Cracking the Code on Wakomata Lake: Finding Trophy Smallmouth at Snowshoe Camp Resort

From cozy lakefront cabins to 4-pound bass, Snowshoe Camp Resort is the ultimate Algoma fishing getaway.
algoma country smallmouth bass

It’s hard to exaggerate the fishing possibilities an angler can find in Algoma Country, Ontario.

With 28,000 square miles of beautiful Canadian wilderness, there are thousands of bodies of water to choose from, and the best fishing lodges or resorts anywhere.

Snowshoe Camp Resort on Wakomata Lake: A Smallmouth Bass Playground in Northern Ontario 

One of those resorts is called Snowshoe Camp Resort on Wakomata Lake, located in the heart of the beautiful Algoma and the Mississaugi Valley. Wakomata Lake is surrounded by stunning natural scenery and a variety of outdoor activities. They have huge northern pike, bass, lake trout and whitefish. Whether you're looking to relax in the peaceful setting or explore this beautiful lake, the location is perfect for fishing all year round.

snowshoe camp cabins
Photo credit: The Extreme Angler

Early-Season Smallmouth Fishing on Wakomata Lake

Our visit to Snowshoe Camp Resort was in late June at the end of the early bass season available in parts of Algoma Country, with many bass having finished their annual spawning and with recovery mode kicking in, we knew we would have to do a little scouting to find the bigger bass this lake is known for. Early morning outings were not really an option due to a cold front arriving, but enjoying a hearty breakfast in the cozy cottage was a welcome commodity in the peaceful wilderness surroundings with excellent views of the lake from the kitchen table.

Rock Points, Sunlight, and Post-Spawn Bass Behaviour

The higher the sun rose, the better the bass bite was going to be, especially near the many rocky points on Wakomata Lake.

smallmouth bass
Photo credit: The Extreme Angler

Tried some topwater, but that was a no-go. Threw the jerk bait around a while with similar results, so picked up the medium action spinning rod, rigged with a Ned rig and soft plastic crawfish imitation and began hopping the bait off bottom at each rock point I could find.

Bingo, found the bigger smallmouth bass hunkering just off bottom between 10  to 12 feet of water. The bass fought hard with only a few jumps, but finding fish was no longer an issue.

Hooked, caught and lost my share of thick-bodied Wakomata Lake smallies up to four-plus pounds and many in the three-pound range roaming the rock piles in the afternoons.

Wakomata Lake is a very clear lake and easy to navigate, with not a lot of dangerous boat navigation. Common sense and a quick rundown of the lake with the resort owners will lead you in the right direction for this lake’s bass.

snowshoe camp beach
Photo credit: The Extreme Angler

Comfortable Lakeside Cabins at Snowshoe Camp Resort

Snowshoe Camp Resort offers a range of accommodations to suit your needs. They have cozy and spacious cabins, all with wood stoves (hardwood included) for those chilly nights. The six cabins are all lake front with outdoor fire pits (softwood included), decks & BBQs. You can bring your own boat and dock for your stay right on the property. All of the cabins are equipped with modern amenities, full bath, kitchens including utensils & cookware, coffee maker and microwave.

wakomata lake
Photo credit: The Extreme Angler

Think about Snowshoe Camp Resort this year when you're making plans for your next Ontario angling vacation.

Snowshoe Camp Resort

9538b Highway 129, Thessalon, Ontario 
Web: https://snowshoecamp.com/
PH: (705) 206-0447

About Karl Kalonka

It's possible Karl's love for fishing began as early as the age of five. His parents took the kids on weekend trips across Ontario fishing for panfish, catfish, and bass. "I started with a bobber and worm from the time I was five years old," says Karl. These days, he has the enviable task of doing what he loves for a living, travelling across Ontario fishing, filming and producing two outdoor series, Extreme Angler and Crappie Angler TV.

Recommended Articles

Nipigon River Salmon

Catching chinook salmon in Northwestern Ontario with Nipigon River Adventures

5 Lakes, 4 Seasons, and Plenty of Fish

Fish TV selects their favourite lakes in Ontario.

Dive and Rise Muskies

Ontario offers the best muskie fishing anywhere—and fall is the prime time to catch your fish of a lifetime.

The Lake of Many Bays

Fly-in Fishing at Pine Portage Lodge

Don't Let the Name Perch Lake Fool You

These Northern Ontario waters are packed with northern pike like you'll never believe, abundant gourmet walleye, and yellow perch await.

Eating Northern Pike

The Best Recipe to Cook This Fish

Shield Lakes & Rivers

A Million Acres of Water. Where do You Start?

Planning for Pike

Start Planning for Trophy Fishing

Choose your Fishing Adventure: 39 Lodges Accessible by Train, Plane, Boat, and Automobile in Ontario

How will you explore the province's waterways this upcoming season?

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.

Top Ranked Flies For Catching Brown Trout

How to set up a fly rod, pick streamers, and catch some trout.

Ice, Grit, And the Glory of the Kaby Lake Pike

The weather is a relentless challenge and the fish are the ultimate reward.

Don’t Be Afraid Of Muskies

Muskies are fish of 10,000 casts and are found in large bodies of water in Northwestern Ontario.

Top 5 Baits for Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass

What baits do you use to target bass? Find out why these 5 are the best!

Top 5 Flies for Brook Trout

Favourite fly patterns from The New Fly Fisher

Fishing Esnagi Lake

Train-in Fishing at Lodge Eighty Eight

Goulais River Muskie

Excellent fishing exists within a two-mile stretch near the mouth of Lake Superior.

Ontario Brown Trout Fishing

It may be the best fishing on earth.

Snap Jig Weed Walleye

In pursuit of big walleye and smallmouth bass at Opeongo Mountain Resort.