Mackintosh Lake Fishing in Carmacks, Yukon

• Overview

  Set in Carmacks, Mackintosh Lake is a Yukon water. Everything around it is sage and rock. Roughly 1.21 sq km of surface: treat each bay as a water in its own right. The shoreline runs about 6.2 km, so it pays to pick a stretch and stay with it. It sits higher than most water we list in Yukon. The closest town, Whitehorse, is 141 km distant. The nearest city of size is Anchorage, 688 km away. It lies deep inside the county rather than near an edge.

• Where to Fish on Mackintosh Lake

  Nothing in our records gives a depth for this one. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. County-wide records name Chinook salmon, Arctic grayling and northern pike. Some of the species recorded here are protected or tightly regulated, so check what may be targeted before you fish. On Mackintosh Lake that means starting tight and working out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  July runs about 11°C on average, January about -20°C. The freeze holds for the better part of the year. Ice is part of the season here, ending near late May. Going by climate averages, expect open water from about late May until roughly mid October. Reckon on open water from spring through to late autumn, with May and June the strongest. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Mackintosh Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  We hold no note on access for this one. Records list it as a natural water body rather than an impoundment. Nothing is mapped in the way of a ramp or car park within a short radius. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Local rules can differ across the county line, so check where you stand. Barbless rules turn up on managed water more often than not. The nearest alternative is Szoosinlin Lake, 7.9 km out. For Mackintosh Lake, the notice at the access point is the final word.