Artillery Lake Lake

Remote Northwest Territories lake known for fishing

Artillery Lake in Canada's Northwest Territories sits in remote boreal wilderness; anglers and canoeists access it by floatplane for fishing, paddling and northern landscapes.

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Artillery Lake at a Glance#

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How to Get to Artillery Lake#

There is no municipal road into Artillery Lake - access is generally by charter floatplane from Yellowknife or other regional hubs in summer. In late fall and winter skilled parties may reach the region by long snowmobile or overland expeditions; always arrange logistics with an experienced northern outfitter and notify local authorities before travel.

Tips for Visiting Artillery Lake#

  • Book a floatplane charter well in advance - most outfitters in Yellowknife and Rankin Inlet run summer trips into remote NWT lakes.
  • Bring high-quality insect repellent and a headnet in June-August; the mosquitoes do not respect schedules.
  • If paddling or fishing, file a trip plan and check with local Indigenous authorities about fishing permits and sensitive sites.

Best Time to Visit Artillery Lake#

Best visited in summer when floatplanes and canoe routes are viable; winter is extreme and logistically demanding.

High summer
June-August · 5-15°C (41-59°F)
Long daylight, open water and the only reliable season for floatplanes and canoes; insects are at their worst but the light is phenomenal.
Shoulder season
May, September · -2-8°C (28-46°F)
Shorter days and chilly nights; good for solitude and late-season fishing, but some services shut down.
Deep winter
October-April · -30--10°C (-22-14°F)
Frozen solid, travel is technical (snowmobiles, ice roads) and best avoided unless with an experienced outfitter.

Weather & Climate near Artillery Lake#

Climate

Artillery Lake's climate is classified as Subarctic - Subarctic climate with cool summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -33°C to 16°C. Semi-arid with limited rainfall.

Air Quality: AQI 16 Good
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
17°
Warmest Month
-33°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January - -33° - -24° -39° 11 mm - - 3.8 m/s - -
February - -32° - -22° -37° 10 mm - - 3.8 m/s - -
March - -28° - -17° -32° 14 mm - - 4.2 m/s - -
April - -17° - -6° -19° 17 mm - - 4.5 m/s - -
May - -6° - 4° -6° 20 mm - - 4.5 m/s - -
June - 2° - 12° 4° 31 mm - - 4.2 m/s - -
July - 7° - 17° 12° 41 mm - - 4.0 m/s - -
August - 7° - 15° 11° 48 mm - - 4.1 m/s - -
September - 2° - 8° 2° 34 mm - - 4.4 m/s - -
October - -6° - -1° -9° 32 mm - - 4.4 m/s - -
November - -20° - -14° -25° 18 mm - - 4.2 m/s - -
December - -29° - -21° -35° 12 mm - - 3.7 m/s - -