Mary Lake in South Slave Region: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  The South Slave Region entry here is Mary Lake, in Northwest Territories. Elevation runs to 298 metres. Surface area runs to some 163.64 sq km, so a boat and a plan are both worth having. It is among the larger waters listed here for South Slave Region. Start from Baker Lake, 431 km down the road. Further out sit Arviat (517 km) and Fort Smith (520 km). The nearest boundary is well away, so one set of rules covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Mary Lake

  Depth is not on record here, so the bank has to tell you. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Public occurrence data for South Slave Region names Arctic grayling, lake trout, Arctic charr and slimy sculpin. County records show the wider picture rather than this one place. Work Mary Lake in sections rather than trying to cover it.

• Seasonal Patterns

  On the long-term average, July reads 12°C and January reads -29°C. Open water arrives late and leaves early, which concentrates the fishing. Firm cover through the cold months, then open water from mid June. Expect the water usable from around mid June until roughly mid October. Spring is short and heavy here; autumn is longer and steadier. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Mary Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access status is simply unknown for this water. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. We find no slipway, car park or made path within a short radius, so treat access as rough. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Gates get locked out of season on water like this. Barbless rules turn up on managed water more often than not. If the gate is shut, Ecklund Lake at 22 km is the nearest alternative. Treat access at Mary Lake as something to verify.