Fishing at Ballenden Lake, Nunavut, Nunavut

• Overview

  Ballenden Lake sits in in Nunavut. The sea is 24 km distant. At 18.93 sq km you are fishing a fraction of it whatever you do. The shoreline runs to about 29 km, far more than one trip can cover. Nearest town is Naujaat, 245 km off. Then Igloolik, 288 km, and Gjoa Haven, 295 km. Nearest other option: Qarmaqtalik Lake at about 17 km, Barrow Lake 39 km away, Atanirsliq Lake at about 50 km and Isuqtunajuk Lake 55 km away. The nearest boundary is well away, so one set of rules covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Ballenden Lake

  No depth figure appears in our records, so the bank has to tell you. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Treat Ballenden Lake as a water to read rather than to cover. The road to Naujaat runs northwest.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between January at about -32°C and July at about 7°C, the water has a wide range to work through. Cold dominates the calendar on water this far north. Count the season from break-up, usually early July. Climate averages put the opening at about early July and the closing near late September. Early summer and early autumn carry the open-water season. It holds true on Ballenden Lake more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether you may fish here is not something records settle. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. Mapping shows no built access close by; expect to walk in from wherever you can leave the car. Rules differ from one water to the next round here. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. Qarmaqtalik Lake sits 17 km off and takes the overflow. Rules at Ballenden Lake are worth checking on the day.