Trophy Lake Trout
Great Bear Lake, Canada
Key Details
Accommodation
Lakeside Lodge
Season
June – August
Species
Lake Trout, Arctic Grayling, Northern Pike & Arctic Char
Style
Spinning, Trolling & Fly-Fishing
Nowhere on earth do lake trout grow larger than in Canada's arctic Northwest Territories.
BUCKET LIST Lake Trout.
Why We Go ➜
- Record-Breaking Lake Trout. Great Bear Lake is home to some of the largest Lake Trout ever caught, with fish surpassing 70 lbs and opportunities for true world-record potential.
- Exclusive Wilderness Access. Only around 300 anglers fish Great Bear Lake each year, making this one of the most remote and exclusive freshwater fishing experiences on the planet.
- All-Inclusive Luxury Lodge. Enjoy a fly-in lodge experience with Red Seal chef-prepared meals, a fully stocked bar, massage therapist, and comfortable cabins powered 24/7.
- Multi-Species Opportunities. In addition to trophy Lake Trout, anglers can target Arctic Grayling, Arctic Char, and Northern Pike, with optional fly-outs to remote rivers.
7 Day Adventure
$7,900 per angler
- Five days guided fishing on Great Bear Lake.
- Six nights lake-side lodging.
- Round-trip air transfers from Yellowknife to the lodge.
- All meals & non-alcoholic beverages.
Fishing for Lake Trout at Great Bear Lake is a completely different experience from chasing them in the southern Great Lakes. Here in the Arctic, the water stays so cold that the fish cruise the top of the water column instead of holding deep, which means no downriggers are needed. Anglers can target trophy trout with two proven techniques — trolling and jigging — both of which produce explosive strikes from fish that can top 50 pounds. Guides provide everything you need, and the lodge has a full tackle shop, so bringing your own gear is optional.
For those who prefer a more hands-on approach, jigging with bucktails or tubes in bright colors is a favorite, while classic spoons and plugs shine when trolling the vast bays and points of Great Bear. Fly fishing is also possible here, a rarity in most Lake Trout destinations. Because the fish are near the surface, large streamers in chartreuse, white, or orange can tempt these Arctic giants, offering fly anglers a unique opportunity to battle one of the strongest freshwater predators in the world.
Lodging:
Part of Plummers Arctic Lodges portfolio, Great Bear Lake Lodge is world famous for providing an unparalleled, all-inclusive fly in fishing adventure. The lodge is made up of a main lodge and cabins on the shore of the lake.
Two turbine Otter planes are stationed at the lodge and offers anglers daily fly out opportunities. This is the only lodge that offers anglers the opportunity of accessing any fishing for Arctic Char, including on the world famous Tree River.
Features at the lodge include:
- Tree River Access
- Red Seal Chef
- Fully Stocked Bar
- On-Site Massage Therapist
- Fireplace
- Pool Table
- Thursday “Wine & Cheese” Night
- Tackle Shop
- High-Speed Internet Access
- Meeting Facilities
- 24-Hour Electricity
- Private Guest Cabins with Attached Bathrooms
Great Bear Lake is located in Canada’s Northwest Territories. The Northwest Territories is a land of contrasts. It is 1.17 million square kilometres of mountains, forests, and tundra threaded by wild, clean rivers feeding thousands of pristine lakes. Only 40,000 people live amid this rugged natural beauty.
How to get there:
Anglers will need to fly into Yellowknife, NWT. Daily flights are available from Canada’s major airports including Vancouver, Toronto, Edmonton and Calgary. Upon arrival in Yellowknife, anglers will be met by a member of staff and transferred to a hotel, before chartering a flight to the lodge the following day.
Documents Required:
A valid passport is required to enter Canada. We will inform you what visa may also be needed based on your nationality.
Travel Arrangements:
We will advise on the best flight options.
7-Day Tour Itinerary:
5 Days Fishing
Day 1:
Anglers arrive in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada and are met by a member of staff at the airport. No flights arrive early enough to make it to the lodge and anglers will spend the night at a hotel in Yellowknife. Anglers will be transported to their hotel for the night and the outline for the following day’s travel to Great Bear Lake will be discussed.
Day 2:
A shuttle will pick anglers up at their hotel and transfer to the charter flight terminal for the charter flight to Great Bear Lake. Anglers typically arrive at the lodge around lunch time, before heading out for their first fishing session.
Day 3 – 6:
Four full guided fishing days on Great Bear Lake targeting trophy Lake Trout.
Day 7:
Anglers depart Great Bear Lake via charter flight to Yellowknife. From here anglers will board their flights from Yellowknife to Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary etc. before heading home.
Rates Per Angler:
USD $7,900 per angler
What’s Included:
- Six nights lodging at Great Bear Lake.
- 5 Days guided fishing for trophy Lake Trout and other species.
- All meals and non-alcoholic beverages at the lodge.
- Meet and greet at the airport.
- All transfers from Yellowknife including charter flight to lodge.
- All tackle and equipment.
- High-speed internet.
What’s Not Included:
- Flights to Yellowknife, NWT.
- Overnight hotel in Yellowknife on arrival.
- Alcoholic beverages. Full bar available.
- Tips for staff.
GALLERY
Plan Your Trip:
Frequently Asked Questions:
What makes Great Bear Lake one of the best places in the world for Lake Trout fishing?
Great Bear Lake in Canada’s Northwest Territories is the largest lake entirely within Canada and holds some of the biggest Lake Trout on the planet. Fish regularly exceed 40 lbs, with trophy catches over 70 lbs possible. Its remote location and limited access mean very few anglers ever fish these waters, keeping the fishery pristine and productive.
What fishing techniques are used to catch Lake Trout at Great Bear Lake?
Unlike southern waters, Lake Trout here stay high in the water column due to the cold Arctic temperatures. The most common techniques are trolling and jigging with spoons, plugs, and jigs. Fly fishing is also possible, a unique opportunity to target Lake Trout with large streamers in shallow or mid-depth waters.
Do I need to bring my own gear for Lake Trout fishing?
You are welcome to bring your own rods, reels, and tackle, but it isn’t necessary. Plummer’s Lodges provides an excellent supply of high-quality gear, and there is a fully stocked tackle shop on-site for lures and other essentials.
What is the best season to fish for Lake Trout at Great Bear Lake?
The fishing season runs from late June through August, during the short Arctic summer. This is when the lake is ice-free, and conditions are ideal for targeting trophy trout near the surface.