Fishing at Second Lake, South Slave Region, Northwest Territories

• Overview

  In Northwest Territories, Second Lake belongs to South Slave Region. What surrounds it is sage and rock. Around 18.32 sq km of open water: conditions change from one end to the other. With about 33 km of shoreline, local advice saves a lot of walking. Behchokǫ̀ lies 106 km from the water. Yellowknife follows at 163 km, then Hay River at 167 km. Round about: Fawn Lake after 11 km, Mink Lake about 25 km and Chan Lake after 52 km. Rules here are straightforward: one set of provincial rules.

• Where to Fish on Second Lake

  Nothing we hold settles how deep this runs. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Species logged across South Slave Region include Arctic grayling, lake trout, Arctic charr and slimy sculpin. The county list is broader than any single water. On Second Lake the first feature you find is usually worth a session.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Climate normals give 17°C for July and -24°C for January. This far north the hard season runs and runs. The open season starts with the thaw, near enough mid May. The water is typically free of ice between mid May and late October. Look to early summer and the first cool weeks of autumn. Anyone fishing Second Lake regularly works to that calendar.

• Tackle & Baits

  We hold no note on access for this one. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. Mapping is blank for access, so scout the approach before committing the car. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Where a permit is needed, the nearest town usually sells it. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. Failing this one, try Fawn Lake, 11 km away. Where Second Lake is concerned, a local answer beats a written one.