. The full circuit measures close to 2.3 km on foot. The closest town, Fairview, is 78 km away. Spirit River follows at 87 km, then Taylor at 91 km. The nearest boundary is well away, so one set of rules covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Slim's Lake

  No published figure covers depth, so learn it as you fish. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Municipal District of Clear Hills No. 21 records list longnose sucker, white sucker and pearl dace among the fish reported. County records show what lives in the area; the local agency holds the water-by-water list. Anyone new to Slim's Lake should walk it once before setting up.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The range across the year is -16°C to 15°C. Long winters and short summers set the pattern. Hard cover is dependable here; it goes around late April. Climate figures give an open season running late April to early November. From the thaw to midsummer the fishing improves week by week. On Slim's Lake the same rules apply, with local timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing on record says whether the bank is open or closed. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. Records show it does not hold water year-round. Mapping records no facilities at all near this water. One rod, a handful of hooks and floats, and a few small lures are enough for this water. Rules differ from one water to the next round here. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. Ray Lake, 22 km away, makes the obvious fallback. The position on Slim's Lake is worth confirming on the day.