To understand the unique appeal of fishing in the Northwest Territories—particularly for women—you only need to meet two lifelong anglers who turned their passion into a way of life. Both grew up with a rod in hand and now run remote lodges where they inspire and guide others, sharing not just the joy of the catch, but the deeper connection to nature that fishing in the North brings.

Ask Amanda Peterson to describe fishing in the NWT, and she doesn’t hesitate: “Exhilarating!”

Amanda, a trolling or flat-line fisher woman who grew up in the territory, now helps run her family’s business, Peterson’s Point Lake Lodge. She started fishing when she was barely old enough to hold a rod.

“It’s extremely relaxing, but at the same time, it gets the adrenaline pumping,” she says. “You get a tug on the line and it’s a shaker…”

Whether it ends in a delicious shore lunch or simply in the shared thrill of someone else in the boat landing a big one, Amanda says fishing in the NWT is full of connection and excitement: “There’s a camaraderie building.”

For Edie Dul, fishing in the Northwest Territories feels like something even greater: “Heaven.”

“It’s the excitement of the catch—and even more so, the successful release of the fish. I also love being out on the water,” says Edie, who moved from Alberta to run Hearne Lake Lodge with her husband.

A lifelong angler, Edie says fly fishing is her favourite method now—though she also enjoys trolling, spin casting, and ice fishing.

Stories of the fish they’ve caught—and the ones that got away—are now part of their personal lore.

“We were fishing further north and had been catching Lake Trout all day,” Edie recalls. “My husband asked if I was ready to head back for food. As usual, I said, ‘One more cast’—and that’s when I hooked into a 40-pound (18-kilogram) Lake Trout.”

Amanda remembers her own epic fish tale—an enormous Lake Trout,  a real “jumbo” as it’s also called in the NWT, that tugged her line for three hours before slipping away. “It’s a lot of fun to catch fish here because they’re often right on the surface. It’s a totally different experience than fishing southern lakes.” Thanks to cooler temperatures, fish burn less energy, which slows down their metabolism. This can cause them to grow big, really big, hence the name “jumbo”. But when late-spring, early-summer roll in, the fish get frisky. They need more oxygen, burn through energy faster, and get fiercely hungry. That’s when they start feeding near the surface, making them prime targets for anglers.Every fish has its comfort zone for water temperature, and Trout are right at home in the crystal clear waters of the NWT.

And even when the fish aren’t biting, there’s plenty to take in: tranquil waters, wide sandy beaches, long sunlit days,unforgettable landscapes, and the chance to spot wildlife like muskox or migrating caribou. Fishing, Amanda says, is just one part of the wider connection to nature that draws people to the North.

While recreational fishing has traditionally been seen as a sport more popular among men, that’s changing. “As women branch out from traditional roles, they’re getting more involved in activities and sports that were once seen as male-dominated,” she explains. “You see more women on social media as professional guides, and that kind of representation matters. As a tourism industry, we could do better at introducing these sports earlier and giving young women equal opportunities.”

Amanda believes that starting young helps build not just fishing skills but also an understanding of the environment. “Fishing goes hand in hand with conservation—keeping our waterways clean and thinking about what’s on our plates.”

Edie agrees, and she’s had the pleasure of teaching many women how to fly fish for the first time. Her advice? Don’t stress about technique—just get your line in the water and have fun.

For women curious about fishing in the NWT, Edie recommends researching fish species and regional hot spots, interviewing lodge hosts, and asking about the best times of year to go. Having a knowledgeable guide can be key to a rewarding experience.

Day-fishing tours run out of Yellowknife and other communities, while remote fishing lodges—often just a short floatplane ride away—provide cozy accommodations, delicious chef-prepared meals, and expert guidance. Many lodges also offer additional programs such as nature walks, photography workshops, Aurora viewing, or hiking, allowing you to enjoy the North in more than one way.

Whether you’re landing your first Trout, soaking in the Midnight Sun, or bonding over stories back at the lodge, fishing in the NWT offers more than just a great catch—it’s an unforgettable experience that welcomes everyone, especially women, to explore the thrill of the North.

Ready to cast your own line into adventure? Whether you’re a seasoned angler or just starting out, the Northwest Territories offers unforgettable fishing experiences for everyone—especially women looking to break tradition and make their own mark on the water.

Watch the video to see what makes fishing in the NWT truly spectacular!