First Class Fishing Vacations

When people think of Ontario fishing lodges or vacations, what’s the first thing that comes to mind?

World-class fishing? Unpressured lakes and rivers? Pristine wilderness settings Memory-making trips that last a lifetime?

How about all of the above and even more!

Northern Ontario is blessed with thousands upon thousands of lakes, rivers and pristine waterways that see very little angling pressure as compared to just about anyplace else on planet Earth.

When you add the opportunity to lay your head at night on a comfortable pillow in a warm bed after a filling delicious meal at one of the many first-class angling lodges and resorts across our beautiful north country, that’s when you know you’re in a northern paradise.

Ontario boasts more than 400,000 lakes, rivers and streams - enough water to quench the thirst of even the most dedicated angler.

From fly-rodding for trout to waging war with the mighty Muskie, huge Northern Pike, cart-wheeling smallmouth bass, mouth-watering taste of fresh-caught walleye or endless populations of panfish the possibilities for first-class fishing are endless.

We have highlighted four different lodges from our personal experiences that check all the boxes above and made a lasting impression on myself and our staff during one of our many trips across Northern Ontario.

Kesagami Wilderness Lodge

World-renowned for giant Northern Pike, this five-star lodge now has some of the finest walleye fishing you will ever find anywhere across the globe.

Easy one-hundred fish days hardly raise an eyebrow during evening meals in the main lodge or afterwards enjoying some after-dinner beverages with other guests.

The walleye fishing really is THAT good.

Ontario MNR studies confirm that Kesagami Lake is among the most productive lakes in all of Canada. Outdoor writers and fishing TV hosts flock to Kesagami to film some of the best fishing that Ontario and Canada have to offer.

Nowhere are the odds of hooking a trophy fish better.

Number of trophy specimens are caught and released every day at Kesagami, and a strong catch and release program is in place to ensure that great fishing will continue in the future.

For more than twenty years Kesagami Wilderness Lodge has been extending warm, north-country hospitality to its angling guests. While at Kesagami, guests choose either private and intimate log cabins or stay in the magnificent lodge with its deluxe staterooms with private washrooms (showers, toilet).

Meals are full-course, varied, hearty and delicious and are served by Kesagami’s friendly, courteous staff. Guests still enjoy Michelbob’s world-famous ribs, thick, tender NY strip steaks, old-fashioned roast turkey with all the trimmings, juicy prime rib, mouth-watering desserts, and, of course, hearty breakfasts and memorable shore lunches. Yes, first-class all the way.

Kesagami Wilderness Lodge

Tel:1-800-253-3474

Email: fish@kesagami.com

The Outpost Lodge

Next on our list is The Outpost Lodge located in Thessalon in Algoma Country, one and one-half hours from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario off Highway 129, lodge owners since 1987, Jim and Ann Kehoe have guided many people, from beginner to expert, sharing with them their knowledge of the area's ecosystem.

You can have your choice here of HOW to fish—it's the WHERE and WHEN that they will help you with. There is fly fishing, bait fishing, trolling, spinning, and casting for smallmouth bass, walleye, whitefish, lake trout, and salmon. There are lakes, reservoirs and rivers, streams, brooks, and ponds to explore, all within a seven-mile radius.

The unique, vintage guest homes have from one to four bedrooms with combinations of single and double beds. Each has its own comfortable living room with sofas, chairs, tables, and room to relax!

You have the option to join the hosts for any meals in the main Lodge dining room plus every cottage has a well-equipped, full kitchen with a coffee maker and filters, a toaster, a microwave, a full-sized fridge and stove, and all cooking and eating utensils. All cottages have complete bathrooms with showers, tubs, and of course, lots of hot water! All have automatic heat, either propane or electric.

We personally fished a wide variety of lakes close to the lodge with excellent results chasing walleye and smallmouth bass.

Both numbers and bragging-size fish made out trips to The Outpost Lodge as good as it gets.

The Outpost Lodge

Tel: (705) 841-2518

Tel: 1-855-841-2518

Email: outpostlodge@hotmail.com

Herridge Lodge and Resort

The third location on our list is located in Northeastern Ontario, a hop skip and jump from the Toronto city limits off Highway 11 near Temagami, Ontario called Lake Herridge Lodge and Resort owned and operated by two friendly and hardworking people, Brad Ferguson and Nathalie St. Amour.

Our trip to this operator was in the middle of a hot summer heat spell, with dead calm conditions and bright bluebird skies, not the greatest walleye conditions some may say, BUT, we had a blast on one of the wilderness back lakes they provide for their guests ( with very short portages which we’re easy to navigate) catching a bunch of beautiful golden yellow walleye by slowly drifting worm harnesses along rock bars and mid-lake reefs.

Walleyes in the mid-twenty-inch class and some pushing thirty inches came to the net and we’re all released after a few photos to spawn and continue producing more and better walleye fishing for generations to come.

There are so many ways to relax here. Between the beach, the lodge, the lakes, and the woods, you'll feel your tension flowing away as the beauty of the North refreshes you. It's not just stress relief; it's renewal.

Some cottages have propane or wood-burning fireplaces. Many cottages are recently renovated or newly built.

The lodge specializes in remote lake fishing for walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, and lake trout.

You can fish on the lodge home lake, and on a chain of remote wilderness lakes accessible by short portages. These remote lakes have no cottages and no road access. The portages range from five to 10 minutes of walking time, carrying only your personal fishing gear.

They provide boats, motors, and gas on all of the remote lakes.

Lake Herridge Lodge

5760 Hwy #11 North R.R. #1 Temagami ON P0H 2H0

Tel: 705-569-3718 or 1-800-838-0891

Email: herridgelodgeresort@gmail.com

Island Lake Camp

And last, but certainly not least a location we have visited more than a few times over the past few years, again located in Northeastern Ontario just north of Marten River called Island Lake Camp situated on an unspoiled landscape on an unpressured lake that has bragging size smallmouth bass and walleyes just about everywhere and anywhere you decide to fish on the lake, it really was that fun.

As you leave Hwy. 64 and travel 3½ miles to the end of the road, you will begin a truly northern experience. When you arrive, you will find eight well-appointed, pine-decorated cottages encircling a quiet bay Island Lake (Thistle Lake), part of the Temagami Waterway System.

After you have settled in, they will take you on a tour of beautiful Island Lake. The hosts will point out the best fishing spots and recommend tackle and technique. Secluded sandy beaches, waterfalls, and their own hidden bay will beckon you. Back at camp, relax at the water’s edge, and view the glorious sunsets from your screened-in porch. When the evening turns cold, gather around the wood stove, enjoy a game of cards or open a good book.

Island Lake Camp

Field, Ontario

May – Nov. (705) 995-0026 Nov. – May (519) 574-2769

Email: islandlakecamp@xplornet.com

We have enjoyed all of the above-mentioned experiences firsthand and personally recommend each and every location to anyone who is truly looking to escape the daily rigours of our busy lives and reset and re-charge in Ontario’s beautiful, unspoiled wilderness and first-class fishing lodges and resorts.

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