Best Spots for Boating in the Northwest Territories

If you’re going boating in the Northwest Territories, The Mackenzie River is a must-see.  The longest river system in Canada and flows through a vast, largely unpopulated region of forest and tundra. It is entirely contained within the Northwest Territories, although its tributaries reach four other provinces and territories.

In history, the river was traveled by First Nations, explorers, fur traders, missionaries, and adventurers. It is a site for boating adventurers today.

The River passes through the Dehcho Region, by the communities of Fort Providence, Jean Marie River, Fort Simpson, and Wrigley. The river continues through the Sahtu region, where you can visit the communities of Tulita, Norman Wells, and Fort Good Hope. You can also visit the communities of Tsiigehtchic and Inuvik in the Gwich’in Region. From there, you can continue through the Inuvialuit Region to the Arctic Ocean and Tuktoyaktuk.

The river is some 1,700 kilometres long and flows north-northwest from Great Slave Lake into the Arctic Ocean.

After Great Bear Lake, Great Slave Lake is the second-largest lake in the Northwest Territories. It is the deepest lake in North America at 614 metres deep, and it’s the 10th largest lake in the world. The lake is 469 kilometres long, 203 kilometres wide, and covers an area of 27,200 kilometres squared — meaning, there’s plenty of room for boating!

Towns situated on the lake include Fort Resolution, Yellowknife, Hay River, Behchokǫ̀, Łutselk’e, Dettah, Hay River Reserve, and Ndilǫ. Łutselk’e is the only community in the East Arm. It’s a hamlet of about 350 people. They are largely Chipewyan Indigenous peoples of the Dene Nation.

You may also hear of the now abandoned winter camp/Hudson’s Bay Company post, Fort Reliance. Along the south shore, east of Hay River, you can find the company town of Pine Point and the abandoned Pine Point Mine and.

The largest developed park on the Ingraham Trail — Prelude Lake — offers a variety of facilities. There is a sandy beach for swimming, a dock and boat launch, and boat rentals.

There are also two trails. One is a short stroll to a panoramic view, and one is a longer, interpretive hike. Panoramic Trail offers an easy, well-marked half-kilometer walk, much of it on boardwalks. It leads to two lookout points that provide splendid views of Prelude Lake. You can access the trail either from the boat launch parking area near the beach or from the parking lot located between the boat launch and the campsites.

The Nature Trail forms a loop, passing through several natural zones that vary from loose sand to bedrock to muskeg and swamp, with an equally varied array of inhabitants. Follow a series of informative signs along the way, with pictures of some of the creatures that you may see. These include squirrels, ruffed grouse, whiskey jacks, snowshoe hares, and crossbills.

Nature trail is fun for both kids and adults alike. Prelude is a popular vacation area for Yellowknife residents. The lake, about 16 km long, stretches east and west and forms part of the Cameron River system. There are several islands and many pleasant places to fish for trout and pike.

The Prosperous Lake Territorial Day Use Area in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada, in the Northern Frontier Region, is located east of the community of Yellowknife on the Ingraham Trail. The Ingraham Trail is a popular recreation highway leading to a vast network of lakes, rivers, waterfalls, and boat launches that are popular for adventure and recreation.

The Prosperous Lake Day Use Area on the Ingraham Trail is best known as a boat launch. A paved boat launch in good condition with a very long pier. The boat launch is used to access Prosperous Lake and the connecting chain of lakes. Prosperous Lake is very large, with most of it out of sight. The lake is one of many lakes on the Ingraham Trail and is popular for boating, canoeing, kayaking, and fishing.

There are many boat launches with access to different lakes on the Ingraham Trail route. Many come to fish for northern pike, arctic grayling, walleye, whitefish, and lake trout — making it a top spot for fishing and boating in the Northwest Territories. Please be reminded to pick up a fishing licence in Yellowknife, as a fishing licence is required to fish in the Northwest Territory, Canada.

From the boat launch on Prosperous Lake, canoe and kayak paddlers can access the last section of the Powder Point Paddle Route, which ends just downstream at the Yellowknife Bridge near Back Bay on Great Slave Lake.

Great Bear Lake is the largest lake entirely within Canadian boundaries (but not larger than Lake Superior and Lake Huron in size). It is the fourth-largest lake in North America. It is on the Arctic Circle, 512 feet above sea level.

The name comes from the Dënesųłiné word “satudene,” which means “grizzly bear water people,” named after the Sahtu Dene people.

Planning a fishing trip up north? Here are some spots to find arctic grayling, inconnu, lake trout, northern pike, walleye, and lake whitefish.

The Yellowknife River bridge on the Ingraham Trail offers a great opportunity for catching lake trout and pike. The spot features a day-use picnic site and a boat launch. You can also use the boat launch and cruise up the river.

Pontoon Lake on the Ingraham Trail is shallow and weedy in certain places. It is home to ducks, loons, terns, beavers, muskrats, and weasels.

Prelude Lake, about 29 km from Yellowknife on the Ingraham Trail. It is the site of a major campground, with picnic sites, scenic trails, and a boat launch. Anglers come to this lake in search of trout and pike due to its deep, cold water.

Walsh Lake is about 10 km from Yellowknife and half an hour by boat from the Vee Lake boat launch. It is a large, deep wilderness lake that can turn dangerous with a shift in the wind. Boaters will find pike and trout in these cold waters.

Stay Stay When Boating in the Northwest Territories

We hope you have many safe and fun adventures when boating in the Northwest Territories! Before you go, make sure you know how to stay safe when operating a boat. 

BOATsmart! offers an online boating education course for Canadian boaters. It’s a fun and informative way to learn crucial safety insights for recreational boating. Taking a course can help you protect yourself and others when boating or fishing this season. 

Published in November 2018. Content most recently reviewed and updated for relevancy and accuracy October 14, 2024.