PLACES TO FLY
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The Northwest Territories is float-flying paradise! Although summers are short, daylight hours are long, sunshine is abundant, and waters are pristine. Great Slave Lake and Great Bear Lake offer world-class sportfishing while the thousands of smaller lakes and rivers provide excellent angling opportunities. True wilderness is accessible by only a short flight from Yellowknife or other communities.
NWTFA encourages local and visiting pilots to use their aircraft to explore the region and enjoy time out on the land. Some of our favorite destinations are profiled here as "Places to Fly". |
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Destination profiles"Places to Fly" is provided as a courtesy to the general aviation community and to promote aviation tourism in the Northwest Territories.
Each profile consists of a dedicated web page providing a site description, map, coordinates and several photographs of the location. Each profile also includes a pdf download providing all information in a convenient printable format. Information contained in the profiles is compiled using data available online or submitted by NWTFA members or other pilots and has not been verified. NWTFA accepts no responsibility for its accuracy. Pilots are encouraged to verify all information through their own careful flight planning. Some destinations are situate within Thaidene Nene National Park Reserve which was established in 2019 to protect the East Arm region of Great Slave Lake. An aircraft access permit is required for all take-offs and landings in the park reserve. The information sheet opposite provides details applicable to floatplane access and activities permitted in the park reserve. |
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charlton bay (thaidene nene national park reserve)
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Charlton Bay is a very large bay on the East Arm of Great Slave Lake. The site profiled consists of a sandy spit extending into the lake with beaches on both sides.
This site is located within Thaidene Nene National Park Reserve. Access by aircraft is subject to regulations and permitting requirements managed by Parks Canada. View profile... |
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fat lake
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Fat Lake is located northeast of Yellowknife near the treeline. Its subarctic terrain offers gravel beaches, sandy eskers, tundra vegetation, and expansive views.
The lake is shallow with visible and hidden rocks and shoals throughout, so caution is required when landing, taxiing and taking off. View profile... |
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fishing lake
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Fishing Lake is a large lake situate on the Yellowknife River system approximately 53 nautical miles north of Yellowknife. It features sandy beaches on both the north and west shores of the lake. The river and its rapids offer excellent fishing for arctic grayling.
View profile... |
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greenstockings lake
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Greenstockings Lake forms the headwaters of the Yellowknife River and is located on the edge of the tundra just south of the tree line. A long sandy beach provides excellent floatplane parking. The terrain includes sub-arctic vegetation, sandy and rocky eskers, and glacial erratics.
A fly-out visit to Greenstockings Lake can be easily combined with a visit to nearly Winter Lake. View profile... |
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lower pensive lake
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Lower Pensive Lake is located 33 nautical miles northeast of Yellowknife on the Pensive Lakes wilderness paddling route. A sandy beach provides excellent parking for several floatplanes.
An open esker behind the beach offers stunning views of the lake and surrounding landscape. The site is ideal for daytrips or camping and includes an established firepit with several large benches. View profile... |
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mcdonald lake
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McDonald Lake is located on the mainland just south of the southern shore of the East Arm of Great Slave Lake. This large deep lake boasts crystal-clear turquoise-green water. A wide sandy beach provides easy floatplane parking and a nice picnic or camping spot. Lake trout can be caught in this lake. The flight path from Yellowknife to McDonald Lake provides stunning views of the East Arm and its islands and peninsulas.
View profile... |
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meander lake
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Meander Lake is located approximately 64 nautical miles east of Yellowknife. It offers a sandy beach with easy access for floatplane parking. This area was impacted by forest fire in 2014 but still provides a lovely picnic location.
View profile... |
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waldron river (Thaidene nene territorial protected area)
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The Waldron River flows into Great Slave Lake on the north shore of McLeod Bay east of Thompson Landing. This site is located within the Thaidene Nene Territorial Protected Area.
A sandy beach near the mouth of the river provides suitable floatplane parking. Small lake trout can be caught off the rocks along the shoreline of the lake. Arctic grayling can be caught in small pools and rapids along the river. View profile... |
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wildbread bay - site #1 (thaidene nene national park reserve)
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Wildbread Bay is a very large bay on the East Arm of Great Slave Lake. The site profiled is a rock beach approximately 115 nautical miles east of Yellowknife. It features spectacular scenery and excellent fishing.
This site is located within Thaidene Nene National Park Reserve. Access by aircraft is subject to regulations and permitting requirements managed by Parks Canada. View profile... |
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wildbread bay - site #2 (thaidene nene national park reserve)
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Wildbread Bay is situate within the East Arm region of Great Slave Lake. The site profiled is a fine sand beach approximately 128 nautical miles east of Yellowknife. It features spectacular vistas of Wildbread Bay and the surrounding cliffs.
This site is located within Thaidene Nene National Park Reserve. Access by aircraft is subject to regulations and permitting requirements managed by Parks Canada. View profile... |
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winter lake
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Winter Lake is located on the barrenlands just north of the tree line and the headwaters of the Yellowknife River. It features a long sandy beach with excellent floatplane parking. The terrain consists of open sandy eskers. This location is of historical significance as the site of a winter camp of Sir John Franklin.
A fly-out visit to Winter Lake can be easily combined with a visit to nearly Greenstockings Lake. View profile... |
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