Papanakies Lake, Northwest Territories: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Out in South Slave Region, Northwest Territories, sits Papanakies Lake. The surface lies 450 metres up. At roughly 22.94 sq km it ranks among the larger waters in the region. The outline measures near 75 km, so a boat opens up water the bank never reaches. Head to Yellowknife, 223 km away, for anything you forgot. Behchokǫ̀ lies 293 km off, Fort Smith another 368 km. There is no boundary nearby to worry about.

• Where to Fish on Papanakies Lake

  The records we hold are silent on depth, so plan to find it yourself. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Across South Slave Region, recorded fish include Arctic grayling, lake trout and Arctic charr. County records show what lives in the area; the local agency holds the water-by-water list. Fish Papanakies Lake where the bottom changes rather than where it looks deep.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Seasonal averages run from -28°C in January up to 14°C in July. The fishing year opens late and shuts early. Winter locks it down, and early June brings it back. Ice usually gives way near early June, and forms again about mid October. The strong weeks are the first after break-up and the last before the freeze. On Papanakies Lake the same rules apply, with local timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether you may fish here is not something records settle. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. No made access is recorded, so a short walk in is the likely arrangement. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Gates get locked out of season on water like this. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. For a change of water, Lac Tete d'Ours is 20 km distant. What applies at Papanakies Lake may have changed since it was mapped.