Before going to Great Bear Lake, you obviously have to pack, plan, and prepare. Now, let's say this is your first time going to Great Bear Lake and you have no idea how to plan, what to bring. Well, let's just say that you've got questions, and we've got answers.
Do Your Research
The very best way to find out what it's really like, is to talk to people who have actually been there - preferably more than once. One, Plummer's Lodge, which may be the only viable game in town if you want to fish the Bear, will certainly be able to provide you with references.
Booking Your Trip
To be honest, you don't have all that many choices, except to staying at a lodge, which can turn out to be quite fun.
When to Head to Great Bear Lake
How does July or August sound to you? Personally, many people like the second week of July, because the ice has usually just gone out, although there can still be some floating around, and the fish are up in the shallows. As an added bonus, the sun never sets early in the season, which means you can fish just about any time you want to. If you want to see the Northern Lights, going around the time of August is the best time. If you just want to know what time of year has the best weather, it depends on what you plan on doing:
- Winter - Best time for winter sports, ice fishing, playing in the snow or on the ice, and seeing winter wildlife.
- Spring - Best time for hiking, biking, horseback riding, bird watching, and other nature-related activities.
- Summer - Best time for swimming, water skiing, water sports, golf, and other sunny activities.
- Fall - Best time for camping, bird watching, guided tours, shopping, viewing plant and wildlife, viewing serene sunsets, and other activities that have to do with relaxing.
Getting There
All roads to Great Bear Lake invariably run through Yellowknife, or as the locals call it, YK. Plummer's fly their guests directly to Great Bear from YK, but if doing your own thing, you can either charter an aircraft and fly directly to the lake, or pick up a commercial flight from YK to Norman Wells, then catch one of the regularly scheduled flights operated by North-Wright Air to Deline.While First Air, Air Canada, West jet and Canadian North offer regular service to YK out of Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver, unless you are flying out of Calgary or Edmonton, we're not aware of any direct flights to YK.
What to Budget
The amount we would suggest is based on booking with Plummer's flying out of Toronto, staying one night in both Edmonton and YK on the inbound portion, and another night in YK on the way home.
Costs will vary depending on any number of factors, such as where your trip originates, seat sales, the number of overnight stays, and any optional fly outs you take while at the lodge.
The base amount you should budget for a week on Great Bear is approximately $700. Remember that these are approximate costs only, based on 2012/13 rates, and for the most part, inclusive of taxes.
Costs will vary depending on any number of factors, such as where your trip originates, seat sales, the number of overnight stays, and any optional fly outs you take while at the lodge.
The base amount you should budget for a week on Great Bear is approximately $700. Remember that these are approximate costs only, based on 2012/13 rates, and for the most part, inclusive of taxes.
- Base Trip - $520
- Airfare - $800 - subject to point of origin, and seat sales.
- Accommodation - $250 to $300 - assuming two in a room, and one night in Edmonton and 2 nights in YK.
- Meals - $200 - this obviously will vary, depending on whether you eat at Ruth's Chris or Mickey D's.
- Gratuities - $300 to $400 - for your guide and the housekeeping/wait staff.
- Tackle/Drink Purchases at Lodge - $100.
What to Pack
Although you will be traveling to one of the most remote locations on the planet, don't think you have to bring along several steamer trunks full of gear. The fact is that you will have to pack things that are relatively light.
There are specific weight restrictions, particularly on the charter portion of your trip into the lake. Make sure that your gear does not weigh any more than fifty to sixty pounds in total, and you should be fine. If your bag(s) is/are too heavy, the commercial airlines will charge you an additional fee, and the charter company may very well require you to leave some gear behind.
Because you have to be so cautious about what to bring, and make it not such a big load, let's go through what the typical items you would need are:
There are specific weight restrictions, particularly on the charter portion of your trip into the lake. Make sure that your gear does not weigh any more than fifty to sixty pounds in total, and you should be fine. If your bag(s) is/are too heavy, the commercial airlines will charge you an additional fee, and the charter company may very well require you to leave some gear behind.
Because you have to be so cautious about what to bring, and make it not such a big load, let's go through what the typical items you would need are:
- Video and SLR camera, extra batteries and memory card(s), charger and assorted lenses, all packed in a small waterproof case.
- Small kit bag, with toiletries, and a small assortment of patent medicines.
- Waterproof/breathable parka, and bib type pants.
- Polar Fleece jacket.
- 1 set of thermals.
- 8 - inch, waterproof/breathable - insulated boots.
- 3 pairs of thermal socks.
- 3 pairs of pants.
- 3 long sleeve shirts.
- 3 "T" shirts.
- Socks/underwear.
- Pair of insulated/waterproof gloves.
- Pair of light, neoprene gloves.
- Toque.
- Hat - either baseball, or Tilley style.
- Sunscreen.
- Field Journal and pen.
- Book.
- 1 can - Insect repellent, and a mesh, hooded bug jacket.
- Polarized glasses, in a hard shell case.
- Tackle Box - I use a small Bass Pro, soft-sided "Extreme" Boat Bag, together with several plastic utility boxes.
- Green plastic garbage bag for bringing home dirty cloths.
- Plastic "Ziploc" bag with three or four bungee cords in assorted sizes, and a small roll of duct tape.
- Small carry on with airline tickets, hotel reservation confirmation(s), lodge luggage tags and passport.
- Leather-man or similar type multi-tool
- Quality, soft sided, duffle type bag, big enough to hold all of the above, including tackle.
- Other items may vary based on what activities you plan on doing.
Where to Buy Stuff
Rather than taking a chance that the retailer will have what you need in stock, we would recommend buying directly from the manufacturer:
- Yakima Bait Company (T-60's) - www.yakimabait.com
- Eppinger (Huskie/Rocket Devel) - www.eppinger.net
- Lucky Strike (Half-Wave) - www.luckystrikebaitworks.com
- Spro - www.spro.com
- Sampo - www.sampoinc.com (Sampo may not sell directly to the public, but you can find a full selection of their swivels on line, at either Cabela's or Bass Pro)
- Pelican Cases (waterproof camera cases) - www.pelican.com or www.pelican.ca
- Cabela's - www.cabelas.com
- Bass Pro Shops - www.basspro.com
- Wholesale Sports - www.wholesalesports.com
- Mountain Equipment Co Op - www.mec.ca
- Sail - www.sail.ca