Artillery Lake Fishing Guide, South Slave Region, Northwest Territories

• Overview

  Artillery Lake lies within the bounds of South Slave Region, Northwest Territories. It sits in sage and rock. At roughly 516.24 sq km it ranks among the larger waters in the region. The outline is heavily broken, with arms and bays reaching well back from the main body. On our South Slave Region list it sits near the top for size. Nearest town is Yellowknife, 339 km off. Edmonton is the closest city, 1115 km away. No boundary runs near, so the local rules hold throughout.

• Where to Fish on Artillery Lake

  Open data we checked carries no depth for this water. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Survey and observation records for South Slave Region include Arctic grayling, lake trout, Arctic charr and slimy sculpin. County records show the wider picture rather than this one place. Artillery Lake responds to conditions more than to tactics.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Typical July readings run about 11°C; by January the average is down near -29°C. The ice season is long here and the open one short. After early June the shallows warm and the fish move up. Break-up sits around early June on average, with the water closing again about mid October. From the thaw to midsummer the fishing improves week by week. Artillery Lake fishes to that pattern most years.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether you may fish here is not something records settle. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. Mapping records no facilities at all near this water. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Local rules can differ across the county line, so check where you stand. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. Lac la Prise at 45 km is the sensible second choice. Ask locally about Artillery Lake if anything is unclear.