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Sport fishing in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region
Fish have always been at the heart of Inuvialuit life. Here is what you need before you fish, and who to talk to.
Photo: Matti&Keti, CC BY-SA 4.0, credits
Before you fish
Arctic char, Dolly Varden, broad and lake whitefish, Arctic cisco, lake trout, burbot (loche) and inconnu (coney) remain important in Inuvialuit subsistence harvests. Fish camps still line the riverbanks and lakeshores of the ISR. When the Inuvialuit negotiated the Inuvialuit Final Agreement, they made sure the region's fisheries would be managed properly. Managing sport fishing is one part of that.
- LicenceHold a valid GNWT Sport Fishing Licence. This applies to everyone, including people under 16 and 65 or older.
- ValidateHave the licence validated for the ISR. It is free from any licence vendor or ECC Wildlife and Forestry office, and online when you buy your licence. It expires with the licence.
- RegisterRegister your plans with the local HTC or with the FJMC. Required for Inuvialuit private lands, strongly encouraged everywhere else.
- ReportReport what you catch. The FJMC may contact you later to ask.
Register about a month before your trip. That gives the Hunters and Trappers Committee time to review your plans at its monthly board meeting, and to tell you about any lakes or rivers that are sensitive.
Inuvialuit private lands
With the signing of the Inuvialuit Final Agreement, the Inuvialuit became one of the largest private landowners in Canada. The IFA called for the FJMC to set up and keep a public registration system for fishing in waters on Inuvialuit private lands, known as 7(1)(a) and 7(1)(b) lands.
Entry onto 7(1)(a) lands
Under federal law, entry onto 7(1)(a) lands for fishing is granted at the sole discretion of the Inuvialuit. Fishing there without registering could be considered trespassing on private lands.
The FJMC would prefer that you register at the local HTC office, in person. When that is not possible, register with the FJMC instead.
Map of Inuvialuit private lands (image on fjmc.ca)
Closed and restricted waters
Some fisheries in the ISR need special care. HTCs and the FJMC have asked for these restrictions on top of the NWT sport fishing regulations. Barbless hooks are mandatory under NWT rules.
- Closed
The Big Fish River and its tributaries.
- Catch and release
The Hornaday River and its tributaries, including Uyarsivik Lake, for Arctic char.
- Catch and release
Waters within 500 metres of the Inuvik-to-Tuktoyaktuk Highway centreline, for Arctic grayling, burbot, inconnu, lake trout, northern pike, walleye, lake whitefish and cisco.
- Not encouraged
The Kuujjua (Kuukyuak) River system from its mouth, up to and including Fish Lakes.
- Not encouraged
The Hornaday River and its tributaries, including upstream of La Ronciere Falls.
- Not encouraged
Husky Lakes (Imaryuk) and waters within 10 km of the highway centreline, 10 April to 1 June and 15 August to 15 October. Outside those dates, catch and release is suggested.
Along the highway, Imaryuk Monitors help people follow the community fishing plan. You will know them by their badge and uniform. The communities also ask anglers to follow voluntary guidelines PDF.
Areas and offices
The registry divides the ISR into ten areas. Each has offices that review fishing plans for it.
Banks Island (Sachs Harbour area)
Banks Island, excluding Aulavik National Park.
- No special restrictions listed. NWT regulations apply.
Offices: Sachs Harbour Hunters and Trappers Committee, and the FJMC.
Mackenzie Delta
The Mackenzie River delta within the ISR.
- No special restrictions listed. NWT regulations apply.
Offices: Inuvik Hunters and Trappers Committee, Aklavik Hunters and Trappers Committee, and the FJMC.
Sitidgi Lake area
The area around Sitidgi Lake within the ISR.
- No special restrictions listed. NWT regulations apply.
Offices: Inuvik Hunters and Trappers Committee, and the FJMC.
Victoria Island (Ulukhaktok area)
The part of Victoria Island within the ISR and the Northwest Territories.
- Not encouraged The Kuujjua (Kuukyuak) River system, from its mouth up to and including Fish Lakes.
Offices: Olokhaktomiut Hunters and Trappers Committee, and the FJMC.
West of the Mackenzie Delta
West of the Mackenzie Delta and east of Ivvavik National Park.
- Closed The Big Fish River and its tributaries.
Offices: Aklavik Hunters and Trappers Committee, and the FJMC.
Cape Bathurst and Anderson River
Cape Bathurst and the Anderson River, west to Husky Lakes and Sitidgi Lake, east to Franklin Bay.
- No special restrictions listed. NWT regulations apply.
Offices: Tuktoyaktuk Community Corporation, Paulatuk Hunters and Trappers Committee, Tuktoyaktuk Hunters and Trappers Committee, and the FJMC.
Tuktoyaktuk Peninsula
The Tuktoyaktuk Peninsula east of the community of Tuktoyaktuk.
- No special restrictions listed. NWT regulations apply.
Offices: Tuktoyaktuk Community Corporation, Tuktoyaktuk Hunters and Trappers Committee, and the FJMC.
Husky Lakes (Imaryuk)
Husky Lakes and the land next to them.
- Not encouraged Husky Lakes, 10 April to 1 June and 15 August to 15 October. Outside those dates, catch and release is suggested.
- HTC position The Tuktoyaktuk HTC has said it opposes sport fishing at Husky Lakes.
Offices: Tuktoyaktuk Community Corporation, Inuvik Hunters and Trappers Committee, Tuktoyaktuk Hunters and Trappers Committee, and the FJMC.
Paulatuk area
Around Paulatuk, excluding Tuktut Nogait National Park.
- Catch and release Arctic char in the Hornaday River and its tributaries, including Uyarsivik Lake and upstream of La Ronciere Falls.
- HTC position The Paulatuk HTC has said it strongly opposes all sport fishing in the Hornaday River.
Offices: Paulatuk Hunters and Trappers Committee, and the FJMC.
Inuvik-to-Tuktoyaktuk Highway
Along the highway, not including Husky Lakes and the land next to them.
- Catch and release Within 500 m of the highway centreline: Arctic grayling, burbot, inconnu, lake trout, northern pike, walleye, lake whitefish and cisco.
- Not encouraged Within 10 km of the highway, 10 April to 1 June and 15 August to 15 October. Outside those dates, catch and release is suggested.
- HTC position The Tuktoyaktuk HTC has said it opposes sport fishing along the highway.
Offices: Tuktoyaktuk Community Corporation, Inuvik Hunters and Trappers Committee, Tuktoyaktuk Hunters and Trappers Committee, and the FJMC.
Hunters and Trappers Committees
Each community's HTC can tell you about the waters you plan to fish. The FJMC strongly encourages you to register with them in person.
| Committee | Phone | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Aklavik Hunters and Trappers Committee Aktlarvik | Box 133, Aklavik, NT X0E 0A0 | (867) 978-2723 Fax (867) 978-2627 | aklavikahtc@gmail.com |
| Inuvik Hunters and Trappers Committee Inuuvik | Box 1720, Inuvik, NT X0E 0T0 | (867) 777-3671 Fax (867) 777-2478 | inuvikhtc@hotmail.com |
| Olokhaktomiut Hunters and Trappers Committee Ulukhaktuuq | Box 161, Ulukhaktok, NT X0E 0S0 | (867) 396-4808 Fax (867) 396-3025 | ohtc2015@outlook.com |
| Paulatuk Hunters and Trappers Committee Paulatuuq | Box 94, Paulatuk, NT X0E 1N0 | (867) 580-3004 Fax (867) 580-3404 | paulatukhtc@gmail.com |
| Sachs Harbour Hunters and Trappers Committee Ikaahuk | Box 79, Sachs Harbour, NT X0E 0Z0 | (867) 690-3028 Fax (867) 690-4905 | shtcresperson@yahoo.ca |
| Tuktoyaktuk Hunters and Trappers Committee Tuktuuyaqtuuq | Box 286, Tuktoyaktuk, NT X0E 1C0 | (867) 340-0057 Fax (867) 977-2433 | tuk.htc@outlook.com |