Lac la Prise, Northwest Territories: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  In Northwest Territories, Lac la Prise falls inside South Slave Region. Height above sea level is 329 metres. At roughly 30.38 sq km it ranks among the larger waters in the region. The bank runs about 89 km in total, split between open shore and sheltered corners. The closest town, Yellowknife, is 295 km distant. The nearest city of size is Edmonton, 1093 km away. The nearest edge is a long way off, so local rules apply throughout.

• Where to Fish on Lac la Prise

  Our records carry no depth, so judge it from the bank. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Records held for South Slave Region cover Arctic grayling, lake trout, Arctic charr and slimy sculpin. The list covers the county rather than this water alone, so treat it as a guide. Treat Lac la Prise as a water to read rather than to cover.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Average temperature peaks around 14°C in July and bottoms out near -30°C in January. Long winters and short summers set the pattern. The lid arrives early and lasts until roughly early June. Averages suggest open water from about early June through to roughly mid October. The middle of summer slows a little, with dawn and dusk carrying it. On Lac la Prise that shapes the whole year.

• Tackle & Baits

  The rules here are undocumented as far as public sources go. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. Access is unmapped, which usually means a farm track and a walk. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Where access is informal, keep it that way by behaving. Some ground is open by custom rather than by right, so tread carefully. If the gate is shut, Cook Lake at 17 km is the nearest alternative. Treat Lac la Prise as unsettled until someone local tells you otherwise.