Breadner Lake, Northwest Territories: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  You will find Breadner Lake in North Slave Region, Northwest Territories. Country round the bank runs to dry rangeland. At roughly 25.30 sq km it ranks among the larger waters in the region. The shoreline runs to about 58 km, far more than one trip can cover. For supplies, Kugluktuk is 230 km out. Behchokǫ̀ is 342 km away, with Yellowknife at 396 km. It sits well inside the county, so one set of rules covers it.

• Where to Fish on Breadner Lake

  Without a survey to go on, judge depth from how the bank falls away. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Reported across North Slave Region: Arctic grayling, lake trout and slimy sculpin. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. At Breadner Lake light and wind decide more than tackle does.

• Seasonal Patterns

  In an average year July sits at 13°C and January at -29°C. Open water is the exception rather than the rule here. The lid usually sets by midwinter and gives way around early June. In an average year the thaw lands around early June and the freeze near mid October. June through September is the settled part of the year, with the shoulders busier for fish. Time your trip to Breadner Lake by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  The paperwork position is blank for this one. Records list it as a natural water body rather than an impoundment. No launch point is recorded nearby, so this is a bank water unless you carry a boat in. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Read any posted signs at the access point rather than assuming. Close seasons apply to some species and not others. Failing this one, try Smoky Lake, 12 km away. Where Breadner Lake is concerned, a local answer beats a written one.