Accessible Paradise

Noganosh Park's lakes and rivers is populated with monster pike and feisty bass

If you’re looking for a place to paddle, to camp among stout white pine, catch trophy bass and pike—and not drive endless hours to get there—then try Noganosh Lake Provincial Park. The 3,000-hectare protected area was formed in 2003 through Ontario’s Living Legacy initiative, and long before it became a park where I’d paddle, camp, and fish. It’s always offered a perfect place for me to escape busier areas like Algonquin to the east, Georgian Bay to the west, and the French River to the north.

Getting There Is Half the Fun

There are several ways to access Noganosh, including two public launches west of the town of Loring, but Tornados Resort and Pine Grove Resort are my preferred options. They’re just east of Fleming Landing, and for a small fee provide a secure place to park your vehicle. They’re also nice places to spend a night before or after your trip. At Tornadoes, you can even book a bush plane into Noganosh or countless other lakes in the area.

From either resort, you launch into the Pickerel River which is simply an extension of Kawigamong Lake—named after the steamboat that worked the area lakes in the early 1900s. Paddle west for 6 km before veering south at Long Island to the first of three short portages along Smoky Creek.

kevin callan northern pike
Kevin Callan hoists a chunky northern pike from the Noganosh Provincial Park area in Northeastern Ontario. (Photo credit: Kevin Callan)

Bass, Pike and Unlimited Exploration

Noganosh is an unmaintained provincial park—which basically means it’s a free place to explore. You can spend an entire week paddling and camping on the four lakes that connect to Smoky—Noganosh, Last, John, and Mud Lakes. All as beautiful as Smoky, and all populated with monster pike and feisty large and smallmouth bass. There’s a lot of water to explore, and many appealing islands and outcrops to camp on.

I find the trick for large smallmouth is to locate semi-hidden rocky shoals on Smoky and Noganosh Lakes, casting where other anglers haven’t even considered. My preference, however, is to fish John and Mud Lakes. Massive largemouth bass and pike lurk in the weeds, and they love grabbing surface lures.

No matter which lake you choose, you can dangle your line over the canoe gunwale anywhere amongst the wilds of Loring-Restoule Region and catch a fish. This chunk of lakes, rock, and pine is an absolute dreamscape.

About Kevin Callan

Kevin Callan is the author of fifteen books, including the bestselling The Happy Camper, and a popular series of paddling guides. He has been a key speaker at all the major outdoor events for over 25 years. Callan is also a frequent guest on radio and television and a regular contributor to Explore and CanoeRoots Magazine. He is a winner of several National Magazine Awards and film awards and was listed as one of the top 100 modern-day explorers by the Canadian Geographical Society. He was also made Patron Paddler for Paddle Canada.

Recommended Articles

Top 5 Flies for Smallmouth Bass

The inside scoop on bass flies from the hosts of The New Fly Fisher.

Ontario Brook Trout

Fish these 10 sweet spots.

Top 5 Musky Destinations in Ontario

The Musky Hunter shows you where to land the best musky in Ontario waters.

3 Surefire Strategies for Canadian Muskies

Fishing for Ontario Musky

Four Seasons of Bass in Ontario

Northern Ontario is home to year-round bass.

Fishing and Foraging

Add some fresh foods and forage to your fishing adventures!

World Class Walleye

Fishing Day Trips on the Bay of Quinte

Ontario Fly Fishing Hotspots

The Top 10 List

The Eyes Have it

How to Use a Natural Resource as Bait

Lodge 88: Keeping it in the Family

Fish'n Canada host Ang Viola takes his grandson to fly-in fishing lodge Lodge 88 on Esnagi Lake.

Big Moose Camp

Fishing for Trophy Musky on Lake Nosbonsing

Top 10 Ice Fishing Lakes

Every kind of fish and experience—Ontario ice fishing is some of the best in the world.

Spanish River Resort & Campground

This phenomenal smallmouth bass fishery lies in the North Channel of Lake Huron.

Saugeen River Fishing

Great Fly Fishing Guide Trips with Grindstone Angling

10 Facts About Lake of the Woods

10 facts amazing about this massive Northwest Ontario Lake!

5 Places to Shore Fish

Fish’n Canada shows you where to go shore fishing in Ontario.

Cast Back for Giant Muskies

Some of the biggest muskies I’ve caught over the years have come on cast-back baits

Fly Fishing for Bass

Northern Ontario is the destination for incredible bass fishing.

Sweeping the Basin

October is a Great Time to Fish for Ontario Crappie

World Class Fishing on the Niagara River

There's always something to target in "Ontario's Grand Canyon"