Carousel Lake in North Slave Region: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  North Slave Region, Northwest Territories, is where Carousel Lake sits. It lies 357 metres above sea level. At some 9.43 sq km it is far too large to cover on foot in a day. The bank runs about 35 km in total, split between open shore and sheltered corners. Kugluktuk lies 232 km from the water. Beyond it, Behchokǫ̀ at 349 km and Yellowknife at 373 km. The nearest boundary is well away, so one set of rules covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Carousel Lake

  Open data we checked carries no depth for this water. 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. Species logged across North Slave Region include Arctic grayling, lake trout and slimy sculpin. Records at county level tell you what is around, not what is stocked here. At Carousel Lake light and wind decide more than tackle does.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between January at about -30°C and July at about 12°C, the water has a wide range to work through. A short, intense season is the rule this far north. The open season starts with the thaw, near enough mid June. Climate averages put the opening at about mid June and the closing near early October. Just after the ice goes and just before it returns, the fishing lifts. That shapes the year on Carousel Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  The paperwork position is blank for this one. Records list it as a natural water body rather than an impoundment. No made access appears within a short radius, so plan to park on a verge and walk. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Rules for this water may differ from the county norm. Some stretches are reserved and marked as such on the ground. If the gate is shut, Ambush Lake at 9.8 km is the nearest alternative. The position on Carousel Lake is worth confirming on the day.