Fishing in the Northwest Territories is an unparalleled experience. You’ll be surrounded by untamed wilderness and hundreds of icy-clean lakes and rivers as you target some of the biggest fish in North America. As the region is almost uninhabited, you can forget about crowded fishing spots. Here you have miles and miles of fishing grounds just for yourself.
What to Catch
If you’re looking for a huge Lake Trout, you’re in the right place! You can find them in Great Bear Lake and Great Slave Lake and the best time to come is either early spring or late fall. You’ll mostly troll for them but if you want to make things more interesting, try fly fishing.
You can also catch Walleye, Arctic Grayling, Inconnu, Northern Perch, Arctic Char, and Pike. Some pursuits will take you away from the lakes and you’ll visit the Taltson River, the Tree River, and their tributary streams.
Most fishing charters are available from June until late October, but you can also visit during winter.
How To Get Here
Yellowknife Airport is the best gateway to other destinations in the Northwest Territories. From there, you’ll head to your fishing lodge, which is usually organized by your guiding crew. Depending on the location of your fishing lodge, they’ll take you by car or by plane. Either way, the transport price is in most cases included in the price. We advise you to always check the transportation policy with your guide before your trip.
What to Expect
Fishing in the Northwest Territories demands commitment, to say the least. Most people that come to fish here are not local and fishing guides have adjusted their service to that. Unlike most other places, it’s not about choosing between the number of hours – but days! Chances are, you probably won’t come here for a half day trip (even though they are available), so the offer consists of multi day packages. This also means that fishing guides won’t organize only a fishing trip – they’ll also cover your accommodation.
You’ll find a range of 3–8 day packages, with lodging included in the price. Note that service differs from one guide to another, so always check if there are any extra expenses (e.g. meals, transport, daily excursions).
In the Northwest Territories, fishing is not the only thing you can do. Take a day for other outdoor activities like kayaking, hiking, snowmobiling, or wildlife watching. Check with your guide to see how you can spend your day when you don’t feel like fishing. One thing you shouldn’t miss is seeing the northern lights – it’s one of those moments that will make you believe magic exists!