Yellowknife Fishing | 3 Day Great Slave Lake Trip
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Threeday guided fishing adventure at Great Slave Lake LodgeTrophy Lake Trout fishing on pristine northern watersGourmet dining and luxury lodge amenities included
Picture yourself casting lines into some of the deepest, clearest water you've ever seen, with trophy lake trout cruising beneath your boat and the northern wilderness stretching endlessly in every direction. That's exactly what you'll get with this 3-day fishing adventure at Great Slave Lake Lodge in Yellowknife. I've been guiding anglers through these waters for years, and I can tell you straight up – this place delivers the kind of fishing stories you'll be telling for decades. The lodge sits right on the edge of Great Slave Lake, giving you prime access to world-class fishing grounds where massive lake trout, aggressive northern pike, and seasonal salmon runs create some of the most consistent action in the Northwest Territories.
Your days start early with a hearty breakfast before we head out in fully equipped boats designed for these big waters. Great Slave Lake isn't your average fishing spot – we're talking about one of the deepest lakes in North America, with crystal-clear water that lets you see your lure working 20 feet down. The guided trips take you to proven hot spots where the fish are actively feeding, and trust me, when a 40-pound lake trout decides it wants your spoon, you'll know it immediately. Between fishing sessions, you'll head back to the lodge for gourmet lunches prepared by a Red Seal Chef – none of that typical camp food here. The lodge itself feels like a home away from home, complete with a crackling fireplace where anglers gather each evening to swap stories and plan the next day's tactics over drinks from the fully stocked bar.
We primarily use trolling techniques here, which is hands-down the most effective method for covering water and finding active fish in Great Slave Lake's massive expanse. You'll be working with heavy spoons, large swimbaits, and deep-diving plugs that can reach the thermoclines where big trout hang out during different parts of the season. The boats come equipped with quality downriggers and fish finders, so we can precisely control our lure depth and mark fish before we even start working an area. For pike fishing, we'll switch things up with casting techniques around shallow bays and weed edges, using spinnerbaits and large topwater lures that drive these aggressive predators absolutely crazy. All the gear is provided, but if you've got favorite rods or reels you trust for big fish, feel free to bring them along – just make sure your drag system can handle the pressure these fish put on.
Northern Pike in Great Slave Lake are absolute monsters, regularly hitting the 15-20 pound range with fish over 25 pounds showing up more often than you'd expect. These guys are most active during the warmer months and early fall, hanging around shallow bays and weed lines where they ambush anything that moves. What makes pike fishing here so addictive is their aggressive nature – they'll absolutely demolish a topwater lure in spectacular fashion, often launching themselves completely out of the water. The size and attitude of these fish combined with the pristine setting makes every strike feel like a trophy moment.
Lake Trout are the real stars of Great Slave Lake, with fish commonly reaching 30-40 pounds and true giants over 50 pounds pulled up each season. These deep-water fighters prefer the cooler months but can be targeted year-round by adjusting depth and presentation. Lakers here have that classic silver coloration that comes from living in ultra-clear water, and their fight is legendary – long, powerful runs that test your equipment and endurance. The best part about targeting lake trout here is the consistency; this isn't a place where you hope to get lucky, it's a destination where you expect to tangle with multiple quality fish each day.
Chinook Salmon make seasonal runs through Great Slave Lake that create some of the most exciting fishing of the year. These Pacific salmon average 15-25 pounds but can push well over 30, and they bring that classic salmon aggression and acrobatic fighting style that gets every angler's heart racing. The timing has to be right for salmon, typically during their spawning runs, but when they're in the system, the action can be non-stop. Chinooks here are bright, powerful, and absolutely beautiful fish that represent the pinnacle of northern fishing opportunities.
Chum Salmon also make appearances during specific runs, offering anglers a chance at a different species with its own unique fighting characteristics. These fish might not get the same attention as Chinooks, but they're scrappy fighters that put up a serious battle once hooked. Chum salmon fishing requires understanding their seasonal patterns and preferred water temperatures, which is where having experienced guides makes all the difference in connecting with these fish during their brief windows of availability.
Arctic Char represent the exotic end of the fishing spectrum here, with their stunning colors and northern pedigree making them a bucket-list species for many anglers. These char typically run smaller than the lake trout but make up for size with incredible beauty and spirited fights. They prefer cooler water and specific habitat conditions, so timing and location become crucial factors in targeting them successfully. When you do connect with arctic char, you're holding a fish that truly represents the wild character of Canada's northern waters.
This 3-day Great Slave Lake fishing trip delivers everything serious anglers dream about – consistent action with trophy-class fish, professional guiding that puts you on the best spots, and lodge amenities that make the whole experience comfortable and memorable. The combination of multiple target species means every day brings new opportunities and different techniques, keeping the fishing fresh and exciting from start to finish. With Great Slave Lake's reputation as a premier northern fishing destination and Plummer's Arctic Lodges' track record of putting guests on fish, you're looking at a trip that'll exceed expectations and leave you planning your return visit before you even head home. Keep in mind that deposits are non-refun
Get ready to chase trophy lake trout across Great Slave Lake's legendary waters with this reliable 18-foot 2009 Lund motorboat. Powered by a solid 40HP Mercury engine, she'll get you to those prime fishing spots where the big ones are biting without burning through your fuel budget. The spacious deck gives you plenty of room to fight those monster trout, while built-in storage keeps all your tackle organized and ready. GPS navigation takes the guesswork out of finding those secret honey holes the guides have marked over the years. Perfect for solo anglers or fishing with a buddy, this boat handles Great Slave Lake's conditions like a champ. Whether you're jigging deep structure or working the shoreline, you'll have everything you need for three days of serious northern pike and lake trout action.
Salvelinus alpinusArctic Char are beautiful fish with incredible table quality - think of them as the northern cousin of brook trout. They average 2-4 pounds with bright silver sides and pink spots, turning brilliant red during spawning. You'll find them in shallow bays and river mouths, usually under 10 feet, feeding on insects and small baitfish. Late spring through early fall is peak season when they're actively feeding. Guests rave about the fight - they're surprisingly strong for their size - and the delicate, mild flesh that's perfect pan-fried. They spook easily in shallow water, so approach quietly and keep your shadow off the water. Best technique is sight fishing with small spoons or flies. Local tip: use light tackle and natural presentations. These fish are smart and will ignore anything that looks fake. A slow, steady retrieve usually outperforms flashy action.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaChinook are the kings of salmon, and Great Slave Lake's cold, deep waters grow some monsters. These silver-sided fighters average 15-20 pounds but can push 30+ in our waters. They cruise the deeper basins most of the year, coming shallower during spring turnover and fall. Early morning and evening are prime time when they're actively feeding on baitfish. What draws guests back is the raw power - Chinook make long runs and fight to the bitter end. Plus, that orange-pink meat is table fare gold. They're light-sensitive, so we target them in 40-80 feet of water using downriggers and heavy spoons. Pro tip: when trolling, vary your speed every few minutes. A sudden speed change often triggers strikes from followers. Keep your drag smooth - these fish can snap lines on their initial run.
Oncorhynchus KetaChum salmon are underrated fighters that show up in our tributary systems during their spawning runs. These medium-sized salmon average 10-15 pounds and develop distinctive hooked jaws and tiger-like stripes when mature. They prefer deeper pools and runs in rivers, typically 6-20 feet deep with good current. Late summer through early fall is prime time when they're fresh from the lake and full of fight. Guests love them for their surprising strength and decent table fare when caught early in the run. They're sight feeders, so clear water days are best. We usually fish them with bright flies - chartreuse and pink work great. Here's the trick: don't cast right into a school of fish or you'll spook them all. Instead, cast a few feet upstream and let your fly drift naturally into their zone. Patience pays off with these wary fish.
Salvelinus NamaycushLake Trout are Great Slave Lake's signature species and the reason most guests make the trip north. These deep-water giants average 8-15 pounds but trophy fish over 40 pounds swim these waters. They live in the coldest, deepest parts of the lake year-round, suspended over 100+ foot depths. Spring right after ice-out and fall are peak times when they move shallower to feed. Lakers are prized for their dogged fight and excellent eating - firm, flaky white meat that's perfect on the grill. We target them by jigging heavy spoons and swimbaits in 60-120 feet of water. The key is finding the thermocline where baitfish concentrate. Local secret: when jigging, lift your rod tip sharp then let the lure flutter down on slack line. That erratic fall drives them crazy and triggers the most strikes.
Esox LuciusNorthern Pike are aggressive predators that'll give you a real fight on Great Slave Lake. These "freshwater sharks" average 2-3 feet and pack serious muscle with razor-sharp teeth. They love shallow, weedy bays and drop-offs where they ambush prey like yellow perch and suckers. Pike hunt year-round but are most active in cooler water during spring and fall. What makes them special is their explosive strike and stubborn fight - they'll test your drag and try every trick to shake the hook. The meat's decent too, though bony. Here's a local tip: when you feel that first hit, don't set the hook right away. Pike often grab prey sideways first, so give them a few seconds to turn it and swallow before you set. Use a steel leader - those teeth will cut through mono like butter.
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