Fishing Self Lake in North Slave Region, Northwest Territories

• Overview

  Self Lake lies in North Slave Region, in Northwest Territories. Dry rangeland runs right down to the water. This is big water, about 21.22 sq km, and in a wind it behaves like a small sea. Some 68 km of shoreline means conditions can differ from one end to the other. Some 284 km away sits Behchokǫ̀, the nearest settlement. Kugluktuk lies 297 km off, Yellowknife another 346 km. One jurisdiction covers this water end to end.

• Where to Fish on Self Lake

  Depth figures are not published for this one. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. North Slave Region records list Arctic grayling, lake trout and slimy sculpin among the fish reported. What holds for the county may not hold for this water. Take Self Lake a stretch at a time.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Temperature averages peak at 14°C in July and bottom out at -28°C in January. Little of the calendar is open water, so timing counts for everything. Firm cover through the cold months, then open water from late May. Ice clears near late May and comes back about mid October in a typical year. Spring is short and heavy here; autumn is longer and steadier. The season on Self Lake follows the weather closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public sources are silent on who controls the bank. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. Mapping records no facilities at all near this water. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Where the road in crosses private land, ask first. Some ground is open by custom rather than by right, so tread carefully. Failing this one, try Lever Lake, 11 km away. Ask locally about Self Lake if anything is unclear.