The Best Fishing Spots in Northwest Territories
The Northwest Territories offers vast, remote freshwater angling across thousands of lakes and rivers, from roadside access to fly‑in lodges; top waters include the Mackenzie River system, Great Slave Lake, Great Bear Lake, and countless backcountry lakes. Key species are lake trout, northern pike, walleye, arctic grayling, inconnu, whitefish, and various char. Anglers use a range of techniques—fly fishing, spin casting, trolling, and ice fishing—and can expect clear water, long summer daylight, and strong chances for trophy fish in a wild northern setting.
Top Cities For Fishing
Lake Fishing
Great Slave Lake
Great Bear Lake
River Fishing
Mackenzie River
Liard River
Slave River
Sea Fishing
Tuktoyaktuk
(2 km to coast)
Top Saltwater Fishing Spots
Tuktoyaktuk Harbour
On the edge of the Beaufort Sea at Tuktoyaktuk , the harbour and nearby channels yield Arctic char, cod, and whitefish in colder months, with summer opportunities for nearshore species; small boats work tidal channels and points, while sheltered docks and beaches allow shore casting.
Top Freshwater Fishing Spots
Great Bear Lake
A legendary northern fishery near Déline , Great Bear Lake produces astounding lake trout along reefs and shelves, plus bright Arctic grayling in inlets and outflows; long summer days suit deep trolling and jigging, while spring and fall shine for casting spoons and streamers across rocky shoals.
Great Bear River
Connecting Great Bear Lake to the Mackenzie River near Déline , the Great Bear River holds strong Arctic grayling, seasonal lake trout near cooler inflows, and whitefish; swing spinners through runs and fish jigs along deeper current edges.
Great Slave Lake
Vast and deep, Great Slave Lake is famed for trophy lake trout, aggressive northern pike, and spring-fall Arctic grayling, with productive waters accessible from Yellowknife , Hay River , and Fort Resolution ; anglers troll deep breaks in summer, cast along weedy bays during the post-ice-out and late-season periods, and work rocky points for lakers as temperatures cool.
Hay River
Flowing through the town of Hay River into Great Slave Lake, this river is reliable for walleye (pickerel), northern pike, and spring runs of Arctic grayling; shore anglers work eddies near bridges and parks, while boats probe current edges and submerged bars downstream.
Kakisa River
Near Kakisa , the Kakisa River is a favorite for walleye, northern pike, and Arctic grayling, with classic current seams and pools around bends; jig-and-minnow presentations and spinners excel, and the nearby outflow of Kakisa Lake adds consistent action.
Lac La Martre
Near Whatì , Lac La Martre is renowned for fierce northern pike and quality lake trout, with vast shallow flats warming quickly in spring and deep structure producing in midsummer; boats cover water efficiently, hitting points, reefs, and channel mouths throughout the season.
Liard River
Running past Fort Liard and toward Fort Simpson , the Liard River holds Arctic grayling, northern pike, and whitefish; boats drift long gravel bars and side channels, while shore anglers pick apart seams and eddies below bends and tributary mouths.
Mackenzie River
Canada’s longest river offers varied fishing from Fort Simpson to Inuvik , with swift runs holding Arctic grayling, broad eddies sheltering northern pike, and cool channels yielding lake whitefish; drift and cast through seams, or anchor to present spoons and spinners along current breaks.
McLeod Bay
Anchoring the East Arm of Great Slave Lake, McLeod Bay features sheer cliffs, islands, and cold clear water that grow giant lake trout and strong Arctic grayling; anglers target reef tops early, then troll deep contours in summer, with side trips toward Pethei Peninsula rewarding on calm days.
Prelude Lake
Close to Yellowknife , Prelude Lake is a versatile option for northern pike, lake trout, and whitefish; shore anglers work weedlines and points near the park, while small boats and canoes explore coves and saddles for steady action from spring through fall.
Prosperous Lake
Just off the Ingraham Trail , Prosperous Lake offers easy access to lake trout, northern pike, and winter burbot; early season casting along rocky shorelines is productive, while summer trolling along mid-lake contours and island points consistently finds fish.
Reid Lake
A scenic lake along the Ingraham Trail , Reid Lake fishes well for northern pike in its weedy bays and lake trout around deeper structure; shore access in the park is convenient, and small craft can troll drop-offs and island edges for consistent bites.
South Nahanni River
A pristine river through the Mackenzie Mountains near Nahanni Butte , the South Nahanni offers clear-water action for Arctic grayling, lake trout in deep pools, and bull trout in colder tributaries; classic runs, pools, and canyon tailouts invite drifting and precise casting.
Taltson River
A sprawling watershed southeast of Great Slave Lake, the Taltson River features classic northern fishing for walleye, northern pike, and grayling; target current breaks below rapids and inflows, troll deep runs in summer, and probe eddies near the confluence with Rocher River .
Tartan Rapids
A popular spot on the Yellowknife River , Tartan Rapids concentrates Arctic grayling and pike in its aerated runs and downstream pools; anglers cast small spoons, spinners, and dry flies from accessible rock ledges, with peak action in spring and early fall when flows are moderate.
The Ramparts
This dramatic set of rapids on the Mackenzie River near Fort Good Hope concentrates Arctic grayling and whitefish in pockets and slicks; shore anglers pick safe ledges to swing spinners and small spoons into current tongues and tailouts.
Yellowknife Bay
Right off Yellowknife , Yellowknife Bay offers easy access to northern pike, lake trout, and burbot, with spring ice-out and late fall best for shallow casting, and midsummer deep-water trolling productive along drop-offs leading toward the main basin of Great Slave Lake.
Yellowknife River
Flowing into Yellowknife Bay , the Yellowknife River offers fast-action Arctic grayling around riffles and pools, with pike lurking in backwaters; cast small flies and spinners in the current, or work weed edges with spoons and soft plastics from canoe or shore.
Top Saltwater & Freshwater Spots
Husky Lakes
Between Inuvik and Tuktoyaktuk , the brackish Husky Lakes system mixes marine and fresh influences, producing sea-run Arctic char in colder periods, strong lake trout in deeper basins, and aggressive pike in channels; boats reach productive narrows, while sheltered shores offer casting opportunities.