Gouard Lake Fishing Guide, North Slave Region, Northwest Territories

• Overview

  Gouard Lake sits in North Slave Region, out in Northwest Territories. Height above sea level is 180 metres. At roughly 169.79 sq km it ranks among the larger waters in the region. Bays run back a long way, and the fish move between them with the season. It is among the larger waters listed here for North Slave Region. Head to Kugluktuk, 292 km away, for anything you forgot. Edmonton sits 1343 km out, and it is the nearest city worth the name. Rules here are straightforward: one set of provincial rules.

• Where to Fish on Gouard Lake

  Nothing we hold settles how deep this runs. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. North Slave Region records list Arctic grayling, lake trout and slimy sculpin among the fish reported. The list covers the county rather than this water alone, so treat it as a guide. The shape of Gouard Lake decides where the fish sit.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Average temperature peaks around 15°C in July and bottoms out near -28°C in January. The freeze holds for the better part of the year. Ice is part of the season here, ending near late May. Ice clears near late May and comes back about mid October in a typical year. Just after the ice goes and just before it returns, the fishing lifts. It holds true on Gouard Lake more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  We have no record of the rules that apply on this bank. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. We find no slipway, car park or made path within a short radius, so treat access as rough. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. Lever Lake sits 26 km off and takes the overflow. Confirm access to Gouard Lake locally before you travel.