• Daily Catch Limit (DCL) is the number of fish of each species that a person may catch and retain in a 24 hour period (from one midnight to the next midnight).
• Possession Limit (PL) is the total number of fish of each species that a person is entitled to possess at any time. This includes fish kept at a person’s residence as well.
• These limits apply to individuals only.
• Group fishing is NOT permitted – each person must have their own sport fishing licence.
• Unless otherwise specified, a tributary includes the entire stream or river which flows into a larger body of water.
• Click here to see waters closed to sport fishing, seasonally or year-round, and other management areas.
• Fork length measure from the tip of the snout to the fork of the tail (see image below).

Arctic Char

Salvelinus alpinus

Arctic char have a dark green back that shades to silvery sides with eye-sized pale white/pink spots without halos. There are no spots on the tail. At spawning time the colours of both sexes become more brilliant, particularly in the male, which turns a vivid orange-red. The males also develop a protruding, hooked lower jaw.

Arctic Grayling

Thymallus arcticus

The Arctic grayling, also known as the bluefish, is a beautiful game fish with dark blue, pink and purple tones that have an iridescent sheen. A striking feature is the sail-like dorsal fin, which is especially pronounced in males.

Bull Trout

Salvelinus confluentus

The back and upper sides of the bull trout range from dark blue to olive green, with the lower sides being paler in colour. Small yellow, orange or red spots mark the back and sides. Some spawning males develop bright red bellies and hooked lower jaws. Bull trout and dolly varden are very similar in colouration and are difficult to tell apart, especially smaller individuals. Bull trout, however, have a larger, broader, flatter head with eyes close to the top of the head and a more rounded body. Western Arctic populations of Bull Trout are listed as a Species of Special Concern under Canada’s Species at Risk Act.

Burbot

Lota lota

Burbot, commonly known as loche, cod or mariah in the NWT, have distinctive features, including an oval shaped tail and a barbel under the chin. A master of camouflage, their colour can range from yellow, light brown, tan or olive to a medium/dark brown-green shade to almost black depending on the clarity of the water.

Dolly Varden

Salvelinus malma

Anadromous (sea run) populations of Northern form, Dolly Varden, a species in the char family, can be found in small number of northern river systems in the NWT, Yukon and Alaska. In their non-spawning form they are silver with small pale pink/orange spots, and have an oval body with heads that do not dominate their profile. In their spawning form the males develop a kype (hooked lower jaw), bright red-orange spots, with a brown-black dorsal surface and bright orange-red ventral colouration. Females develop similar colouration but to a lesser extent. Western Arctic populations of Dolly Varden are listed as a Species of Special Concern under Canada’s Species at Risk Act.

Inconnu

Stenodus leucichthys

Inconnu, commonly called coney in the NWT, somewhat resembles a very large herring with dark back, silvery sides and large scales. A mature coney can range from a half meter to over a meter in length. Inconnu is a member of the whitefish family.

Lake Trout

Salvelinus namaycush

Lake trout range from light green or gray to dark green, brown or almost black with a light coloured belly. Their whole body, including the dorsal, adipose and tail fins are covered with many light coloured spots.

Northern Pike

Esox lucius

Also known as jackfish, pike have long bodies with dark green to brown colouration along their back. The sides are lighter with irregular rows of yellow to whitish bean-shaped spots which run lengthwise on the body. The dorsal or back fin is near the tail end of the body.

Walleye

Stizostedion vitreum vitreum

Also known as pickerel or doré, the walleye is a member of the perch family. They have sharp teeth and two dorsal fins on their back, the front one supported by large, sharp spines. They vary in colour from olive-brown to golden brown to yellow with golden flecks on the scales and a white belly. Their large, silvery eyes are very distinctive.

Lake Whitefish

Coregonus clupeaformis

Lake whitefish have narrow silvery bodies which may shade to olive-brown or to almost black along the back depending on water clarity. The snout overhangs the lower jaw; the head may appear small in larger fish which may develop a distinct hump behind the head.

Traits vary slightly among different species of whitefish.

Other Species