The long-range transport of atmospheric elemental mercury (Hg) has caused great concern in the Arctic owing to its ability to bioaccumulate and biomagnify in flora and fauna. Specifically, this poses a risk to northern communities, due to their reliance on traditional foods. One of the most common components of the Arctic landscape, are lakes and ponds, which are recognized as ‘sentinels of change’ owing to their ability to reflect internal and external (catchment) processes. Quantifying, the level of Hg in Arctic lake catchments will further our understanding regarding its fate, and the potential for human exposure. This study assessed the concentrations of total mercury (THg) in surface waters (n=80), moss (Hylocomium splendens; n=43) and surface (0–10 cm) soil (n=40) and surface sediment (n=25) samples in lake catchments around Iqaluit, Pond Inlet and Auyuittuq National Park along Pangnirtung Pass. The highest concentration of THg in surface waters (9.3 ng L^–1) was observed in Pond Inlet, while the lowest concentrations were observed in Iqaluit (1.9 ng L^–1). A similar pattern was observed in moss 49.4–86.0 ng g^–1 (Iqaluit–Pond Inlet). In contrast, higher concentrations were observed in surface soil in Iqaluit (27.4 ng g^–1) compared with Pond Inlet (12.4 ng g^–1).