Fishing at Iqalugaqtujuq Lake, Nunavut, Nunavut

• Overview

  Out in Nunavut, sits Iqalugaqtujuq Lake. This is open dry country country. Around 15.80 sq km of open water: conditions change from one end to the other. You have roughly 52 km of edge to choose from, which rewards a scouting trip. The nearest place of any size is Gjoa Haven, 102 km away. Saskatoon is the closest city, 1994 km away. The nearest edge is a long way off, so local rules apply throughout.

• Where to Fish on Iqalugaqtujuq Lake

  Without a survey to go on, judge depth from how the bank falls away. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Take Iqalugaqtujuq Lake a stretch at a time. Take a plummet or a sounder rather than guessing depth.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warm month here averages 8°C; the cold one sits at -35°C. Cold dominates the calendar on water this far north. Hard water holds through the cold months, breaking up near late June. Open water usually runs from late June until about late September. Right after break-up, and again as the nights sharpen, is when to go. Time your trip to Iqalugaqtujuq Lake by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  No access rule appears in what we hold. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. Mapping is blank for access, so scout the approach before committing the car. A phone call first saves an afternoon. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. Qikiqtaqtuuq Lake at 34 km is the sensible second choice. Confirm before you fish Iqalugaqtujuq Lake.