Fishing in the High Arctic Islands
Explore fishing in the High Arctic Islands of Nunavut. Lake Hazen, Resolute Bay Area, Grise Fiord Area, Eureka Area, Qut
Lake Hazen is the largest lake in the High Arctic, located in Quttinirpaaq National Park on Ellesmere Island. It offers Arctic char and Arctic grayling fishing in the world's most northerly lake. The lake's unique ecosystem supports fish in extreme Arctic conditions.
1. Lake Hazen (Arctic Char, Arctic Grayling)
Lake Hazen, Ellesmere Island, Quttinirpaaq ParkLake Hazen is the largest lake in the High Arctic, located in Quttinirpaaq National Park on Ellesmere Island. It offers Arctic char and Arctic grayling fishing in the world's most northerly lake. The lake's unique ecosystem supports fish in extreme Arctic conditions.
- CHAR · Limit: waterbody-specific DCL/PL · see guide table
2. Resolute Bay Area (Arctic Char)
Resolute Bay, Cornwallis IslandThe Resolute Bay area on Cornwallis Island offers Arctic char fishing in one of Canada's most northerly communities. The rivers flowing into Resolute Bay host char runs in the short Arctic summer.
- CHAR · Limit: waterbody-specific DCL/PL · see guide table
Boat Launch: Resolute Bay Area →
3. Grise Fiord Area (Arctic Char)
Grise Fiord, Ellesmere IslandGrise Fiord is Canada's northernmost community and offers Arctic char fishing in the fiords and rivers of southern Ellesmere Island. The community provides access to a truly Arctic fishing experience.
- CHAR · Limit: waterbody-specific DCL/PL · see guide table
Boat Launch: Grise Fiord Area →
4. Eureka Area (Arctic Char, Arctic Grayling)
Eureka, Ellesmere IslandThe Eureka area on Ellesmere Island offers Arctic char and Arctic grayling fishing in the rivers and lakes weather station. Access is extremely limited, but the fishing is pristine.
- CHAR · Limit: waterbody-specific DCL/PL · see guide table
5. Quttinirpaaq Park Rivers (Arctic Char, Arctic Grayling)
Quttinirpaaq National Park, EllesmereThe rivers of Quttinirpaaq National Park on Ellesmere Island offer Arctic char and Arctic grayling fishing in the most northerly park in Canada. The park's extreme Arctic desert supports specialized fish populations.
- CHAR · Limit: waterbody-specific DCL/PL · see guide table
Boat Launch: Quttinirpaaq Park Rivers →
6. Devon Island (Arctic Char)
Devon Island, High ArcticDevon Island, the largest uninhabited island on Earth, offers Arctic char fishing in its coastal rivers. The island's stark Arctic landscape provides a unique wilderness fishing experience.
- CHAR · Limit: waterbody-specific DCL/PL · see guide table
7. Axel Heiberg Island (Arctic Char)
Axel Heiberg Island, High ArcticAxel Heiberg Island offers Arctic char fishing in rivers flowing from its unique fossil forests. The island's warm springs create unique microenvironments supporting fish populations.
- CHAR · Limit: waterbody-specific DCL/PL · see guide table
Boat Launch: Axel Heiberg Island →
8. Bathurst Island (Arctic Char, Arctic Grayling)
Bathurst Island, High ArcticBathurst Island offers Arctic char and Arctic grayling fishing in the rivers of this remote High Arctic island. The island is a polar bear habitat and requires extreme caution.
- CHAR · Limit: waterbody-specific DCL/PL · see guide table
Boat Launch: Bathurst Island →
9. Ellef Ringnes Island (Arctic Char)
Ellef Ringnes Island, Sverdrup IslandsEllef Ringnes Island offers Arctic char fishing in one of the most remote locations in the world. The island's rivers hold small populations of Arctic char adapted to extreme conditions.
- CHAR · Limit: waterbody-specific DCL/PL · see guide table
Boat Launch: Ellef Ringnes Island →
10. Meighen Island (Arctic Char)
Meighen Island, High ArcticMeighen Island is one of the most remote islands in the Canadian Arctic. Its coastal waters offer limited Arctic char fishing for the most adventurous anglers.
- CHAR · Limit: waterbody-specific DCL/PL · see guide table
11. Borden Island (Arctic Char)
Borden Island, High ArcticBorden Island offers Arctic char fishing in the rivers of this remote High Arctic island. Access is extremely limited to scientific expeditions and the most intrepid adventurers.
- CHAR · Limit: waterbody-specific DCL/PL · see guide table
12. Prince Patrick Island (Arctic Char)
Prince Patrick Island, western High ArcticPrince Patrick Island offers Arctic char fishing in its coastal rivers. The island's remote location in the western High Arctic provides true wilderness fishing.
- CHAR · Limit: waterbody-specific DCL/PL · see guide table
Boat Launch: Prince Patrick Island →
13. Melville Island (Arctic Char, Arctic Grayling)
Melville Island, High ArcticMelville Island offers Arctic char and Arctic grayling fishing in the rivers of this large High Arctic island. Historically significant as an early Arctic exploration site.
- CHAR · Limit: waterbody-specific DCL/PL · see guide table
Boat Launch: Melville Island →
14. Amund Ringnes Island (Arctic Char)
Amund Ringnes Island, Sverdrup IslandsAmund Ringnes Island offers Arctic char fishing in the rivers of this remote High Arctic island. Access is by expedition support only.
- CHAR · Limit: waterbody-specific DCL/PL · see guide table
Boat Launch: Amund Ringnes Island →
15. Cornwall Island (High Arctic)
Cornwall Island, NunavutCornwall Island offers Arctic char fishing in the waters. The island's coastal rivers host char runs in the short Arctic summer.
Boat Launch: Cornwall Island →
16. Access Lake (Arctic Char, Arctic Grayling)
Access Lake, NunavutNamed lake in the High Arctic Islands region of Nunavut.
- CHAR · Limit: waterbody-specific DCL/PL · see guide table
17. Alexandra Lake (Arctic Char, Arctic Grayling)
Alexandra Lake, NunavutNamed lake in the High Arctic Islands region of Nunavut.
- CHAR · Limit: waterbody-specific DCL/PL · see guide table
18. Allen Lake (Arctic Char, Arctic Grayling)
Allen Lake, NunavutNamed lake in the High Arctic Islands region of Nunavut.
- CHAR · Limit: waterbody-specific DCL/PL · see guide table
19. Anowee Lake (Arctic Char, Arctic Grayling)
Anowee Lake, NunavutNamed lake in the High Arctic Islands region of Nunavut.
- CHAR · Limit: waterbody-specific DCL/PL · see guide table
20. Appleby Lake (Arctic Char, Arctic Grayling)
Appleby Lake, NunavutNamed lake in the High Arctic Islands region of Nunavut.
- CHAR · Limit: waterbody-specific DCL/PL · see guide table
21. Astro Lake (Arctic Char, Arctic Grayling)
Astro Lake, NunavutNamed lake in the High Arctic Islands region of Nunavut.
- CHAR · Limit: waterbody-specific DCL/PL · see guide table
22. Atka Lake (Arctic Char, Arctic Grayling)
Atka Lake, NunavutNamed lake in the High Arctic Islands region of Nunavut.
- CHAR · Limit: waterbody-specific DCL/PL · see guide table
23. Barren Lake (Arctic Char, Arctic Grayling)
Barren Lake, NunavutNamed lake in the High Arctic Islands region of Nunavut.
- CHAR · Limit: waterbody-specific DCL/PL · see guide table
24. Barrier Lake (Arctic Char, Arctic Grayling)
Barrier Lake, NunavutNamed lake in the High Arctic Islands region of Nunavut.
- CHAR · Limit: waterbody-specific DCL/PL · see guide table
25. Bear Lake (Arctic Char, Arctic Grayling)
Bear Lake, NunavutNamed lake in the High Arctic Islands region of Nunavut.
- CHAR · Limit: waterbody-specific DCL/PL · see guide table
26. Bernier Lake (Arctic Char, Arctic Grayling)
Bernier Lake, NunavutNamed lake in the High Arctic Islands region of Nunavut.
- CHAR · Limit: waterbody-specific DCL/PL · see guide table
27. Between Lake (Arctic Char, Arctic Grayling)
Between Lake, NunavutNamed lake in the High Arctic Islands region of Nunavut.
- CHAR · Limit: waterbody-specific DCL/PL · see guide table
28. Beverly Lake (Arctic Char, Arctic Grayling)
Beverly Lake, NunavutNamed lake in the High Arctic Islands region of Nunavut.
- CHAR · Limit: waterbody-specific DCL/PL · see guide table
29. Biederbick Lake (Arctic Char, Arctic Grayling)
Biederbick Lake, NunavutNamed lake in the High Arctic Islands region of Nunavut.
- CHAR · Limit: waterbody-specific DCL/PL · see guide table
Boat Launch: Biederbick Lake →
30. Bieler Lake (Arctic Char, Arctic Grayling)
Bieler Lake, NunavutNamed lake in the High Arctic Islands region of Nunavut.
- CHAR · Limit: waterbody-specific DCL/PL · see guide table
31. Birthday Bay (Arctic Char, Arctic Grayling, High Arctic)
Birthday Bay, NunavutNamed lake in the High Arctic Islands region of Nunavut.
- CHAR · Limit: waterbody-specific DCL/PL · see guide table
32. Bissett Lake (Arctic Char, Arctic Grayling)
Bissett Lake, NunavutNamed lake in the High Arctic Islands region of Nunavut.
- CHAR · Limit: waterbody-specific DCL/PL · see guide table
33. Black Lake (Arctic Char, Arctic Grayling)
Black Lake, NunavutNamed lake in the High Arctic Islands region of Nunavut.
- CHAR · Limit: waterbody-specific DCL/PL · see guide table
34. Blakely Lake (Arctic Char, Arctic Grayling)
Blakely Lake, NunavutNamed lake in the High Arctic Islands region of Nunavut.
- CHAR · Limit: waterbody-specific DCL/PL · see guide table
35. Blanchfield Lake (Arctic Char, Arctic Grayling)
Blanchfield Lake, NunavutNamed lake in the High Arctic Islands region of Nunavut.
- CHAR · Limit: waterbody-specific DCL/PL · see guide table
Boat Launch: Blanchfield Lake →
36. Blue Ice Lake (Arctic Char, Arctic Grayling)
Blue Ice Lake, NunavutNamed lake in the High Arctic Islands region of Nunavut.
- CHAR · Limit: waterbody-specific DCL/PL · see guide table
37. Bluenose Lake (Arctic Char, Arctic Grayling)
Bluenose Lake, NunavutNamed lake in the High Arctic Islands region of Nunavut.
- CHAR · Limit: waterbody-specific DCL/PL · see guide table
38. Boas Lake (Arctic Char, Arctic Grayling)
Boas Lake, NunavutNamed lake in the High Arctic Islands region of Nunavut.
- CHAR · Limit: waterbody-specific DCL/PL · see guide table
39. Boffa Lake (Arctic Char, Arctic Grayling)
Boffa Lake, NunavutNamed lake in the High Arctic Islands region of Nunavut.
- CHAR · Limit: waterbody-specific DCL/PL · see guide table
40. Boland Lake (Arctic Char, Arctic Grayling)
Boland Lake, NunavutNamed lake in the High Arctic Islands region of Nunavut.
- CHAR · Limit: waterbody-specific DCL/PL · see guide table
Fishing Tips for the High Arctic Islands
- 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 Nunavut; check the local regulations first.
- Best times — early morning and late evening are prime. Many High Arctic Islands 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.
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