Lake Athabasca Ice Fishing Trip

[hartsky]

If the winter road is open this year I would like to make a few trips up to lake athabasca to target lakers. I’ve been doing a lot of research on it but I wanted to hear about peoples past experiences if possible. I’ve been looking at going over towards egg island and possibly fishing that area. Is it worth the sled ride all the way there or is there just as good fishing closer ? Does anyone know any locals in Fort chip that would possibly guide for a day? How have you found the fishing to be? Slow, steady etc any tips or places to avoid. Anyways hope to hear from you guys.

Thanks,

Hartsky

[JohninAB]

RavYak did that exact trip a few years back and did a good write up on it here. If you search this forum for Lake Athabasca it should pop up. I would post a link to the thread but not entirely sure on how to do it.

[hartsky]

RavYak did that exact trip a few years back and did a good write up on it here. If you search this forum for Lake Athabasca it should pop up. I would post a link to the thread but not entirely sure on how to do it.

I’ve read all his post several times! lol looks like a tough trip but worth it, if your catching lakers over 40inches..

[Positrac]

I drove up there for the Winter Carnival a few years back but never fished. There was a derby on though and locals were fishing not far out. I doubt they would be doing that unless they caught fish there.

It’s a long trip with a few tank traps on the road. You can usually see them a ways off because there will be car parts spread all over the place. My biggest advice would be stay all the way over to the right on steep hills. We were approaching the top of a hill when a couple Braves in a Ford Raptor came over the top going in the opposite direction and they were well past us before all 4 tires hit the road. They were probably doing over 100 on the ice road. An unsuspecting person driving in the middle of the road would have had a real bad day.

[guru fisher]

You wanna go a trip over to Old Fort Bay for monster Jacks !!!! Best bet get a local to take you shes big water. 20 plus pounders all day long !!!!!

[marky_mark]

Don’t expect to be able to drive on to the lake with your truck
Skidoo or atv due to ice heaves and drifts
0 hotels in town
I think 1 bed and breakfast maybe 2
Have to book them in advance
Don’t leave anything valuable in your truck

The ice road is actually not that bad
I had semis passing me doing over 100km/h

Seen a wolverine last time when I was up there

[hartsky]

Thanks for the reply’s guys. I’ve been to Fort chip before for work and driven on the winter road before in summer with the quads and winter with my truck. Also ice fished net lake in the Richardson back country off the winter road. I’ve noticed people are absolutely nuts the way they drive on that road. Planning to camp out on the ice for a few days and taking my sled once i get to Fort chip. I’ve heard old Fort bay is awesome for huge pike but rather target the lakers, personal preference.

[astepanuk]

Group of us are looking to make the exact same trip in early March Lived in McMurray my entire life and never made the Trip to Chip! Really looking forward to this adventure!