The Fishing Trip of a Lifetime

With more than 60,000 square miles of water, it’s no surprise that Nunavut is an angler’s paradise. With lake trout as big as your arms, plentiful arctic char and trophy-sized pike, you may need a bigger net as the number of world records broken in this remote and rugged land is continually growing. While size certainly does matter, the real fun is cooking your daily catch for a true local experience.

Here are 5 ways to have the fishing trip of a lifetime in Nunavut:

Cast a line at midnight

While you may enjoy humming along to the country song, “you and me going fishing in the dark,” with the summer solstice providing 24-hours of daylight, darkness never seems to be a problem for summers in Nunavut. You’ll have plenty of light to maneuver your rod any time of the day or night in this unique arctic zone.

Spend a week at a lodge

With guides, transportation and accommodations all included; the locals will be able to tell you where the best spots to cast a line are. Not normally known for being a super-social sport, you’ll be able to interact with other fishermen to share tips and tricks and maybe make a new fishing pal out of the deal.

Get (even more) remote

While most of Nunavut is scarcely populated, you can get even more off the grid by having a dogsled or snowmobile take you to a truly private spot. Just make sure to bring a guide or tell someone where you’re going because the rivers are fast flowing, turbulent and can be slippery and dangerous. Because isn’t getting there half the adventure?

Go ice fishing

For a true Northern experience, Intuits can show you how to chisel through the ice in search of arctic char and cod as late in the season as April and May. Just be sure to dress appropriately because the temperatures can still reach below zero into springtime.

Try it the old fashioned way

A way of life for over 1000 years, traditional fishing methods have included spears and harpoons carved from walrus ivory. If you’re up for a challenge, try fishing the way your ancestors did it. Some even caught fish with their hands!