Fishing Jackfish Lake in Watson Lake, Yukon

• Overview

  Within Watson Lake, Yukon, you have Jackfish Lake. This is spruce and muskeg country. It measures about 49 hectares, which is a comfortable size for bank fishing. A shoreline of some 3.7 km keeps the choices simple. The closest town, Watson Lake, is 19 km distant. Edmonton sits 1167 km out, and it is the nearest city worth the name. There is no boundary nearby to worry about.

• Where to Fish on Jackfish Lake

  We hold no survey for this water; read the slope of the shoreline instead. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Public occurrence data for Watson Lake names lake trout, longnose sucker and mountain whitefish. At least one recorded species is protected in parts of its range; read the local rules before targeting anything. The near bank of Jackfish Lake is often the one people ignore.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages here run 14°C at the top of summer and -24°C at the bottom of winter. Everything is compressed into the middle of the year. The freeze runs deep into the year, with break-up near early May. Break-up near early May, freeze-up near late October: that is the shape of an average year. September and October fish steadily right up to the freeze. On Jackfish Lake that shapes the whole year.

• Tackle & Baits

  The rules here are undocumented as far as public sources go. 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. 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. Where the way in crosses private ground, ask first. Failing this one, try Shrimp Lake, 1.5 km away. For Jackfish Lake, the notice at the access point is the final word.