Fishing in the Mackenzie River Valley
Explore fishing in the Mackenzie River Valley of Northwest Territories. Mackenzie River, South Nahanni River, Liard Rive
The Mackenzie River at Fort Providence offers inconnu (coney), Arctic grayling, and northern pike fishing. Inconnu can exceed 30 pounds and are powerful fighters. This is one of the best locations in Canada to target this unique species.
1. Mackenzie River (Arctic Grayling, Inconnu, Northern Pike)
Fort Providence areaThe Mackenzie River at the confluence with the Liard River at Fort Simpson offers excellent inconnu, Arctic grayling, and northern pike fishing. The meeting of these two great rivers creates productive fishing conditions.
- Arctic Grayling · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Inconnu · Limit: DCL 5 / possession 10
- Northern Pike · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
Boat Launch: Mackenzie River →
2. South Nahanni River (Arctic Grayling, Walleye)
Nahanni National ParkThe South Nahanni River in Nahanni National Park offers Arctic grayling and walleye fishing in a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Grayling in the 14-18 inch range are common. The river's spectacular scenery includes Virginia Falls, twice the height of Niagara.
- Arctic Grayling · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Walleye · Limit: DCL 5 / possession 10
Boat Launch: South Nahanni River →
3. Liard River (NWT Reach)
Liard River area, Northwest TerritoriesThe Liard River offers northern pike and walleye fishing in the NWT reach its confluence with the Mackenzie River. The river's slow-moving sections and backwaters provide excellent pike habitat.
4. Willow Lake (NWT)
Willow Lake area, Northwest TerritoriesWillow Lake offers northern pike and walleye fishing in the Mackenzie River valley. A productive lake with good fish populations and excellent bird watching.
5. Spence River (Arctic Grayling, Northern Pike)
Spence River area, Northwest TerritoriesThe Spence River offers Arctic grayling and northern pike fishing in the Mackenzie River valley.
- Arctic Grayling · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Northern Pike · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
6. Horn Plateau (Arctic Grayling, Lake Trout)
Horn Plateau area, Northwest TerritoriesThe Horn Plateau offers remote lake trout and Arctic grayling fishing in the Mackenzie Mountains by float plane.
- Arctic Grayling · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Lake Trout · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
7. Rabbitskin River (Arctic Grayling, Northern Pike)
Rabbitskin River area, Mackenzie valleyThe Rabbitskin River offers Arctic grayling and northern pike fishing in the Mackenzie River valley.
- Arctic Grayling · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Northern Pike · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
Boat Launch: Rabbitskin River →
8. North Nahanni River (Arctic Grayling, Northern Pike)
North Nahanni River area, Northwest TerritoriesThe North Nahanni River offers Arctic grayling and northern pike fishing in the Mackenzie River watershed. A productive river with good fish populations.
- Arctic Grayling · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Northern Pike · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
Boat Launch: North Nahanni River →
9. Birch River (NWT)
Birch River area, Northwest TerritoriesThe Birch River offers Arctic grayling fishing in the Liard River watershed in the Mackenzie Valley.
10. Poplar River (NWT)
Poplar River area, Northwest TerritoriesThe Poplar River offers northern pike and Arctic grayling fishing in the Mackenzie River valley.
11. Fort Providence Channel (Inconnu, Northern Pike)
Fort Providence area, Mackenzie RiverThe channels and backwaters of the Mackenzie River offer excellent inconnu and northern pike fishing with good shore and boat access.
- Inconnu · Limit: DCL 5 / possession 10
- Northern Pike · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
12. Mills Lake (Northern Pike, Walleye)
Mills Lake area, Mackenzie River valleyMills Lake offers northern pike and walleye fishing in the Mackenzie River floodplain. A productive shallow lake with excellent bird life.
- Northern Pike · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Walleye · Limit: DCL 5 / possession 10
13. Jean Marie River (Arctic Grayling, Northern Pike)
Jean Marie River area, Mackenzie valleyThe Jean Marie River offers Arctic grayling and northern pike fishing in the Mackenzie River valley.
- Arctic Grayling · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Northern Pike · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
Boat Launch: Jean Marie River →
14. Trout Lake (NWT)
Trout Lake area, Mackenzie valleyTrout Lake offers lake trout and northern pike fishing in the Mackenzie River valley. Despite its name, the lake holds good populations of both species.
15. Fort Liard Area (Northern Pike, Walleye)
Fort Liard area, Liard RiverThe Fort Liard area on the Liard River offers northern pike and walleye fishing in the southern NWT. The community provides access to the Liard River system.
- Northern Pike · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Walleye · Limit: DCL 5 / possession 10
16. Petitot River (Arctic Grayling, Northern Pike)
Petitot River area, southern NWTThe Petitot River offers Arctic grayling and northern pike fishing in the Liard River watershed of the southern NWT.
- Arctic Grayling · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Northern Pike · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
17. Blackstone River (Liard)
Blackstone River area, Liard watershedThe Blackstone River offers Arctic grayling and northern pike fishing in the Liard River watershed of the southern NWT.
Boat Launch: Blackstone River →
18. Kotaneelee River (Arctic Grayling, Eel, Northern Pike)
Kotaneelee River area, Liard watershedThe Kotaneelee River offers Arctic grayling and northern pike fishing in the Liard River system of the southern NWT.
- Arctic Grayling · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Northern Pike · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
Boat Launch: Kotaneelee River →
19. Tlogotsho Range Lakes (Arctic Grayling, Lake Trout)
Tlogotsho Range area, Mackenzie MountainsThe lakes of the Tlogotsho Range in the Mackenzie Mountains offer remote lake trout and Arctic grayling fishing in a spectacular alpine setting.
- Arctic Grayling · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Lake Trout · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
Boat Launch: Tlogotsho Range Lakes →
20. Antoine Lake (NWT, Northern Pike, Walleye, Arctic Grayling, Lake Trout)
Antoine Lake, Northwest TerritoriesNamed lake in the Mackenzie River Valley region of Northwest Territories.
- Northern Pike · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Walleye · Limit: DCL 5 / possession 10
- Arctic Grayling · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Lake Trout · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
21. Arrowhead Lake (NWT, Northern Pike, Walleye, Arctic Grayling, Lake Trout)
Arrowhead Lake, Northwest TerritoriesNamed lake in the Mackenzie River Valley region of Northwest Territories.
- Northern Pike · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Walleye · Limit: DCL 5 / possession 10
- Arctic Grayling · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Lake Trout · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
22. Avalanche Lake (NWT, Northern Pike, Walleye, Arctic Grayling, Lake Trout)
Avalanche Lake, Northwest TerritoriesNamed lake in the Mackenzie River Valley region of Northwest Territories.
- Northern Pike · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Walleye · Limit: DCL 5 / possession 10
- Arctic Grayling · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Lake Trout · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
23. Bartlett Lake (NWT, Northern Pike, Walleye, Arctic Grayling, Lake Trout)
Bartlett Lake, Northwest TerritoriesNamed lake in the Mackenzie River Valley region of Northwest Territories.
- Northern Pike · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Walleye · Limit: DCL 5 / possession 10
- Arctic Grayling · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Lake Trout · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
24. Bea Lake (NWT, Northern Pike, Walleye, Arctic Grayling, Lake Trout)
Bea Lake, Northwest TerritoriesNamed lake in the Mackenzie River Valley region of Northwest Territories.
- Northern Pike · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Walleye · Limit: DCL 5 / possession 10
- Arctic Grayling · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Lake Trout · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
25. Beauregard Lake (NWT, Northern Pike, Walleye, Arctic Grayling, Lake Trout)
Beauregard Lake, Northwest TerritoriesNamed lake in the Mackenzie River Valley region of Northwest Territories.
- Northern Pike · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Walleye · Limit: DCL 5 / possession 10
- Arctic Grayling · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Lake Trout · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
Boat Launch: Prosperous Lake Boat Launch →
26. Beauvais Lake (NWT, Northern Pike, Walleye, Arctic Grayling, Lake Trout)
Beauvais Lake, Northwest TerritoriesNamed lake in the Mackenzie River Valley region of Northwest Territories.
- Northern Pike · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Walleye · Limit: DCL 5 / possession 10
- Arctic Grayling · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Lake Trout · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
27. Beaverhill Lake (NWT, Northern Pike, Walleye, Arctic Grayling, Lake Trout)
Beaverhill Lake, Northwest TerritoriesNamed lake in the Mackenzie River Valley region of Northwest Territories.
- Northern Pike · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Walleye · Limit: DCL 5 / possession 10
- Arctic Grayling · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Lake Trout · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
Boat Launch: Beaverhill Lake →
28. Beaver Lake (NWT, Northern Pike, Walleye, Arctic Grayling, Lake Trout)
Beaver Lake, Northwest TerritoriesNamed lake in the Mackenzie River Valley region of Northwest Territories.
- Northern Pike · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Walleye · Limit: DCL 5 / possession 10
- Arctic Grayling · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Lake Trout · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
29. Beaverleg Lake (NWT, Northern Pike, Walleye, Arctic Grayling, Lake Trout)
Beaverleg Lake, Northwest TerritoriesNamed lake in the Mackenzie River Valley region of Northwest Territories.
- Northern Pike · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Walleye · Limit: DCL 5 / possession 10
- Arctic Grayling · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Lake Trout · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
30. Beck Lake (NWT, Northern Pike, Walleye, Arctic Grayling, Lake Trout)
Beck Lake, Northwest TerritoriesNamed lake in the Mackenzie River Valley region of Northwest Territories.
- Northern Pike · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Walleye · Limit: DCL 5 / possession 10
- Arctic Grayling · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Lake Trout · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
31. Bedareh Lake (NWT, Northern Pike, Walleye, Arctic Grayling, Lake Trout)
Bedareh Lake, Northwest TerritoriesNamed lake in the Mackenzie River Valley region of Northwest Territories.
- Northern Pike · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Walleye · Limit: DCL 5 / possession 10
- Arctic Grayling · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Lake Trout · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
32. Bedford Lake (NWT, Northern Pike, Walleye, Arctic Grayling, Lake Trout)
Bedford Lake, Northwest TerritoriesNamed lake in the Mackenzie River Valley region of Northwest Territories.
- Northern Pike · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Walleye · Limit: DCL 5 / possession 10
- Arctic Grayling · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Lake Trout · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
33. Bedodid Lake (NWT, Northern Pike, Walleye, Arctic Grayling, Lake Trout)
Bedodid Lake, Northwest TerritoriesNamed lake in the Mackenzie River Valley region of Northwest Territories.
- Northern Pike · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Walleye · Limit: DCL 5 / possession 10
- Arctic Grayling · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Lake Trout · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
34. Beirnes Lake (NWT, Northern Pike, Walleye, Arctic Grayling, Lake Trout)
Beirnes Lake, Northwest TerritoriesNamed lake in the Mackenzie River Valley region of Northwest Territories.
- Northern Pike · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Walleye · Limit: DCL 5 / possession 10
- Arctic Grayling · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Lake Trout · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
35. Bell Heather Lake (NWT, Northern Pike, Walleye, Arctic Grayling, Lake Trout)
Bell Heather Lake, Northwest TerritoriesNamed lake in the Mackenzie River Valley region of Northwest Territories.
- Northern Pike · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Walleye · Limit: DCL 5 / possession 10
- Arctic Grayling · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Lake Trout · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
Boat Launch: Bell Heather Lake →
36. Bell Lake (NWT, Northern Pike, Walleye, Arctic Grayling, Lake Trout)
Bell Lake, Northwest TerritoriesNamed lake in the Mackenzie River Valley region of Northwest Territories.
- Northern Pike · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Walleye · Limit: DCL 5 / possession 10
- Arctic Grayling · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Lake Trout · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
37. Beniah Lake (NWT, Northern Pike, Walleye, Arctic Grayling, Lake Trout)
Beniah Lake, Northwest TerritoriesNamed lake in the Mackenzie River Valley region of Northwest Territories.
- Northern Pike · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Walleye · Limit: DCL 5 / possession 10
- Arctic Grayling · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Lake Trout · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
38. Benjamin Lake (NWT, Northern Pike, Walleye, Arctic Grayling, Lake Trout)
Benjamin Lake, Northwest TerritoriesNamed lake in the Mackenzie River Valley region of Northwest Territories.
- Northern Pike · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Walleye · Limit: DCL 5 / possession 10
- Arctic Grayling · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Lake Trout · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
39. Benna Thy Lake (NWT, Northern Pike, Walleye, Arctic Grayling, Lake Trout)
Benna Thy Lake, Northwest TerritoriesNamed lake in the Mackenzie River Valley region of Northwest Territories.
- Northern Pike · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Walleye · Limit: DCL 5 / possession 10
- Arctic Grayling · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
- Lake Trout · Limit: DCL 3 / possession 5
Fishing Tips for the Mackenzie River Valley
- 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 Mackenzie River Valley 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
- Great Slave Lake & Southern NWT
- Mackenzie Delta & Arctic Coast
- North Slave & Barrenlands
- Yellowknife & East Arm
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