Louise Lake, Yukon: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Louise Lake falls in Haines Junction, part of Yukon. It sits at 849 metres above sea level. About 4.82 sq km, so local knowledge or a boat saves a lot of walking. Around 13 km of bank, which is a long day on foot. Whitehorse lies 134 km from the water. Skagway lies 170 km off, Haines another 184 km. One jurisdiction covers this water end to end.

• Where to Fish on Louise Lake

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. County-wide records name Arctic grayling, northern pike, lake trout, Dolly Varden and round whitefish. Several of these carry legal protection or closed seasons; the rulebook comes before the rod. Take Louise Lake a stretch at a time.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warm month here averages 10°C; the cold one sits at -17°C. This far north the hard season runs and runs. Winter fishing happens on the ice here, with open water back around late May. Break-up near late May, freeze-up near mid October: that is the shape of an average year. The first weeks of open water and the last are the ones to plan for. That shapes the year on Louise Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing we hold confirms whether access is permitted. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. Nothing built is recorded close to the bank here. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. Read any posted signs at the access point rather than assuming. Where tickets apply, they are sold in the nearest town rather than on the bank. For a change of water, Johobo Lake is 8 km distant. Nothing here settles the position at Louise Lake for certain.