North Shore / Little Mackenzie Bayon Big Lake
Conditions right now
No USGS gauge is linked to this water yet, so we can't chart flows.
What's working on Big Lake
- 01Trout are actively feeding subsurface on nymphs and leeches.
- 02Look for intermittent hatches of small mayflies on calmer, overcast days.
- 03Streamer patterns, especially in darker colors, can entice aggressive strikes from larger trout.
- 04Midge activity remains a consistent food source year-round.
What to tie on at North Shore / Little Mackenzie Bay
Picked from recent reports for this stretch.
Blue-Winged Olive Comparadun
Blue-Winged Olives are actively hatching in fall, especially on overcast days, and this low-profile dry fly is excellent for selective trout feeding on emergers and adults.
Dragonfly Nymph (Olive)
Dragonfly nymphs are a substantial and protein-rich food source for cruising trout in Big Lake throughout the summer, especially when stripped slowly near weed edges.
PMDs (Pale Morning Duns)
Pale Morning Duns are actively hatching in fall, providing a key food source for opportunistic feeders.
Woolly Bugger (Olive)
A reliable year-round streamer, effective for imitating leeches and baitfish, especially in the colder fall waters of Big Lake.
Blood Dot Egg
Fall egg season for trout below spawning salmon.
Buy at AmazonBalanced Leech (Black)
Leeches are a staple forage for predatory fish in lakes year-round. This pattern is highly effective in stillwaters, mimicking sluggish leeches.
Mysis Shrimp (Nymph)
Mysis shrimp are a consistent food source in large coldwater lakes like Big Lake, making this pattern highly effective for subsurface feeders.
Zebra Midge
Midges are the most active insect throughout the winter in high-altitude lakes; black and red are the most reliable colors for deep-dwelling trout.
Buy at AmazonBalanced Leech
The balanced design allows the fly to hang horizontally under an indicator, mimicking a slow-moving leech in the cold water column without requiring a fast retrieve.
Buy at AmazonArizona season by season
What changes on the water through the year, with the flies for each season.