Fishing in Nunavut

Nunavut is the largest and least populated territory in Canada — a vast Arctic expanse of tundra, ice, and water that can only be reached by air or sea.

The landscape is dominated by cold, clear rivers draining into Hudson Bay, the Arctic Ocean, and the channels of the Arctic Archipelago, along with countless lakes that see almost no fishing pressure. This is not a place you drift into on a road trip.

Getting here takes planning, and that remoteness is exactly the point. Arctic char is the fish that defines Nunavut.

They're anadromous — moving between saltwater and freshwater — and unlike salmon, they keep feeding once they enter rivers, which makes them genuinely catchable on bright spoons and spinners.

They fight hard, using current and rapids to their advantage, and you'll lose plenty.

The Coppermine River, which runs through Kugluk/Bloody Falls Territorial Park, is one of the most storied char fisheries in the territory and draws fly anglers specifically for the quality of the water and the setting.

Cumberland Sound in the Baffin region is another focal point, with char runs set against dramatic coastal terrain. The Kivalliq region, along the western shore of Hudson Bay, holds a network of river systems that reward fly-in canoe trips.

Waters like the Perry River and McConnell River flow through country where the fish have seen almost nothing.

Northern pike and arctic grayling are present in many of these systems alongside char, and during the long Arctic summer days — up to 24 hours of light — there's no real reason to stop fishing. Licensing here requires attention.

A territorial sport fishing licence is issued through Nunavut's Department of Environment, but it does not cover national park waters. Auyuittuq National Park and Sirmilik National Park each require a separate Parks Canada permit.

Inuit Owned Lands and local Hunters and Trappers Organizations may have additional terms worth confirming before you travel.

Check the current Nunavut Sport Fishing Guide for seasons and rules — they shift, and the territory is serious about managing these fisheries carefully.

The Inuit have fished these waters for generations using stone weirs and kakivaks, three-pronged spears, and that relationship between people and fish still shapes how the territory approaches conservation.

Coming here as a sport angler means entering a place where the fish genuinely matter to the communities that live alongside them. Treat it accordingly.