Great Bear Lake Lodge

Guest sentiment toward Plummer's Arctic Lodges is overwhelmingly positive. Nearly every review is 5/5, and many reviewers call the trip a bucket-list experience. Many reviewers are repeat guests, including one on his 11th trip and others on their second or fourth. The reviews cover Great Slave Lake, Great Bear Lake (Trophy Lodge and the main lodge), and the Tree River side trip in Nunavut.

Guests consistently praise the lake trout fishing. Reviewers report many fish over 20 lbs, with catches of 30 to 50 lbs, and some groups landed more than 200 fish in a trip. Reviewers often mention Arctic grayling, and they praise Tree River for Arctic char. Guests describe the guides as knowledgeable, professional and patient with beginners and children, and several guides are named for going above and beyond. Guests repeatedly name shore lunches as a highlight. They call lodge meals plentiful and well presented, and some compare them to restaurant quality. Guests describe the accommodations as rustic or a little dated but clean and comfortable, with well-maintained boats and equipment. Reviewers also mention the staff, the clear water and the remote Arctic scenery. Several reviewers say beginners did well, and families and father-son or father-daughter trips are well represented.

Complaints are few. One reviewer enjoyed the fishing but gave 1/5 stars after a delayed charter flight home, saying staff gave poor updates and he paid about $1,500 for new tickets and a hotel night. Management replied that weather delays can't be avoided and that they would review how they communicate during them. Other practical notes from guests: it is not a cheap trip, though reviewers called it worth the cost. Mosquitoes can be bad early in the season, and it gets colder than many expect, so pack warm and follow the lodge's clothing suggestions. Lodges supply rods and reels, but guests bring their own lures. For Tree River char, reviewers suggest an 8 wt rod or heavier. One reviewer found commercial airline connections often late, and another said conditions prevented a Tree River trip. This destination suits trophy lake trout anglers, first-time fly-in guests, families with children, groups of friends and solo travelers. It also suits fly anglers who want to target lake trout, grayling and Arctic char.