Great Slave Lake

Anglers know Great Slave Lake as one of the lesser-trafficked lakes of Northwest Territories, Canada. The standard playbook on a lake this size is to start shallow at first light, work outward toward deeper water as the sun climbs, and circle back to the shallows before dusk. Surface activity at Great Slave Lake is a useful tell — boils, swirls, and rising baitfish point straight at the predator zone.

Location

61.4478, -114.5289 · View on OpenStreetMap →

Species at This Spot

Northern pikeLake charInconnuYellow perchBurbotArctic grayling

Fishing Techniques

• For Northern pike

  Vary your retrieval speed and add pauses to entice strikes, especially in colder water.

• For Lake char

  Target lake trout in deep, cold water during the summer months, focusing on areas with structure or drop-offs; use a fish finder to locate schools of fish and baitfish.

• For Inconnu

  Focus on fishing near river mouths and areas with strong currents, as Inconnu often congregate in these locations to feed on baitfish.

Recommended Gear

Tackle commonly used to target the species at Great Slave Lake.

Plan Your Trip

Before fishing Great Slave Lake, make sure your licence covers Northwest Territories, Canada and that any species-specific seasons are open. Local regulations change year to year, so check the current rules rather than going from memory.

Nearby Spots in Northwest Territories

See all fishing spots in Northwest Territories →

Other Fishing Regions in Canada