Cli Lake Fishing in Dehcho Region, Northwest Territories

• Overview

  You will find Cli Lake in Dehcho Region, Northwest Territories. Height above sea level is 184 metres. Around 42.86 sq km of open water: conditions change from one end to the other. At about 34 km of edge, most people fish a single area and learn it well. Nearest place of any size is Fort Simpson, 103 km away. Then Fort Nelson, 355 km, and Watson Lake, 361 km. No county line comes close, which keeps the paperwork simple.

• Where to Fish on Cli Lake

  We hold no depth figure for this one. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Reported across Dehcho Region: longnose sucker, Arctic grayling, bull trout and cisco. At least one recorded species is protected in parts of its range; read the local rules before targeting anything. Fish Cli Lake to its features, not to its size.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between January at about -26°C and July at about 16°C, the water has a wide range to work through. The freeze holds for the better part of the year. The lid arrives early and lasts until roughly mid May. Going by climate averages, expect open water from about mid May until roughly late October. Just after the ice goes and just before it returns, the fishing lifts. Expect Cli Lake to follow that timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  We hold no note on access for this one. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. Nothing built is recorded close to the bank here. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Look for a notice board at the entrance. Where parking is tight, arriving early solves most problems. Little Doctor Lake at 11 km is the sensible second choice. Check the position at Cli Lake before loading the car.