Great Bear Lake

Sahtu, the Dene name for Great Bear Lake, means “bear waters” and might refer to the presence of the barrenland grizzlies on the lake’s eastern shores. Covering 31,400 square kilometres and reaching depths of 440 metres, it is the largest lake entirely within Canada and one of the world’s largest freshwater lakes.

For generations, Great Bear Lake has been celebrated as one of North America’s best trophy fishing destinations. The lake’s fishing lodges continue to reel in some of the largest Lake Trout ever recorded, drawing anglers from around the world in pursuit of these remarkable fish.

The monsters go back in the lake these days, under catch-and-release practices that prevail in the Northwest Territories, with only a few fish harvested for consumption each year.

In 2009 two peninsulas on Great Bear Lake, covering 5,565 square kilometers, were designated as a National Historic Site. The peninsulas – called Saoyú  (saw-you-eh or “grizzly bear mountain”) and  ʔehdacho (aa-daa-cho or “scented grass hills”) hold profound cultural and spiritual importance for the Sahtugot’ine (the people of the Sahtu). The landmark agreement, between Parks Canada and the community of Délįne ensure the area’s natural beauty and rich Indigenous heritage are preserved and protected to shared with future generations.