Penn’s Outdoors

My son and I went up to the 2008 Eastern Sports and Outdoors Show.  Traveling through the booths of Ontario lodges and outfitters, I got the itch to go.  I am not taking our annual trip this year but I found myself wondering at the show whether it was too late to change my mind. 

Just a few years ago if you were planning your trip in February, you were left only with the lodges that aren’t that great or non-ideal fishing times.  With gas prices and the US/Canadian currency exchange rates, many places still have openings and quite a few even have these openings during some of the best fishing times.  From talking with a few of the lodges, business is better than last year but most still had openings.

So, I thought I would offer you my personal list of Top 10 Ontario fishing trip destinations.  This is the list that I keep at my desk.  I’ve included the reasons that I want to go as well as, in some cases, the reasons that I haven’t gone. 

I have selected places that have boats as part of the package or available for rental.  Oh yeah, I threw in one Quebec place.  So, there are 9 Ontario destinations and 1 Quebec.  Rates are calculated at the current US/Canada dollar for dollar exchange rate. 

Lodge listings follow a trail through Ontario from northeast to northwest.  They are not in order of who I want to go to most. I want to go all of them equally.  If only, I was independently wealthy!

1) Lake Kesagami

For me, this is the holy grail of fishing.  There is no other place within a 20 hour drive from Pennsylvania that offers the quality of walleye and pike fishing as Lake Kesagami.  There may not be another place in the World that does.  In fact, Outdoor Canada ranked Lake Kesagami Wilderness Lodge the #1 pike destination in Canada two years ago. 

Pike fishermen should think big and plentiful.  Trophy size pike in the 40″ class are a common occurrence on Kesagami.  The chance at a 50″ fish exists. This fly-in destination also boasts unbelievable walleye fishing.  They do get some bigger fish in the mix but their claim to fame is the numbers of fish available.  100 fish days are not unusual all season long. 

Lake Kesagami Wilderness Lodge is a four star resort.  Everything is taken care of for you.  You just have to fish.  I’ve heard from multiple sources that the food is out of this world.  If you like a more rustic lodge, this is not the place.  But if you enjoy a bit of luxury with your fishing, then you need to check out Lake Kesagami Wilderness Lodge. 

If you stay at Lake Kesagami Wilderness Lodge, it is catch and release only for northern pike and shore lunch keeping only for walleye.  This is how they preserve their incredible fishery.

I’ll warn you their packages are not for the low budget angler.  That’s why I have not made the trip yet. Lake Kesagami Wilderness Lodge prices range upward of $2099 for 7 days and nights.  They do have packages for as few as 3 days and nights. 

When talking about cost, I should point out that I never leave home on a week-long fishing trip without my two sons.  They do offer a generous discount for children 15 years old and under, but the cost still would run about $4200 for me.  Many of you can afford this trip though, and I can think of no better place to head if you love walleye and pike fishing.

There is another outfitter, Gardiner Air Service, who provides access to the lake from a cabin on another lake.  Getting to Kesagami requires a portage.  We have a report on Kesagami from a group that went with Gardiner.  Here’s a piece of their report…

As advertised, the walleye fishing was outstanding.  The water is tea-colored and shallow keeping the walleye in areas where they can be caught almost anytime of the day.  It was not unusual to catch a 18-21″ walleye on every cast.  Best baits were spinnerbaits and Johnson spoons that we would pull through the weed beds.

The northern pike fishing was okay and much better than any other lake we have fished.  However, we did not catch the trophy northern we were hoping for.  Typical size of the numerous pike caught were 24-35″ and largest for the week was 38″.  Successful baits included daredevils, Johnson spoons, spinnerbaits, and buzzbaits, and a variety of crankbaits.

Gardiner is much more rustic accommodations and does not include meals.  The per person rate is $1300 for a week.  I have to be honest and tell you that I’ve read mixed reports on this outfitter.  The group that supplied our report had no issues. 

Regardless of who you go with, Lake Kesagami can be a rough lake.  When the wind picks up, it can be tough boating.  This is a definite advantage of Lake Kesagami Wilderness Lodge as they have boats that can provide you the safety you need to fish the lake in most conditions.   The weather can also affect your fly-in and fly-out times. 

That’s some of what I know on Lake Kesagami.  I don’t believe that you will find a better wilderness experience, to catch all the walleye that you want and to have a good chance at the pike of a lifetime, anywhere closer to Pennsylvania.  Maybe someday, I’ll have a first hand report for you.

2) Lost Lake Wilderness Lodge

I saw the owner of Lost Lake Wilderness Lodge at the Sportsmen’s Show and was reminded that there isn’t a nicer person on the planet than Ed.  The hospitality you receive from Ed when coming to Lost Lake is second to none. 

Lost Lake is a couple of hours south of Cochrane.  This is a trip that I have detailed in our report.  So I won’t say too much more here.  This is a reasonably priced trip for fishermen that will put you in the middle of some really good fishing, beautiful scenery, and awesome hospitality.

3) Ottawa River

On our way up to Lost Lake Wilderness Lodge, we followed the Ottawa River.  The Ottawa River should not be overlooked for its fishing potential.  Depending where you go on the Ottawa, most sought after species are available including smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, pike, walleye, muskie and perch.

My pick for a destinations is Pinecrest Lodge in Deep River.  They are on this list predominantly due to articles I’ve read about them on FishHawk.net, one of Ontario’s best web sites. Here is an excerpt from one of the articles…

How can I sum up our stay at Pinecrest Lodge?  The fishing, the scenery, the accommodations, the hosts, the rental boats, and the price, are unbeatable.  If your annual fishing trip  normally takes you on a one hour drive north of the Canadian border into Eastern Ontario, continuing north for two more hours to Pinecrest will not leave you disappointed. 

Pinecrest’s rates for 2008 are very affordable.  They do not charge per person but rent out cabins.  This makes them a great value if you are going with a group.  As a bonus, they have some very nice boat rental options including a 17 foot Lund Outfitter with a 50hp motor. 

There are lots of lodges and camps all along the Ottawa.  Pinecrest gets my vote because of its consistent positive on-line reviews from their guests.

4) Lake Nipissing West Arm

The West Arm of Lake Nipissing is arguably the best multi-species destination on my list.  Name the fish, and they have it.  The West Arm is within 14 hours of any city in Pennsylvania.  I understand the scenery on this section of the Lake is stunningly beautiful. 

I have been close to going several times.  Why haven’t I? Consistency of fishing reports from newbies to the Lake. Lake Nipissing’s West Arm appears, to me, to be a place you are going to have to visit  a  couple of times before you start truly tapping its great fishing.  I know some would argue this, but my perspective is based on countless hours of research about this area.

My recommendation is that this should be close to #1 on everyone’s list who is looking for a place for a trip they will do year after year. 

If I were to go, my choice for a lodge would be Lakair Lodge.  A popular expression on some Ontario fishing forums is “There is no air like Lakair”.  I have never read a complaint about this place. They offer both American and Housekeeping plans.

5) Rideau Waterway

Oh the Rideau! The home of my first Ontario fishing vacation. I spent a week at Clear Lake Cottages.  The fishing was average to good.  I don’t think that I fished nearly as well as I could’ve though. If I had fished better, I think the fishing would’ve been good to very good.  I did manage a 4lb. smallie on the trip. 

The Rideau Waterway is 125 miles divided by a series of locks.  The Waterway includes a number of different lakes.  These lakes hold Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike, Lake Trout, Yellow Perch, Black Crappie, Muskellunge, and Walleye.  For most of the Rideau, bass are the big draw.  Bass grow big here.  4 pounders are respectable but you need at least a 5 pound fish to get too much attention.  Pike are plentiful but most will be under 10 pounds. 

Parts of the Rideau get very heavy boat traffic in the summertime.  For the serious fisherman, a fall trip is in order as it gives you the best chance at big fish and minimizes significantly the amount of boat traffic you’ll encounter.  For the family, a summer trip will be great.  There is lots for your kids to do.  Plentiful panfish will get them hooked on fishing. 

One big selling point for the Rideau is the affordability of the Rideau chain.  You can find more expensive places but most places are quite affordable.  Clear Lake Cottages rents housekeeping cottages on Clear Lake.  I have friends who love Shangri-La Lodge on Whitefish Lake.  They offer American Plan packages at $525 per week.  That is an incredible deal, and I hear the food is delicious. 

Another big selling point for the Rideau is that it is within about an 8 hour drive from most towns in Pennsylvania.  The best web site to start your research on the Rideau is Rideau-Info.com.

6) Bear Lake Wilderness Camp

As we start to head from eastern Ontario towards the west, we find a jewel of a camp northwest of Toronto.  This is another place that I won’t spend too much time on as I have provided a lot of detail in my report from this past summer.  But if you want a boat-in adventure that is affordable with consistently good fishing for bass and pike, Bear Lake Wilderness Camp is a winner.  Just like Lost Lake, I am recommending Bear Lake to family and friends. 

7) Air Ivanhoe

This is a late entry based on a recent conversation with a co-worker.  A little research, and I found that Air Ivanhoe offers nice fly-in opportunities for an affordable price.  Chapleau, their base, is a bit of a long drive, 14 to 19 hours depending on where you are in PA.  This is pike and walleye territory.  They also have some lakes with smallmouth bass.

My co-worker tells me that the lake, he fishes, produces large numbers of pike and big pike in May.  The thing that impressed me most was my co-worker’s report about the quality service provided by this outfitter. 

Prices range for a week from $650 to $900 which are very good rates for a fly-in adventure.

Their site even has a message forum where you can learn about different lakes.

8) Lac Seul and Gullrock Lake

Now, we take a big jump to northwest Ontario. I won’t spend as much time on these destinations as they are probably out of travel range for most of us.  But if you don’t mind the travel, these are fishing trip destinations you should definitely consider.

Go to any web forum that covers northwestern Ontario and you will find endless discussions about whether Gullrock or Lac Seul is the better walleye lake.  I’ve put them together because either choice will put you on some of the best drive-to walleye fishing in the World. 

Both Gullrock Lake and Lac Seul are walleye factories.  Lodging choices on these lakes are very affordable especially given the quality of fishing available. 

The problem is that you are dealing with up to a 28 hour drive from PA.  That’s if you drive without stopping.  Even flying into Minneapolis leaves you with a 12 hour drive. Flying into that part of Ontario is extremely expensive. 

If you don’t mind driving the distance and love to catch Walleye, these are the places to go.  The pike fishing is also very good.  There are smallmouth in parts of Lac Seul but they should be considered a bonus fish.

If I were to go, I would go to Gullrock Lake.  The main reason is the response that I received from Five Lakes Lodge when I was considering a trip to Lac Seul or Gullrock Lake.  Many owners were friendly in their response but Five Lakes Lodge went above and beyond in providing information.  I have written about how impressed I was with their response to me.

9) Fireside Lodge

I have already written about Fireside.  I love the quality of smallmouth and pike fishing they offer.  On this top 10 list, Fireside provides the best opportunity for muskie fishermen.  They are a full American plan lodge.  I am saving my pennies for this place because it is a must do fishing trip.

10) La Réserve Beauchêne

From everyone I talk to, no place holds a candle to the smallmouth fishing at this Quebec resort.  The Bounty Fishing Blog does a great job of describing this fishery.  Here are some excerpts.

I was attracted to Beauchene because it has fast become a sought-after trophy small-mouth bass haven. The Beauchene motto of conservation ensures it’s catch-n-release only for bass on the main lake, so very large specimens are not uncommon. On my first evening of fishing, a spectacular thunderstorm gave way to an overcast calm. As we drifted a magnificent shoreline of rocks and boulders, one of many, my companion and I switched from spinners and jigs to Pop-Rs and surface baits. Minutes later, my first 5 pound Beauchene bass leapt as if on command adjacent to a boulder field before being landed and released.

Close to many of Eastern Canada’s urban centres such as Ottawa, Toronto, or Montreal, the territory is only a few hours drive, and remains a quality angling experience. Trout fishing is best in spring as the fish are closer to the surface. Post spawn bass will retreat to deeper waters by summer, but return to their favourite shallow feeding areas often, especially in the early morning and evening. Not only is pike fishing possible as specimens of up to 20 pounds have been landed, but large walleye are also commonly caught.

The full article will have you wanting to go to Quebec’s La Réserve Beauchêne.  The amazing thing is a few Google searches will find a number of other reports that give nothing but praise to this fishing trip destination.  This isn’t a cheap trip and may be a once in a lifetime for a lot of us but I hope to get there at least once.

Summary

As I look at this list, I am realizing I have expensive, at least to me, taste.  The reality is like anything else, you tend to get what you pay for, with a few exceptions of great values at lower prices to be found with some careful searching.  Again, this is my personal list.  There are lots of other places that will make you a very happy fisherman.  If you go on a trip this summer, please take some time and let us know how you do.