Nettilling Lake

Nettilling Lake, 5,542 km², elevation 30 m, max length 123 km, is located toward the south end of Baffin Island. The lake is in the Great Plain of the Koukdjuak, about 110 km southwest of Auyuittuq National Parkand 280 km northwest of Iqaluit. The name is of Inuktitut origin but its meaning is unclear. (See also Largest Lakes in Canada.)

Geography

The largest lake in Nunavut and the tenth largest in Canada, Nettilling is fed by Amadjuak Lake and several other small lakes and streams. Composed of three bays (Mirage, Camsell and Burwash), its eastern half is dotted with numerous islands. The western half is deeper with no islands. The lake empties into Foxe Basin from its west shore via the very shallow Koukdjuak River.

Wildlife

Ice-covered for most of the year, only three species of fish have been recorded in its waters: Arctic char and two species of stickleback. The area around the lake and south to Amadjuak Lake is important for caribou.

History

The lake is located on the traditional territory of the Inuit. Franz Boas explored its southern shore in 1883. Between the years 1924 and 1926, J. Dewey Soper surveyed the area and south to Amadjuak Lake.