Colville Lake

Welcome to one of the smallest, and most peaceful, communities in the Northwest Territories. Only 160 inhabit this hamlet that sits 50-80 kilometres above the Arctic Circle. A visit here presents an ideal opportunity to relax and connect with the land.

Colville Lake is the home of the Harsekin Dene, who have traditionally called this area K’áhbamítúé (“ptarmigan net place”). Traditional lifestyles of fishing, hunting and trapping are alive and well here. Visitors can cast a line in the community's namesake lake to reel in stunning Arctic Grayling, gigantic Lake Trout, or wrestle with a monster Northern Pike. All of these lively fish thrive in the icy waters of Colville’s Arctic lake. 

Colville Lake was also the home of Oblate priest, painter and bush pilot Bern Will Brown, who came north from the United States in 1948. Brown built the community’s Our Lady of Snows Catholic Mission, now a popular museum filled with local artefacts. He also painted the gorgeous northern-themed Stations of the Cross murals inside the church.

Visitors can take in the tranquil beauty of Colville Lake via flights from Norman Wells or the winter ice road from Fort Good Hope.