Brabant Lodge

Brabant Lodge

Mackenzie River, N.T. Canada Phone: (867) 874 - 2600 Email: ellen@brabantlodge.com

Breakfast is served at 7:00 AM, boats leave the dock at 8:00 AM and return at 5:00 PM. The kitchen prepares a boxed lunch for each guest consisting of sandwiches, snacks and fruit. An appetizer is served at 5:00 PM, dinner is served at 6:00 PM with complimentary wine. Boats leave the dock again at 7:00 PM and return at 10:00 PM at No Additional Charge! Click here for a list of suggested gear.

Northern Pike

Pike are the most popular fish to catch at Brabant because of their large size and aggressive nature. The waters around the lodge are the definition of Pike territory and offer some of the best Pike fishing in Canada. The average size for pike in our area is 10-12 lbs. and approximately 36". Numerous Pike between 20 & 30 lbs. are caught each week. The largest Pike caught at Brabant weighed in at 38 lbs. Pike can be caught by casting into large weedbeds or warm blackwater in 2-8 feet of water.

Casting Equipment

Rod: 6 to 7 foot medium-heavy spinning or casting

Line: 17-20 lb. test

Leader: 6 to 9 inch steel/titanium leaders with ball bearing swivels

Bait: Len Thompson Spoons, Daredevils, Johnson Silver Minnow, Mepps #4 Spinners, Crankbaits, Top Water, 6" Black/White/Chartreuse Tails

Fly Fishing Equipment

Rod: 7 to 8 weight fly rod

Line: Sink tip line with 6 to 9 inches of steel leader

Bait: Large streamer flies (any combo of black, red, yellow, orange, white)

Walleye

Walleye are plentiful in the waters around Brabant. They average 3-4 Ibs. and can reach 8 Ibs. in our area. The prime season for walleye starts in the first week of July and runs through August; although they can be caught all season long. Walleye are found in 8-10 feet of water and are caught by trolling the shoreline with deep diving plugs. Walleye are the most popular fish to eat in the area.

Casting Equipment

Rod: 6 to 7 foot medium-heavy casting

Line: 17 to 20 lb. test mono

Leader: 6 to 9 inch steel/titanium leaders with ball bearing swivels

Bait: Deep diving plugs (Rapala, Wally Divers)

Arctic Grayling

After a long day of Pike fishing many guests opt to have a relaxing night drifting for Grayling. With their large dorsal fin and exotic coloring the Arctic Grayling is one of the most beautiful fish found in the area. Trophy Grayling range from 3-5 Ibs. with the average size being 1-2 Ibs. Grayling are caught by drifting with small spinning lures or bead head nymphs. They are found on the rocky bottom of the Mackenzie River in 4-6 feet of water.

Casting Equipment

Rod: Ultra-Lite

Line: 6 to 8 lb. test mono

Bait: Small spinning lures (Mepps #3, Blue Fox)

Fly Fishing Equipment

Rod: 5 to 6 weight fly rod

Leader: 3 to 4 Ib. tapered mono

Bait: Dry flies (caddis, may flies, dragonflies), Bead head nymphs

Whitefish

The Mackenzie River is also populated with Whitefish that average approximately 3 lbs. The season for Whitefish starts in mid July and runs through August. Whitefish are the preferred catch for many fly fishermen because of the finesse required to hook them and their muscular build ensures an exciting fight on a fly rod.

Fly Fishing Equipment

Rod: 5 to 6 weight fly rod

Leader: 4 to 6 Ib. tapered mono

Bait: Dry flies (caddis, may flies, dragon flies), Bead head nymphs