Qarmaqtalik Lake Fishing Guide, Nunavut, Nunavut

• Overview

  Set in Nunavut, this is Qarmaqtalik Lake. It lies 119 metres above sea level. This is big water, about 16.35 sq km, and in a wind it behaves like a small sea. At about 62 km of edge, most people fish a single area and learn it well. The closest town, Naujaat, is 262 km distant. After that come Gjoa Haven at 285 km and Igloolik at 291 km. No county line comes close, which keeps the paperwork simple.

• Where to Fish on Qarmaqtalik Lake

  No depth figure has reached our records, which makes a plummet useful. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. On Qarmaqtalik Lake the quiet end is the one worth the extra effort. Follow the birds if you cannot find the fish.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Typical July readings run about 8°C; by January the average is down near -32°C. The freeze holds for the better part of the year. Firm cover through the cold months, then open water from early July. Average temperatures cross freezing around early July in spring and again near late September in autumn. Fish feed hardest at the start and the close of the open season. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Qarmaqtalik Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether you may fish here is not something records settle. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. Access is unmapped, which usually means a farm track and a walk. Rules for this water may differ from the county norm. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. The nearest alternative is Ballenden Lake, 17 km out. Confirm before you fish Qarmaqtalik Lake.