Fishing Licences

Visitors and residents over the age of 16 and under 65 require Northwest Territories fishing licences, available by mail, from government offices or at lodges and convenience stores across the territory. There are two types of licences – one valid for three days from date of purchase, and one for the season.

Canadian visitors can purchase a seasonal visitor's licence for $20, or a three day licence for $15. Non-residents of Canada pay $40 for a seasonal licence, $30 for a three day licence.

Catch limits are supplied with the purchase of a licence. You must carry your licence at all times while fishing and produce it when asked by a fisheries officer.

Management Areas

Sport fishing licences are valid for fishing in most areas of the Northwest Territories with the following exceptions: Inuvialuit Settlement Region, Gwich'in Settlement Region, Sahtu Settlement Region, where a valid fishing licence and special permission may be required on certain private lands. Your guide will be aware of the regulations.

There are fisheries management areas on Great Bear Lake, at the Mackenzie River headwaters and on the East Arm of Great Slave Lake, where all ages are required to have a fishing licence and a special management area licence.

A National Parks fishing licence is required in National Parks.