Nicol Lake Fishing in Northwest Territories, Northwest Territories

• Overview

  Nicol Lake belongs to Northwest Territories. The bank is 320 metres above sea level. At roughly 28.79 sq km it ranks among the larger waters in the region. The bank runs about 125 km in total, split between open shore and sheltered corners. The closest town, Baker Lake, is 481 km away. The nearest city of size is Saskatoon, 1072 km away. The nearest boundary is well away, so one set of rules covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Nicol Lake

  No published figure covers depth, so learn it as you fish. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Nicol Lake gives up more to patience than to distance. Work the margins before you start casting for distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  On the long-term average, July reads 14°C and January reads -29°C. Open water arrives late and leaves early, which concentrates the fishing. Count on hard cover from midwinter, and open water from early June. On the long-run averages the water opens up around early June and starts locking again about mid October. The first weeks of open water and the last are the ones to plan for. Nicol Lake runs to its own calendar within the local pattern.

• Tackle & Baits

  The rules here are undocumented as far as public sources go. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. No built facilities appear in mapping around this water. Sort the permit out before you load the car. Night access is frequently treated as a separate matter. If the gate is shut, Crawford Lake at 40 km is the nearest alternative. Treat access at Nicol Lake as something to verify.