Nettilling Lake

Lake Canada's remote Arctic lake on Baffin Island

On Baffin Island, Nettilling Lake is Nunavut’s largest lake by area, set amid tundra and low Arctic ridges. Wilderness travelers visit for remote fishing, birding, and views of ice-scoured landscapes far from settlements.

Nettilling Lake is a large freshwater lake on Baffin Island in Nunavut, Canada, and is the island’s principal inland waterbody. It lies in a remote Arctic region with tundra landscapes and limited settlement.

The lake supports Arctic aquatic ecosystems and is ice-covered for much of the year, with a short summer thaw period. It is significant regionally for wildlife and traditional subsistence activities by nearby Inuit communities.

The lake’s shores and surrounding terrain are sparsely populated, and access is typically by boat in summer or by air for scientific and community purposes. Recreational visitation is limited by remoteness and seasonal ice conditions.

Nettilling Lake is situated in central-southern Baffin Island within Nunavut and is part of the island’s broader system of lakes, rivers and fjords that drain toward adjacent Arctic waters.

Arctic lake: The largest lake on Baffin Island, it freezes for much of the year and lies in a remote Arctic landscape with sparse human presence.

How to Get to Nettilling Lake #

Access is remote-reaching Nettilling Lake typically requires travel to Nunavut by air to a regional hub (e.g., Iqaluit or nearby communities) and then chartered flights or boat transfers arranged through local operators. Plan logistics carefully and allow contingency for weather.

Tips for Visiting Nettilling Lake #

If sailing or kayaking, plan for long distances between sheltered bays-the lake is enormous and wind can build quickly.
Bring a GPS and local charts; navigation across Nettilling requires planning and knowledge of seasonal ice conditions if visiting in shoulder seasons.
Wildlife enthusiasts should watch for migrating birds and seals along the shoreline in summer.