Pontoon Lake Fishing Guide, North Slave Region, Northwest Territories

• Overview

  Northwest Territories holds Pontoon Lake, in North Slave Region. The ground around here is dry rangeland. At 3.26 sq km this is proper open water rather than a pond. You are looking at roughly 14 km of shoreline, with plenty of water between access points. Yellowknife at 21 km is the nearest place to stop. After that come Behchokǫ̀ at 108 km and Hay River at 214 km. No boundary runs near, so the local rules hold throughout.

• Where to Fish on Pontoon Lake

  Depth is unmeasured here, so let the shoreline guide you. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. North Slave Region records list Arctic grayling, lake trout and slimy sculpin among the fish reported. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. Work Pontoon Lake in sections rather than trying to cover it.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Seasonal averages run from -26°C in January up to 16°C in July. The year here is short and sharp: a long lid, then a burst of open water. Hard cover is dependable here; it goes around late May. Climate averages put the opening at about late May and the closing near late October. The shoulder weeks of the open season are the productive ones. Time your trip to Pontoon Lake by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  We hold no note on access for this one. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. There is no recorded infrastructure here; expect to find your own way in. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. Season dates differ by species, so read the table. Close seasons apply to some species and not others. Failing this one, try Madeline Lake, 4 km away. Check the position on Pontoon Lake before loading the car.