Cambridge Bay’s Inuinnaqtun name is Iqaluktuuttiaq — a good fishing place. Get out fishing. Contact one of Cambridge Bay’s outfitters ahead of time and line something up, or just ask around at the Visitor’s Centre in the community if you didn’t have much time to prepare for the trip.

Bill Lyall, the B & J Flyfishing Adventures’Owner:

“My desire is to share this beautiful land of ours, its people, culture, traditional heritage, scenery and natural splendour with others. The superb fishing in our rivers and lakes should be an absolute delight and a great challenge to any dedicated sport fisherman.”

Belonging to local residents dot the coastline near Cambridge Bay. Fish and meat drying racks can still be seen at some of these camps. Use courtesy, and respect these summer homes, and residents will often welcome visitors with warmth and hospitality.

In July and August when the tundra is brilliant with wildflowers you can watch many birds, including jaegers, ducks, geese and swans.

The bird species list for Cambridge Bay consists of 79 species. Common species seen near the township include Thayer’s Gull, Sabine’s Gull, King Eider, Long-tailed and Parasitic Jaegers, various shorebirds and Pacific Loon.

Located about 15km northeast of town is Mount Pelly. It can be easily accessed by road. Here, species such as Yellow-billed Loon, Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Rock and Willow Ptarmigan, Sandhill Crane, Brant, Red Knot, Peregrine Falcon and Rough-legged Hawk can be seen, along with roaming herds of Muskoxen, Arctic Fox, Arctic Hare and lemmings.

Queen Maud Migratory Bird Sanctuary is Canada’s largest federally protected nature preserve. It is home to one of the greatest concentrations of nesting geese on Earth.

Photo: Jojo Trenholm

Canadian High Arctic Research Station is operated by Polar Knowledge Canada – a government agency whose mandate is to facilitate high-quality arctic research.

You are welcome to visit the Main Research Building, either with a group by appointment or on a drop-in basis using a self-guided tour brochure. You can admire the architecture (designed with iglu building features) and the Inuit art and decorations.