Mushroom foraging laws in Northwest Territories

Summary

According to the NWT Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment, you can pick morels for personal use without a permit on territorial or Commissioner's lands where public access is allowed, including territorial parks. Commercial picking needs a business licence, and a Commercial Use Permit in territorial parks. Harvesting is not allowed in national parks in the NWT.

Public land

Personal-use morel picking is allowed without a permit on territorial or Commissioner's lands where public access is allowed, including territorial parks. Harvesting is currently not allowed in national parks in the NWT. Permission is needed on private property, and for Indigenous private lands pickers are advised to contact that Indigenous government's office first.

Permits

No permit for personal use. Commercial morel harvesting requires a Business Licence, and commercial picking in territorial parks requires a Commercial Use Permit.

Selling

The department says fresh morels may be sold in the field if buyers are present, and dried morels can be sold to wholesalers, specialty stores and restaurants. A business licence is required for commercial harvesting.

Morel sales

Commercial morel harvesting requires an NWT Business Licence, according to the department; no other sale rules were stated on the page.

Sources

• NWT Industry, Tourism and Investment - Morel harvesting

Last verified: November 11, 2026