Germain Bay Fishing in South Slave Region, Northwest Territories

• Overview

  Germain Bay is one of the South Slave Region waters in Northwest Territories. Spruce and muskeg runs right down to the water. Around 81.67 sq km of open water: conditions change from one end to the other. The bank is deeply indented, so shelter is easy to find in any wind. The closest town, Fort Smith, is 76 km away. After that come Hay River at 216 km and Yellowknife at 238 km. Other water nearby: Deskenatlata Lake lies 28 km on and Kozo Lake a touch under 52 km. The nearest boundary is a fair way off.

• Where to Fish on Germain Bay

  We hold no survey for this water; read the slope of the shoreline instead. Slack water is dead water on a place like this. Reed and marsh margins hold fish through the moving hours. Fish documented in South Slave Region include Arctic grayling, lake trout, Arctic charr and slimy sculpin. Take it as the county picture rather than a promise for this water. The shape of Germain Bay decides where the fish sit.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July to average close to 16°C, with January the cold end at about -25°C. The window is narrow, and fish feed hard while it lasts. The lid usually sets by midwinter and gives way around mid May. Ice clears near mid May and comes back about early November in a typical year. The shoulder weeks of the open season are the productive ones. Plan around that when you fish Germain Bay.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. No slipway, car park or made path shows up nearby in mapping, so treat access as rough. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. Check locally before you travel, because a wasted drive is a long one. Where the way in crosses private ground, ask first. Should this one be busy, Deskenatlata Lake is 28 km off. Rules at Germain Bay are worth checking on the day.