Great Slave Lake: The Complete Guide
It is worth taking a trip to the Northwest Territories of Canada to visit the Great Slave Lake.
This huge body of water is the second largest lake entirely within Canadian borders, the fifth largest in North America, and the tenth-largest lake in the world by area.
The lake is also the deepest lake in North America, with a maximum depth of more than 2,000 feet (more than 615 meters).
There are two arms of the Great Slave Lake (the North and East arms) that extend from the lake and each offers something different.
The eastern arm is the more popular of the two and is known for its excellent fishing, as well as its beautiful red cliffs and wide islands.
The northern arm has sandy beaches and a wide variety of bird species.
If you are thinking of visiting Great Slave Lake, read everything you need to know about the history of the area, how to get there, where to stay, and what to see and do while there.
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Source: Audiopedia
History
For starters, when it comes to the name Great Slave Lake, the name "Slave" comes from "Slavey", a word that is sometimes applied to a large group of Dene people who are indigenous to the region.
According to history, the merchant of the Hudson's Bay Company, Samuel Hearne, is the first European to visit the lake in 1771.
But before European explorers entered the scene, two chipewyans, named Matonabbee and Idotlyazee, are known to have, created the first map of the Great Slave.
His drawing (dated 1767) shows an outline of the lake and its tributaries. Matonabbee was also Hearne's guide on his quest to find the lake.
In terms of how Yellowknife became a bustling city, it all comes down to prospector Johnny Baker, who discovered gold around the north shore of the lake in the mid-1930s.
Baker later found a vein filled with gold in Yellowknife Bay, something that triggered the Yellowknife Gold Rush, so mines began to appear, which in turn spawned the city of Yellowknife that we know today.
What to see and do
There are plenty of summer and winter activities to keep you busy in the Great Slave Lake region, making it an ideal destination for active travelers.
But there is also plenty to see and do in Yellowknife, the capital of the Northwest Territories, from historic architecture to a vibrant farmers market.
Fishing
Fishing enthusiasts will be delighted to visit Great Slave Lake. Many fish can be found here, including many trophy-sized trout.
The lake is clean and cool, which means that the fish stay close to the surface in summer.
Plus, 24-hour daylight means that anyone casting a line can fish for as long as they want.
And if he prefers to fish without having to fight for space between other ships, the size of the Great Slave Lake means that he can go days without seeing anyone else.
Visiting the Old Town of Yellowknife
Old Town Yellowknife is full of friendly people and unique sights.
The area is well worth spending time exploring, where you'll find cozy restaurants serving fresh, local fish, galleries filled with First Nations art, quirky log cabins, and colorful houseboats.
If you are interested in the history of Old Town, there are guides to historic sites available at the Northern Frontier Visitor Center.
Bonus: if you visit in the summer, there is a farmers market that runs on Tuesday nights from June to mid-September, where you can buy local produce and homemade produce.
Paddling
There are many opportunities to paddle Great Slave Lake when the lake is calm.
Choose from kayaking, canoeing, and paddling to explore the East Arm's many islands, crystal clear waters, and cliffs.
Being in the kayak or on a paddleboard also means you'll have panoramic views of communities like Yellowknife and Fort Resolution, so have your camera ready if you can.
Bird Watching
Due to the different depths of the lake's water and the climate and plant life in the area, there are many opportunities for excellent bird watching at Great Slave Lake.
For example, you can see eagles, swans, seagulls, terns, ducks, and geese.
The northern arm of the lake features swamps and small islands in spring, attracting more than 100,000 migratory waterfowl.
The eastern arm has rocky cliffs and islands, which attract eagles, swallows, and seagulls.
Winter Sports
Since there is ice at Great Slave Lake eight months out of the year, there are plenty of winter activities to choose from including dog sled rides, snowshoeing, ice fishing, snowmobiling, and cross-country skiing.
How to Get to the Great Slave Lake
Getting to the Northwest Territories can be done easily from major airports in southern and western Canada.
You can find daily jet service to Yellowknife from Calgary and Edmonton, as well as to Vancouver seasonally. Jet service is also available from Ottawa through Iqaluit, Nunavut.
Major airlines flying to Yellowknife from Edmonton and Calgary include WestJet and Air Canada and there are also direct flights from Whitehorse and Ottawa via Air North.
Where to Stay
Your best option is to locate in the capital Yellowknife, which is home to most of the population of the Northwest Territories.
You'll find a variety of lodging options, from hotels and motels to vacation rentals, cabins, inns, and even houseboats. In addition, Yellowknife is home to several restaurants to choose from, as well as being a good place to book guided tours related to the lake and its surroundings, whether you visit the area in the summer or winter months.
Tips for Visiting
- If you stay in Yellowknife, you will be in what is probably the best place in the world to see the Northern Lights (also known as the Northern Lights).
The best time of year to visit a spectacular event is from mid-November to early April, as well as late summer to early fall.
- In addition to Yellowknife, the shores of Great Slave Lake are also home to other communities, such as the Hay River, the historic Métis town of Fort Resolution, the traditional Łutsel K'e in scenic East Arm, and Behchokǫ̀ in the North Arm.
- Thaidene Nene (which means "Land of the Ancestors" in Chipewyan) is Canada's newest national park.
The park stretches from the east arm of Great Slave Lake north to the Barrenlands and features abundant wildlife, tranquil waterways, and breathtaking scenery.
To get there, you can take a regular or charter flight from Yellowknife to Łutsel K'e.
- The region has very cold winters, so if you plan to experience the lake and the surrounding areas in winter, you will need heavy layers and warm boots with good steps.
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