Stark Lake in North Slave Region: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  You will find Stark Lake in North Slave Region, Northwest Territories. Beyond the shoreline you have dry rangeland. The closest town, Yellowknife, is 208 km away. Fort Smith is 286 km and Behchokǫ̀ 294 km. More in the same country: Spruce Island Lake within 8.6 km, Compton Lake at about 29 km, Fairbairn Lake within 42 km, Meridian Lake at about 49 km and Robert Lake within 51 km. There is no boundary nearby to worry about.

• Where to Fish on Stark Lake

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. 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. Records held for North Slave Region cover Arctic grayling, lake trout and slimy sculpin. Records at county level tell you what is around, not what is stocked here. On Stark Lake a short move beats a long cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages here run 15°C at the top of summer and -27°C at the bottom of winter. The season is measured in weeks rather than months. Count on hard cover from midwinter, and open water from late May. On average, late May opens the water and late October closes it again. The weeks after the thaw and the ones before the freeze are the strongest. Stark Lake runs to that rhythm year in and year out.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether you may fish here is not something records settle. No made access appears within a short radius, so plan to park on a verge and walk. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. Check whether a boat is allowed before you tow one. Close seasons apply to some species and not others. If the gate is shut, Spruce Island Lake at 8.6 km is the nearest alternative. Check the position at Stark Lake before loading the car.