Let us start this article out by saying that this trip had been a long time coming. Yes, we get to encounter some pretty amazing destinations across Canada but, every now and then, we’ll hit one that just blows us away. And this location is one of those places… The Northwest Territories. We haven’t been there in a long time, but all that was about to change as we teamed up with the folks at NWT Tourism and then showed the world why this place is considered fishing nirvana.
No wonder it’s referred to as Spectacular NWT.
Home base for this episode was an “oasis” called Brabant Lodge nestled on a tiny, fantasy island at the mouth of the Mackenzie River, the largest river in Canada. From here, at the bottom end of Great Slave Lake, it flows over 1000 miles northwest before dumping into the Arctic Ocean.
As you can imagine, the journey is definitely a big part of this amazing adventure. A few flights, an overnighter in YellowKnife, and then jump on a float plane in Hay River.
When we looked out of the Hay River air base and saw this we said, “no way, that’s our plane, so awesome!”
Normally trips to this part of the fishing world are filled with catches of giant Lake Trout. Here 30’s, 40’s, 50’s and even 60-pounders are realistic expectations. But, lurking at the bottom end of Great Slave, in the Mackenzie delta, is another heavyweight contender who’s been hiding in the shadows. ESOX LUCIUS, the Northern Pike. This trip was about going mano a mano with monstrous NWT northerns!
The plan was to search for fish that are migrating from their spring spawning grounds on the Mackenzie back to Great Slave.
And, according to Owner/Guide Peter Fox, our timing couldn’t have been better as the trophy Northerns were in full post-spawn mode, meaning the only thing on their minds was eating as they made their way back to the lake… that’s a good thing.
THE MACKENZIE RIVER
The Mackenzie River is the largest river in Canada, and second largest in North America. Only the Mississippi River tops the Mackenzie River. Brabant Lodge fishes over 100 square miles of this, the greatest Canadian river, which is over 6 miles wide at its widest point.
THE FISHING
Can you imagine fish like this one in high numbers… well it’s true!
Now when we normally arrive at most fishing locations on our Fish’n Canada shoots, it usually takes us a bit of time to figure things out. But here… it was on immediately… literally on our first two casts… a Pike and an Inconnu… or what it’s often referred to, a Sheefish.
Although the Pike didn’t break any records, the Inconnu was such a great surprise. Pete got another species checked off his list, (he’s never even seen one before this) and as Ang mentioned, the show FINALLY put another Sheefish on camera… probably close to 30-ish years… man that’s a long time between catches!
Obviously a good sign.
The plan was to work north towards Great Slave, using the current and wind to ease the boat along.
Check this beast Pete incidentally caught while Walleye fishing with light spinning gear.
Eventually, Ang and Pete figured the Pike out. They were relating to a quick drop-off that breaks from a shallow flat, and drops into 6-8 feet of water. Although it wasn’t a drastic depth change, it was enough to hold giants… and pretty much textbook for post-spawn Pike!
For this shoot, Ang and Pete armed themselves with Yo-Zuri 3D Inshore Twitchbaits (a bigger beefed up version of the 3DB, find a link in the HotSpot section below) and Hardcore Flatside Minnow 130mm Suspending Jerkbaits. It doesn’t seem to matter what time of year it is, if you can get that bait to suspend in front of an inquisitive Pike, there’s a good chance they’re gonna’ smash it!
Pete describes how Ang’s Pike attacked his Twitchbait
And smash it they did.
“This is exactly what we dreamed about before this trip materialized,” says Ang “catching big, post-spawn Pike on Yo-Zuri hardbaits. We couldn’t have scripted this any better”.
“We’re not exactly sure how many Northerns we caught on this trip,” continues Pete “but let’s just say it was constant from first to last cast. Such an incredible Pike fishery!”
An interesting note here, if you’re staying at the lodge and just want to head out for a few hours to catch lots of fish and not worry about the size of the Pike, the guides will gladly scoot you out to a nearby slack-water area. We tried this the first evening and caught so many Pike so quickly that we lost count after the first ½ hour!
WALLEYE TOO
Bait size didn’t seem to matter to the Walleye or the Pike… as they not too often say, “the bigger the better”!
If gigantic Northern Pike aren’t enough to keep you going for a multi-day fishing trip, then how’s the addition of Walleye? As crazy as it sounds for being this far north and west, the Mackenzie River has a healthy population of one of Canada’s most popular fish species. And the bonus is, they’re nice sized too! We didn’t encounter any giants however, the average size was incredible and hard to beat anywhere else we’ve ever fished.
Our best Walleye deal was casting Yo-Zuri and Hardcore suspending minnowbaits as well as Yo-Zuri crankbaits. Since there’s a constant current on the river, the Walleye have found a few “hiding places” in where there’s a break in said current. When you find em’… oh it’s on baby!
Pete and Ang caught lots of Walleye during this NWT adventure. They call it a bonus to the package.
OTHER SPECIES
As we mentioned at the top of this article, there are also Inconnu that swim these waters, a rare fish species that not many people have seen. There’s a good chance that guests at the lodge will either see or hear of a “Sheefish” throughout their trip.
Outdoor Journal Radio Podcast engineer and future Fish’n Canada host Dean Taylor holds up a rare Inconnu (Sheefish)
And finally, there is also a great Arctic Grayling fishery not far from the lodge. A quick hop into the boat, a ride downriver, and around the corner puts you right onto a bunch of gorgeous Grayling that put up an amazing fight for their size.
Arctic Grayling can be caught after supper on a unique evening outing. For more Fish’n Canada Grayling action, go here
BRABANT LODGE
As we stated above, Brabant Lodge was our ultimate destination for this shoot. It’s a family-owned and run business and man do they do it well!
Brabant Lodge offers a premium all-inclusive experience, offering 12-hours daily fishing, fully guided, included in your trip price – there is no extra cost for fishing after dinner at our NWT fishing lodge.
They offer a complimentary bar in the main lodge, standard queen-size beds in every cabin, Starlink Wi-Fi, hot and cold running water, and full power connections in every cabin. Your comfort and enjoyment of their NWT lodge is our top priority.
Premium boats and motors await you. All of their boats are equipped with Garmin Force Trolling motors (a first for us at a lodge), XL landing nets, accurate scales for weighing fish, IGFA-certified measuring boards, and all the necessary safety equipment you’ll need to enjoy every single moment of time on the water at Brabant Lodge.
The food here is fantastic, with their expert chef informing the guests before dinner as to what’s on the menu. And for those with special requirements, they gladly cater to you.
Ceviche Walleye as an appetizer… Come on now, does it get any better than that?
GETTIN’ THERE
To get to this article’s amazing Pike fishing, we first flew from Toronto to Yellowknife, in the Northwest Territories. After spending the night there, we took a short flight to the town of Hay River where we boarded a float plane which took us to Brabant Lodge situated on the headwaters of the Mackenzie River.
When booking an exotic “once in a lifetime” fishing lodge trip, remember, the more out of the way the destination is, the more travel elements you’ll encounter. It’s a small price to pay for such outstanding fishing, accommodations, and service.
Although we concentrated on Northern Pike, there’re also Walleye, Arctic Grayling, Lake Trout, and Inconnu swimming in the waters of the Mackenzie.
As you can tell, it’s all there, you just need to show up and be prepared!
This truly is a world-class fishing experience!
EPISODE HOTSPOT
This Fish’n Canada Hotspot is one of the many monster Pike holding areas that are accessed through Brabant Lodge on the Mackenzie River in the Northwest Territories.
We primarily used 2 bait styles that both work with the same presentation.
Yo-Zuri Twitchbaits and Jerkbaits were the deal for us… and the bigger the better! We constantly changed bait colours throughout the day and it seemed to make a difference.
By shooting our LiveScope beam forward, we could hold the boat about 40 feet from the breakline. We would then cast up towards the shallower portion, and work our baits out to deeper water.
This is a perfect example of using Garmin’s LiveScope technology to look for structure, knowing that the fish will be there.
Every now and then, we’d do the exact opposite, casting deep and retrieving towards the shallows, and that too produced the odd giant.
Baitcasting rods and reels, wire leaders, and “at least” 50 lb test braided lines are a must in this situation… Don’t come here unarmed!
Depth: 4-8’
Baits: Big Yo-Zuri Twitch Baits & Jerk Baits
Presentation: Casting
A Yo-Zuri 3D Inshore Twitchbait on the top, and a Hardcore 130 Flat Minnow on the bottom. They both worked phenomenally on this trip.
A leader is essential here, and a “Peter Leader” is about as good as you can get. They’re available at the lodge.
For the GPS coordinates to this HotSpot and so many more, go to our Fish’n Canada HotSpots Page
HAY RIVER
If you get a chance, you should take a quick tour around the town of Hay River. It’s referred to as “The Hub Of The North”. This is the last stop before flying to Brabant Lodge. It’s located on the south shore of Great Slave Lake, at the mouth of the Hay River (body of water). The town is separated into two sections, the new town and the old town. Fishing is very much a way of life for the locals here.
Hay River is one of the larger towns in the Northwest Territories with a population of almost 4,000 people. As for accommodations there are hotels, B&Bs, and the Hay River Territorial Park campground.
Whitefish is a local specialty and Fishermans’ Wharf (open on Saturdays in the summer) is “the spot” for fish and chips. If you want a sit-down dinner, go to the Keys Dining room at the Ptarmigan Inn.
There’s a fantastic 9-hole golf course nearby and the beautiful Alexandra Falls if you want to do some sight seeing.
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORIES
Aurora Borealis AKA The Northern Lights
Seeing Northern Lights in the Northwest Territories is a different experience from seeing them anywhere else. There, the Northern Lights are the strongest in the world – the colours are brighter, the displays last longer, the movements are more elaborate – all of this creates a world of spectacular dances performed right above them almost every night.
There’s no better place to see the best Aurora in the world than the Northwest Territories.
The Fishing
Fishing lodges in the Northwest Territories offer unique experiences tailored to anglers and outdoor enthusiasts seeking adventure in the pristine wilderness of Canada’s north. Here’s what you can expect:
Remote Location and Stunning Scenery: Lodges are often situated on or near large, remote lakes and rivers, surrounded by untouched boreal forests and tundra.
Stunning views of water, mountains, and wildlife create an immersive natural experience.
Many lodges are accessible only by floatplane, boat, or helicopter.
Fishing Opportunities: World-class fishing for species like lake trout, northern pike, Arctic grayling, walleye, and whitefish.
Access to remote fishing spots with guides or self-guided options.
There are definitely Fly-fishing opportunities available as well.
The lodges normally provide boats, tackle, and other gear.
Comfortable Accommodations: Accommodations range from rustic cabins to luxury lodges with modern amenities. Expect private or shared cabins with heating, beds, and sometimes en-suite bathrooms. Central lodge areas often serve as dining and relaxation hubs, with fireplaces and panoramic windows.
Fishing Guides: Knowledgeable guides are always there to lead fishing excursions and share insights into the area’s wildlife, geography, and culture. Packages may include fully guided or semi-guided fishing trips depending on the lodge.
Preparation and Practicalities: Expect rustic charm and remote living, communication and internet access may be limited.
Pack appropriately for the weather, which can be unpredictable, even in summer. Bring personal gear like layers of clothing, and waterproof items. Most lodges sell fishing licenses but make sure before you leave.
A fishing lodge in the NWT offers a mix of adventure, comfort, and serenity, making it an unforgettable experience for anglers and nature lovers alike.
Hunting
The NWT is rich in wildlife, providing opportunities to hunt a variety of species depending on the season, location, and permits.
Big Game like Moose, caribou (including barren-ground and woodland caribou), muskox, Dall sheep, mountain goats, and black bears all live in this rugged region.
Small Game like Arctic fox, ptarmigan, and hares are available for hunting in some areas and finally there is also hunting for ducks and geese which are also common in certain regions.
The terrain varies widely from boreal forests and tundra to the mountainous regions of the Mackenzie Range. Expect breathtaking views of pristine lakes, rivers, and vast wilderness.
The weather can be unpredictable with snow and freezing temperatures even in early fall.
Most hunting areas are remote and accessible only by bush plane, boat, snowmobile, or ATV.
Camps are typically basic, often consisting of wall tents or cabins.
You’ll likely encounter no cell service or modern amenities, offering a true off-the-grid experience.
If you’re not a resident, you’ll need a licensed outfitter and guide for most big game hunts. They provide logistical support, local knowledge, and equipment.
Outfitters often include transportation, camp setup, and sometimes meals in their packages.
Similar to its fishing, the Northwest Territories hunting opportunities are truly second to none!
CONCLUSION
Pete closed out this episode by saying the following: “Honestly, does it get any better than this? Because if so, you need to tell us where”.
“For now,” he continues, “we’re gonna go with it absolutely does not get any better than this”.
As lodge owner Peter Fox says time & time again, “There’s nowhere like Brabant Lodge!”
