Sparrow Lake, Northwest Territories: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  North Slave Region, Northwest Territories, is where Sparrow Lake sits. Height above sea level is 233 metres. At 13.09 sq km you are fishing a fraction of it whatever you do. Some 40 km of shoreline means conditions can differ from one end to the other. Yellowknife sits 42 km from the bank. Behchokǫ̀ lies 125 km off, Hay River another 230 km. This one is safely inside the county line.

• Where to Fish on Sparrow Lake

  No depth figure has reached our records, which makes a plummet useful. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Species logged across North Slave Region include Arctic grayling, lake trout and slimy sculpin. County records show what lives in the area; the local agency holds the water-by-water list. Work Sparrow Lake in sections rather than trying to cover it.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between January at about -27°C and July at about 16°C, the water has a wide range to work through. The year here is short and sharp: a long lid, then a burst of open water. Ice is part of the season here, ending near late May. Break-up near late May, freeze-up near late October: that is the shape of an average year. June through September is the settled part of the year, with the shoulders busier for fish. Sparrow Lake runs to that rhythm year in and year out.

• Tackle & Baits

  Our records carry no access rule either way. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. No car park, ramp or path is recorded within easy reach of the shore. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. A phone call first saves an afternoon. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. If the gate is shut, Thompson Lake at 6.8 km is the nearest alternative. Treat access at Sparrow Lake as something to verify.