Fishing in Great Slave Lake & Southern NWT
Explore fishing in the Great Slave Lake & Southern NWT of Northwest Territories. Great Slave Lake, Slave River, Hay Rive
Great Slave Lake is the deepest lake in North America. The west basin near Hay River offers excellent lake trout, northern pike, and Arctic grayling fishing. Lake trout in the 10-20 pound range are common. Shallow bays hold good pike populations.
1. Great Slave Lake (Arctic Grayling, Lake Trout, Northern Pike)
Hay River / Fort Providence areaThe North Arm of Great Slave Lake offers lake trout, northern pike, and Arctic grayling fishing delta.
- Arctic Grayling · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Lake Trout · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Northern Pike · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
Boat Launch: Great Slave Lake →
2. Slave River (Northern Pike, Walleye)
Fort Smith areaThe Slave River offers excellent walleye and northern pike fishing flowing from Lake Athabasca into Great Slave Lake. Walleye in the 2-5 pound range are common, with larger fish possible. The river is also famous for world-class whitewater kayaking.
- Northern Pike · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Walleye · Limit: DCL 5 / possession 10
3. Hay River (Arctic Grayling, Northern Pike, Walleye)
Hay River areaThe Hay River offers walleye, northern pike, and Arctic grayling fishing flowing into Great Slave Lake. The river is accessible from the town of Hay River and provides good shore and boat fishing.
- Arctic Grayling · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Northern Pike · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Walleye · Limit: DCL 5 / possession 10
Boat Launch: Porritt Landing →
4. Taltson River (Northern Pike, Walleye)
Taltson River area, Northwest TerritoriesThe Taltson River offers excellent northern pike and walleye fishing in a remote wilderness setting. Pike in the 5-15 pound range are common. Accessible by boat from Great Slave Lake or float plane.
- Northern Pike · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Walleye · Limit: DCL 5 / possession 10
5. Little Buffalo River (Northern Pike, Walleye)
Little Buffalo River area, Northwest TerritoriesThe Little Buffalo River offers northern pike and walleye fishing flowing into Great Slave Lake. A productive river in a scenic setting.
- Northern Pike · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Walleye · Limit: DCL 5 / possession 10
6. Buffalo Lake (Northern Pike, Walleye)
Buffalo Lake area, Northwest TerritoriesBuffalo Lake offers northern pike and walleye fishing in southern NWT. A productive lake with good fish populations in the Slave River watershed.
- Northern Pike · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Walleye · Limit: DCL 5 / possession 10
7. Caribou River (NWT)
Caribou River area, Northwest TerritoriesThe Caribou River offers Arctic grayling and northern pike fishing flowing into Great Slave Lake. A productive river with good fish populations.
8. Jean Marie River (Arctic Grayling, Northern Pike)
Jean Marie River area, Mackenzie ValleyThe Jean Marie River offers Arctic grayling and northern pike fishing in southern NWT.
- Arctic Grayling · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Northern Pike · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
Boat Launch: Jean Marie River →
9. Trout River (NWT)
Trout River area, Northwest TerritoriesThe Trout River offers Arctic grayling and walleye fishing in southern NWT. A productive river with good fish populations.
10. Kakisa River (Northern Pike, Walleye)
Kakisa River area, Northwest TerritoriesThe Kakisa River offers walleye and northern pike fishing flowing into the Mackenzie River. The river features the spectacular Lady Evelyn Falls.
- Northern Pike · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Walleye · Limit: DCL 5 / possession 10
11. Fort Resolution Area (Arctic Grayling, Lake Trout, Northern Pike)
Fort Resolution area, Great Slave LakeThe Fort Resolution area on Great Slave Lake offers lake trout, northern pike, and Arctic grayling fishing from this historic community on the lake's south shore.
- Arctic Grayling · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Lake Trout · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Northern Pike · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
Boat Launch: Fort Resolution Area →
12. Pine Point Area (Lake Trout, Northern Pike)
Pine Point area, Great Slave Lake south shoreThe Pine Point area on Great Slave Lake's south shore offers excellent lake trout and northern pike fishing former mining community.
- Lake Trout · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Northern Pike · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
Boat Launch: Pine Point Area →
13. West Channel (Great Slave Lake)
West Channel area, Northwest TerritoriesThe West Channel of the Mackenzie River outflow from Great Slave Lake offers northern pike, walleye, and Arctic grayling fishing.
14. Salt River (Northern Pike, Walleye)
Salt River area, Northwest TerritoriesThe Salt River offers northern pike and walleye fishing in southern NWT. The river is known for its unique salt plains along its banks.
- Northern Pike · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Walleye · Limit: DCL 5 / possession 10
15. Wood Buffalo National Park (Northern Pike, Walleye)
Wood Buffalo National Park, southern NWTThe NWT portion of Wood Buffalo National Park offers remote northern pike and walleye fishing in pristine wilderness. The park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Northern Pike · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Walleye · Limit: DCL 5 / possession 10
16. Peace River (NWT reach)
Peace River area, Northwest TerritoriesThe Peace River forms part of the southern NWT border and offers northern pike and walleye fishing its confluence with the Slave River.
17. Tsu Lake (Lake Trout, Northern Pike)
Tsu Lake area, Northwest TerritoriesTsu Lake offers lake trout and northern pike fishing in the Taltson River watershed.
- Lake Trout · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Northern Pike · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
18. Deskenatlata Lake (Lake Trout, Northern Pike)
Deskenatlata Lake area, Northwest TerritoriesDeskenatlata Lake offers lake trout and northern pike fishing in the Taltson River system.
- Lake Trout · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Northern Pike · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
Boat Launch: Deskenatlata Lake →
19. Tathlina Lake (Northern Pike, Walleye)
Tathlina Lake area, Northwest TerritoriesTathlina Lake offers northern pike and walleye fishing in the Hay River watershed.
- Northern Pike · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Walleye · Limit: DCL 5 / possession 10
20. Alexandra Falls (Hay River)
Hay River area, Northwest TerritoriesThe Hay River offers walleye and northern pike fishing in a scenic river setting spectacular 33-metre waterfall.
Boat Launch: Alexandra Falls →
21. Athenia Lake (Northern Pike, Lake Trout, Walleye, Arctic Grayling)
Athenia Lake, Northwest TerritoriesNamed lake in the Great Slave Lake & Southern NWT region of Northwest Territories.
- Northern Pike · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Lake Trout · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Walleye · Limit: DCL 5 / possession 10
- Arctic Grayling · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
22. Atkinson Lake (Northern Pike, Lake Trout, Walleye, Arctic Grayling)
Atkinson Lake, Northwest TerritoriesNamed lake in the Great Slave Lake & Southern NWT region of Northwest Territories.
- Northern Pike · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Lake Trout · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Walleye · Limit: DCL 5 / possession 10
- Arctic Grayling · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
23. Atzinging Lake (Northern Pike, Lake Trout, Walleye, Arctic Grayling)
Atzinging Lake, Northwest TerritoriesNamed lake in the Great Slave Lake & Southern NWT region of Northwest Territories.
- Northern Pike · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Lake Trout · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Walleye · Limit: DCL 5 / possession 10
- Arctic Grayling · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
24. Augustine Lake (Northern Pike, Lake Trout, Walleye, Arctic Grayling)
Augustine Lake, Northwest TerritoriesNamed lake in the Great Slave Lake & Southern NWT region of Northwest Territories.
- Northern Pike · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Lake Trout · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Walleye · Limit: DCL 5 / possession 10
- Arctic Grayling · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
25. Austin Lake (Northern Pike, Lake Trout, Walleye, Arctic Grayling)
Austin Lake, Northwest TerritoriesNamed lake in the Great Slave Lake & Southern NWT region of Northwest Territories.
- Northern Pike · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Lake Trout · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Walleye · Limit: DCL 5 / possession 10
- Arctic Grayling · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
26. Axecut Lake (Northern Pike, Lake Trout, Walleye, Arctic Grayling)
Axecut Lake, Northwest TerritoriesNamed lake in the Great Slave Lake & Southern NWT region of Northwest Territories.
- Northern Pike · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Lake Trout · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Walleye · Limit: DCL 5 / possession 10
- Arctic Grayling · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
27. Aylmer Lake (Northern Pike, Lake Trout, Walleye, Arctic Grayling)
Aylmer Lake, Northwest TerritoriesNamed lake in the Great Slave Lake & Southern NWT region of Northwest Territories.
- Northern Pike · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Lake Trout · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Walleye · Limit: DCL 5 / possession 10
- Arctic Grayling · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
28. Back Lake (Northern Pike, Lake Trout, Walleye, Arctic Grayling)
Back Lake, Northwest TerritoriesNamed lake in the Great Slave Lake & Southern NWT region of Northwest Territories.
- Northern Pike · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Lake Trout · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Walleye · Limit: DCL 5 / possession 10
- Arctic Grayling · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
29. Bambi Lake (Northern Pike, Lake Trout, Walleye, Arctic Grayling)
Bambi Lake, Northwest TerritoriesNamed lake in the Great Slave Lake & Southern NWT region of Northwest Territories.
- Northern Pike · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Lake Trout · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Walleye · Limit: DCL 5 / possession 10
- Arctic Grayling · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
30. Banting Lake (Northern Pike, Lake Trout, Walleye, Arctic Grayling)
Banting Lake, Northwest TerritoriesNamed lake in the Great Slave Lake & Southern NWT region of Northwest Territories.
- Northern Pike · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Lake Trout · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Walleye · Limit: DCL 5 / possession 10
- Arctic Grayling · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
Boat Launch: Prosperous Lake Boat Launch →
31. Baptiste Lake (Northern Pike, Lake Trout, Walleye, Arctic Grayling)
Baptiste Lake, Northwest TerritoriesNamed lake in the Great Slave Lake & Southern NWT region of Northwest Territories.
- Northern Pike · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Lake Trout · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Walleye · Limit: DCL 5 / possession 10
- Arctic Grayling · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
Boat Launch: Prosperous Lake Boat Launch →
32. Barker Lake (Northern Pike, Lake Trout, Walleye, Arctic Grayling)
Barker Lake, Northwest TerritoriesNamed lake in the Great Slave Lake & Southern NWT region of Northwest Territories.
- Northern Pike · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Lake Trout · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Walleye · Limit: DCL 5 / possession 10
- Arctic Grayling · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
33. Barlow Lake (Northern Pike, Lake Trout, Walleye, Arctic Grayling)
Barlow Lake, Northwest TerritoriesNamed lake in the Great Slave Lake & Southern NWT region of Northwest Territories.
- Northern Pike · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Lake Trout · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Walleye · Limit: DCL 5 / possession 10
- Arctic Grayling · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
34. Barnston Lake (Northern Pike, Lake Trout, Walleye, Arctic Grayling)
Barnston Lake, Northwest TerritoriesNamed lake in the Great Slave Lake & Southern NWT region of Northwest Territories.
- Northern Pike · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Lake Trout · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Walleye · Limit: DCL 5 / possession 10
- Arctic Grayling · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
35. Barr Lake (Northern Pike, Lake Trout, Walleye, Arctic Grayling)
Barr Lake, Northwest TerritoriesNamed lake in the Great Slave Lake & Southern NWT region of Northwest Territories.
- Northern Pike · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Lake Trout · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Walleye · Limit: DCL 5 / possession 10
- Arctic Grayling · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
36. Bars Lake (Northern Pike, Lake Trout, Walleye, Arctic Grayling)
Bars Lake, Northwest TerritoriesNamed lake in the Great Slave Lake & Southern NWT region of Northwest Territories.
- Northern Pike · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Lake Trout · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Walleye · Limit: DCL 5 / possession 10
- Arctic Grayling · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
37. Basile Lake (Northern Pike, Lake Trout, Walleye, Arctic Grayling)
Basile Lake, Northwest TerritoriesNamed lake in the Great Slave Lake & Southern NWT region of Northwest Territories.
- Northern Pike · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Lake Trout · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Walleye · Limit: DCL 5 / possession 10
- Arctic Grayling · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
38. Bear Lake (Northern Pike, Lake Trout, Walleye, Arctic Grayling)
Bear Lake, Northwest TerritoriesNamed lake in the Great Slave Lake & Southern NWT region of Northwest Territories.
- Northern Pike · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Lake Trout · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Walleye · Limit: DCL 5 / possession 10
- Arctic Grayling · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
Fishing Tips for the Great Slave Lake & Southern NWT
- Get a licence — All anglers need a valid fishing licence for your province — buy online before heading out.
- Check the weather & water conditions — always check forecasts and wind before heading out, especially on big water.
- Know the regulations — size and catch limits vary by water body in Northwest Territories; check the local regulations first.
- Best times — early morning and late evening are prime. Many Great Slave Lake & Southern NWT waters fish best in spring and fall.
- Use the right gear — match your rod, line, and tackle to the species you're chasing and the water you're fishing.
More Regions in Northwest Territories
- Great Bear Lake & Sahtu
- Mackenzie Delta & Arctic Coast
- Mackenzie River Valley
- North Slave & Barrenlands
- Yellowknife & East Arm
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