Surface waterbodies are an important component for hydrogeological models in permafrost terrains, as they are associated with the development of taliks (zones of perennially unfrozen ground) which can increase vertical groundwater connectivity. Current conceptualizations suggest taliks form under surface waterbodies due to increased conductive heat flux from changes at surface, as well as an increased advective heat flux from groundwater flow occurring when a talik “breaks through” underlaying permafrost. However, a typical northern watershed contains a multitude of surface water features, and the distribution of permafrost across multiple scales and types of waterbodies remains to be assessed in the field. Here, airborne and terrestrial electrical measurements are used to infer talik morphology across a small watershed in the Central Mackenzie Valley, Northwest Territories, Canada. Ice is more electrically resistive than liquid water, allowing high and low resistivity zones to be interpreted as permafrost or taliks, respectively. Results show taliks with near-vertical boundaries surrounding lakes, including ones with relatively shallow (>1m) depths. Similar talik morphology was identified surrounding the Mackenzie River with a talik below the majority of the riverbed, but extensive permafrost immediately adjacent to the banks. Permafrost along a ~2.5 km section of a stream appears to be heterogeneous with some reaches hosting taliks while others remain frozen. Talik variability was also identified beneath wetlands, with an open talik identified beneath one wetland while permafrost persisted beneath two other wetland locations. Study results demonstrate the complexity of assessing hydro(geo)logical changes on a watershed scale under a warming climate.