Thompson Lake Fishing in North Slave Region, Northwest Territories

• Overview

  Look for Thompson Lake in North Slave Region, Northwest Territories. This is dry rangeland country. Surface area runs to roughly 2.76 sq km, so plan for one area rather than the whole. The edge covers about 18 km, enough to hold several distinct areas. Most waters listed here for North Slave Region are larger. Yellowknife sits 48 km from here and is the nearest stop. The big place round here is Edmonton, 1008 km distant. It lies deep inside the county rather than near an edge.

• Where to Fish on Thompson Lake

  No depth figure has reached our records, which makes a plummet useful. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Species logged across North Slave Region include Arctic grayling, lake trout and slimy sculpin. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. Take Thompson Lake a stretch at a time.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July to average close to 16°C, with January the cold end at about -27°C. Little of the calendar is open water, so timing counts for everything. Look for the thaw near late May; the fishing lifts straight after. Ice usually gives way near late May, and forms again about late October. September and October fish steadily right up to the freeze. Plan around that when you fish Thompson Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Our records carry no access rule either way. Records list it as a natural water body rather than an impoundment. No car park, ramp or path is recorded within easy reach of the shore. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Sort the permit out before you load the car. Some stretches are reserved and marked as such on the ground. For a change of water, Sparrow Lake is 6.8 km distant. For Thompson Lake in particular, ask before you travel.