Fishing at Serpenthead Lake, Haines Junction, Yukon

• Overview

  Serpenthead Lake stands in Haines Junction, Yukon. Height above sea level is 1,058 metres. Roughly 1.82 sq km of surface: treat each bay as a water in its own right. There is roughly 9.5 km of bank, more than one visit can cover properly. The nearest town is Whitehorse, 225 km away. Dawson City follows at 268 km, then Tok at 285 km. The county line is nowhere near, so one local authority covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Serpenthead Lake

  We hold no survey for this water; read the slope of the shoreline instead. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. Haines Junction records list Arctic grayling, northern pike, lake trout, Dolly Varden and round whitefish among the fish reported. Several of these carry legal protection or closed seasons; the rulebook comes before the rod. The shape of Serpenthead Lake decides where the fish sit.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-run averages give July about 12°C and January about -23°C. The freeze holds for the better part of the year. Look for the thaw near mid May; the fishing lifts straight after. Expect the water usable from around mid May until roughly mid October. The strong weeks are the first after break-up and the last before the freeze. Plan any trip to Serpenthead Lake around it.

• Tackle & Baits

  We have no record of the rules that apply on this bank. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. Nothing is listed nearby for parking or launching a boat. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Check whether a boat is allowed before you tow one. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. Kiyera Lake at 17 km is the sensible second choice. Signs at Serpenthead Lake carry more weight than any list.