Dogtooth Lake Resort Smallmouth

A drive-in smallmouth bass trip to remember

Most people think of Dogtooth Lake in Sunset Country, Ontario, as a trophy walleye factory, and they would be 100 percent correct. One fish species that is overlooked in this body of water is smallmouth bass. That is a big mistake!  

Dogtooth Lake is a 6,200-acre lake with many islands, rocks, submerged humps, and rocky spines that come way out into the main lake. With 167 miles of shoreline and connecting to Kilvert Lake by an easily navigable channel, adding another 2,400 plus acres of fishable gin-clear water with lots of giant boulders around every bend. Both Dogtooth and Kilvert are plumb full of smallmouth with opportunities at a big trophy brown bass with every cast.

Dogtooth-Lake-01

These lakes are obviously home to some giant walleyes, but excellent smallmouth bass, lake trout, and trophy pike fishing are a welcome addition to that fantastic walleye fishing. The smallmouth alone could wear you out. If you plan to do some multi-species fishing at Dogtooth Resort, well, you better get some rest before heading on this adventure.

On this trip, I brought along another guy that has pretty much fished everywhere in North America. Al Lindner shares my bucket list destination aspirations for both walleyes and smallmouth, which is why Dogtooth Lake was on that list for us. As I stated earlier, it’s one of those lakes famous for giant walleyes, but we also heard rumours of the quality of smallmouth fishing. So when the opportunity presented itself, we booked it.

Dogtooth-Lake-02

Dogtooth Lake Resort is an easy drive-to destination. This allowed us to bring our own boat and all the fishing equipment we wanted. During this mid-summer time frame, the smallmouth bass are generally shallow to deep and everything in between. We used several baits from #8 X-Raps, 1/4 oz. VMC Moon Eye jigs with 4” Big Bite Bait Finesse Swimmers, and for topwater presentations, we went with the Rapala Skitter Walk and X-Rap Pop as our go-to. Everything seemed to work, which is super fun when you can be versatile and successful using multiple techniques. 

It seemed whenever we looked toward the shallower spots; we would run into hoards of smallmouth bass. Any smallmouth-looking area held fish around those submerged giant boulders in the shallow bays or on rocky main lake points. Let me say, if you like lots of action with every fish pulling on your line like a 5-pounder with an excellent opportunity to tip that mark, Dogtooth Lake has it. 

Dogtooth-Lake-03

Without a doubt, you can not go to Dogtooth Lake without fishing for walleyes. And, of course, we didn’t. Al and I spent a day just chasing those big white-tipped fin marble eyes. As advertised, the day was filled with numbers in that 22-26” size with a few over the coveted 28” trophy walleye. Even one pushing 30 inches, which is relatively common on Dogtooth Lake.  

Dogtooth-Lake-04

Dogtooth Lake Resort offers first-class multi-species trophy fishing catering to the hardcore angler and those looking for a fun-filled family vacation.

When you want to get spoiled catching trophy-class fish like smallmouth bass, walleyes, northern pike, and lake trout, you make Dogtooth Lake Resort your next Ontario Experience. Be smart like us; just book it! 

About Ty Sjodin

Ty Sjodin is the co-host of The Ontario Experience airing on The Sportsman Channel, The Sportsman Channel—Canada, and the World Fishing Network (WFN).  He enjoys traveling across Ontario, experiencing everything the province and lodges have to offer—including the amazing hunting and multi-species fishing! Ty can’t remember when he wasn’t outside fishing or hunting, but it was about the same time he started to walk. He has a strong passion for the outdoors that was instilled in him by his father and has been shared with his older brother to this day. That is the same passion he now shares with his son, Tyson. Ty spent his college years earning a Business Management / Sales Degree at Bemidji State University, while feeding his obsession of being outdoors in a boat, on the ice, on his bow hunting stands, in the duck blind or shooting grouse. Getting his start in the fishing industry, Ty went to work for In-Fisherman joining the Lindner’s in 1998 to sell everything from TV, print and digital advertising as well as working with and promoting the In-Fisherman Professional Walleye Trial (PWT). After 10 years he moved on to sell TV and digital advertising in the hunting industry as well as fishing for Babe Winkelman Productions for the next 6 years. Ty has come full circle rejoining the Lindner’s once again, now at Lindner Media Productions handling the multi-media sales efforts as well as some on-camera talent.

Recommended Articles

Don't Forget The Umbrella

It's raining smallmouth bass, walleye, and northern pike here in Northern Ontario

Don’t Be Afraid Of Muskies

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

Wind, Cloud & Walleye

How Weather is Important to Walleye Anglers

Ontario Experience

Drive-to Fishing at Waterfalls Lodge

Summer Fishing Patterns for Multi-Species

Bob Izumi discusses tips for different species and how to catch them when summer temperatures soar.

Smoked Fish: A Do-It-Yourself Delicacy

Catching and eating fish from the cold, clear waters is one of the perks of living in Northern Ontario.

Wasi Lake Fishing

Fishing at Booth Landing Camping & Cottages

St. Francis Titans

Fishing the Original Muskie Capital of the World

Walleye on Lake Temiskaming

Fish'n Canada heads to Lake Temiskaming to tackle Ontario Walleye.

Best of The Musky West

Have you fished these top 3 musky lakes in Northwestern Ontario?

Beaded Lures

Find out why these chintzy plastic beads are the perfect lure.

Predicting Lake Thickness

When Will Ontario Lakes Freeze Over This Winter?

How to Get Into Fishing

You haven't gone fishing in years, how in the world would you get started?

Leuenberger Air Service Is Your Ticket to Ontario's Best Fishing

Discover remote outpost fishing for northern pike, walleye, and whitefish

Making Fishing Memories

There's no better way to start spending time with your family and friends.

Top 10 Ice Fishing Lakes

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

Guided Fishing on Lake St. Clair

Captain Jim remembers over 600 muskies in a 3 month period.

Georgian Bay Salmon and Trout Excursions

Another Ontario angling adventure for your bucket list.

10 Facts About Lake of the Woods

10 facts amazing about this massive Northwest Ontario Lake!

Ice Shelter Saviours

3 Essential Tips For Maintaining Your Shelter This Ice Fishing Season