Cache Lake Fishing Guide, Sahtu Region, Northwest Territories

• Overview

  Cache Lake lies in Sahtu Region, in Northwest Territories. The setting is boreal forest on every side. About 1.02 sq km, so local knowledge or a boat saves a lot of walking. Bank access stretches around 4.8 km in total. It is one of the smaller waters we list in Sahtu Region. Norman Wells sits 130 km from here and is the nearest stop. Fort Simpson is 467 km and Watson Lake 486 km. Water in the same corner: 21 km out stands McClure Lake. It lies deep inside the county rather than near an edge.

• Where to Fish on Cache Lake

  No depth figure has reached our records, which makes a plummet useful. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. County-wide records name longnose sucker, rainbow smelt and deepwater sculpin. Take it as the county picture rather than a promise for this water. On Cache Lake the quiet end is the one worth the extra effort.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The year swings from about -26°C in January to roughly 11°C in July. The year here is short and sharp: a long lid, then a burst of open water. Winter fishing happens on the ice here, with open water back around late May. Open water usually runs from late May until about early October. Late spring and early autumn carry the year between them. The season on Cache Lake rarely departs from it.

• Tackle & Baits

  No public source sets out the position on this bank. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. Access points are not mapped for this water, which suits people who like quiet. Keep the gear simple: light line, small hooks, split shot and a couple of proven lures. Local rules can differ across the county line, so check where you stand. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. If the gate is shut, McClure Lake at 21 km is the nearest alternative. Where Cache Lake is concerned, a local answer beats a written one.