That means they re always within easy reach. Lake Athabasca, though, is the best. Lying just south of the Northwest Territories' border, Athabasca has one foot planted in Saskatchewan and the other in Alberta. Covering almost two million acres, the lake is immense. Athabasca s lake trout are equally huge.
Many anglers believe bigger trout swim here.
For a number of reasons latitude, relatively favourable growing season, productivity and forage Nipigon lakers are among the fastest-growing trout in Canada. According to MNR creel surveys, the lakers here average 34 inches and weigh between 12 and 14 pounds. Smelt were discovered in the lake in 1976, and today, they account for over half the trout food. Herring account for the balance. Because Lake Nipigon is so accessible, there is a thriving winter as well as summer fishery.