Fishing
Arctic char fishing with a guide
Arctic char live at the top of the map, in clear rivers and cold lakes where few people ever fish. Getting there takes planning, and a northern guide or lodge handles most of it. Here is what an Arctic char trip looks like.
Fishing the far north
Arctic char are found across Canada's North, including Nunavut, Nunavik in northern Québec, Labrador and parts of the Northwest Territories. Many populations are sea-run: they feed in salt water during the short summer and return to rivers and lakes, often in bright spawning colours.
Most trips are built around a fly-in lodge or camp. You fly to a northern community, then on to camp by small plane or boat. Days are spent at river mouths, rapids and lake outlets, casting spoons, spinners or flies to fish that can be strong and acrobatic.
Long summer daylight means you can fish late into the evening. Weather rules everything, and flights can be delayed by fog or wind.
Why a guide or lodge is the way to go
These are remote places with no roads, cold water and changing weather. A lodge provides the logistics, the boats, the safety equipment and local knowledge you cannot build on your own.
Many northern guides are Inuit or Innu who know the land and the char runs intimately. Their knowledge of tides, river crossings and wildlife such as polar bears in some areas is part of what makes the trip safe.
What is usually included
Northern trips are usually all-inclusive packages, but details vary. Read the offer for items like these:
- Charter flight or transfer from a northern hub to camp
- Lodging in a lodge, cabins or tent camp
- Meals for the length of the stay
- Guided fishing by boat and on foot
- Boats, motors and safety gear
- Fish care and packing for the trip home where allowed
Choosing a guide and what to ask
Ask exactly what the price covers, from which city the trip starts, what happens if weather delays a flight, and the weight limit for luggage on small planes. Ask whether the lodge also offers lake trout or brook trout fishing.
Licences, non-resident rules and limits for Arctic char vary by territory, province and year, and some waters have local rules. Check the official regulations and ask the lodge to confirm what you need.
Use GuideHunter to filter by Arctic char and see which northern outfitters have listed offers, then contact them directly.
What to bring
Warm, waterproof layers even in midsummer, a toque, gloves, a head net for insects, polarized sunglasses and sturdy boots or waders. Pack light, follow the lodge's luggage limit and bring any medication you need, since there is no pharmacy at camp.
Frequently asked questions
When is Arctic char season?
Most guided trips run during the short northern summer, when char move between rivers and the sea. Exact timing depends on the region, so ask the lodge when its best weeks are.
Is an Arctic char trip expensive?
Northern trips usually cost more than southern fishing because of flights and remote logistics. Prices vary by outfitter, so compare what each package includes before you decide.
Is Arctic char related to brook trout?
Yes, both belong to the char family, along with lake trout. Arctic char live farther north and many populations migrate to the sea, which brook trout rarely do.