Big Fish River

Big Fish River is located in the Richardson Mountains, part of the Dawson mining district in northern Yukon, Canada, at approximately 68° 28' 25'' North and 136° 29' 14'' West. This places it north of the Arctic Circle, in a remote area near the border with the Northwest Territories, and part of the broader Brooks Range extending from Alaska. It's a rugged, mountainous region, ideal for mineral enthusiasts seeking unique finds.

This locality is famous for its rich phosphate deposits, including rare minerals like Gormanite, Marićite, and Nahpoite, which were first discovered here (type localities). These minerals are found in phosphatic nodules within sideritic ironstones and shales, offering a treasure trove for collectors.

Discovered in 1974 by Al Kulan and Gunar Penikis while searching for iron, Big Fish River has since been a site for mineral collecting rather than large-scale mining, focusing on scientific and collector interest.

The area is part of the traditional territory of First Nations peoples like the Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in, with the nearby Yukon River central to their culture, especially for salmon fishing. Its subarctic climate features short, cool summers and long, cold winters, with a tundra and taiga ecosystem hosting caribou, moose, and bears.

It's surprising that such a remote, Arctic location north of the Arctic Circle hosts such a diverse array of rare phosphate minerals, making it a hidden gem for mineral enthusiasts.