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

Drive-in, boat-in, fly-in, or train-in? Captains, conductors, or pilots? How will you explore waterways this upcoming season?

Have you ever wondered just how much of Ontario you’re missing out on? Fishing across this province has taught me several life lessons, the biggest being, that there are always more places to cast a line. This province has the perfect set-up for a choose-your-own-adventure type of fishing. It also has the resources to make a trip so epic, seem easy. You can go as remote as you’d like with train-in and fly-in outposts, or even campsites, to drive-in lodges that still somehow feel like you have the place entirely to yourself.

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Train-in Fishing

The list of train-in fishing outposts in Ontario isn’t as short as you’d imagine it’d be. Most of these lodges also offer fly-in options, but trains have their pros. Weather delays are less likely, and the story behind a fishing trip that begins with a train conductor? You know it’s going to be a good one.

Wabakimi Canoe Outfitters’ Allenwater Bridge Lake

Bordering Ontario’s Sunset Country and Superior Country, this once ghost town, Allanwater Bridge, is a beautiful nod to times of old. The outpost is also unique in its ability to offer room for up to 20 guests arriving by train or float plane.

Camp Lochalsh

Train-in to Camp Lochalsh or some of Loch Island Lodges’ other outposts from White River, Sudbury, or Missinabie. Three to six-night packages are available depending on what location you train-in from. It's worth noting you can also drive into Camp Localsh using private logging roads. 

Lodge Eighty-Eight’s Esnagi Lake

Train-in from White River, Missinabie, Chapleau, Cartier or Sudbury! 27 miles of open water welcome your arrival. Several packages including housekeeping and American Plan to choose from. You can also fly into Esnagi Lake. 

Wabatong Lodge

Train-in with a passenger service train that runs Tuesdays to Sundays from White River or Sudbury. You may also drive into Wabatong, but the lodge owners would like you to know the road has “character” near the end, but wildlife sightings are common! 

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Drive-in Fishing

These are the kind of trips where you become conductor, pilot and captain of your own rig. Driving has its perks, number one for me has always been I don’t have to pack light on snacks or fishing gear. You also get to take your time, stop where you’d like, leave a day early and take in the sights. Because if we know anything about Ontario, it's that between points A and B, there is much to see.

Crystal Beach Resort: Atikokan 

Smallmouth bass, lake trout, walleye and northern pike await at this deep, crystal clear, spring-fed lake! Don’t forget about ice fishing here too!

Bluffy Lake Lodge: Ear Falls 

Trophy walleye and northern pike await. You’ll find pictographs, spot wildlife, and catch fish of a lifetime on 30 miles of lake and even more water in the river system to cover!

Cygnet Lake Camp: Minaki  

Boasting an impressive walleye fishery on this 3500-acre lake, plenty of places for shorelunch and multiple species of fish just add to the pros of Cygnet Lake Camp.

Branch’s Seine River Lodge: Atikokan 

Located in the heart of thousands of lakes, you can fish a new lake every day or head out straight from camp onto the Seine River. Walleye, perch, lake trout, crappie, bass and northern pike are the staple species found in the river and its portage lakes! You can even trailer your boat to others if you so choose.

The Lodge at Red Rock: Nipigon 

Stay in the historic Quebec Lodge built closer to the turn of the last century, 1937. This lodge offers comfort with a sauna and breathtaking views of Lake Superior. Fish where the world record brook trout was once caught and explore Superior Country from this elegant home. 

Sturgeon River Outfitters: Savant Lake  

The remoteness of a fly-in can be found here at Sturgeon River Outfitters. The only man-made structure in over 20 miles of water, and it's all yours to discover. Including access to several boats to and portage in lakes along the system.

Barber’s Resort: Minaki 

Located on the famous Winnipeg River, there is everything from bass to muskie found in this water system. Access to several lakes along the river and a large, spacious home that is Barber’s Resort will make certain you never feel crowded.

Vic and Dot’s Camp: Nestor Falls 

 This cozy lodge has its own quiet back bay for you to wake up peacefully each morning, and fall asleep to the sounds of frogs and loons at night. Vic and Dot’s also operated in the winter for the famous Whitefish Bay lake trout that are so sought after.

Pasha Lake Cabins: Greenstone 

The folks at Pasha Lake Cabins consider their retreat a gateway into all things Algoma and Superior Country. With “45 lakes within 2 hours” including Lake Nipigon offer their guests something different every day if they choose.

Granary Lake Retreat: Blind River 

Retreat indeed! One of few four-season destinations found in the north, it's a year-round home base for an outdoor playground. They even have RV Spots for rent in the warmer months, if you decide to bring the camper along.

Cameron Lake Lodge: Hearst

Crystal clear waters of beautiful Cameron Lake. Nice and remote with the benefit of drive-in access. Explore this waterway in the spring for heightened shallow walleye fishing, but enjoy it all summer long for more walleye, perch and northern pike.

Cedar Rail Ranch: Thessalon 

Yup! From fishing to guided horseback trail riding, this little diamond in the rough has the makings of an ultimate summer adventure.

Hillsport Hillton Hunting and Fishing: Manitouwadge 

Spacious, bright cabins welcome you home after a day exploring, whether it's on the water or in the bush for the game. This remote gem in the Arctic watershed offers you the experience of a cast-and-blast trip if you visit in the spring or fall!

Beaverland Camp: Marten River

Perfect for the novice and experienced angler. Beaverland provides bait and tackle for guests just getting started– or if you forgot anything! But their trophy-sized fish are enough to draw the pros in for a visit.

Temagami Shores Inn and Resort: Temagami 

A great place for a family escape, with lots of games and activities to do right on the shore, but get out on the water and explore all Temagami has to offer!

Lost Lake Lodge: Gowganda 

Known by their repeat customers for their amazing home cooked meals and often homemade goods. This lodge has comfort down to an art even if you choose a housekeeping plan and bring your own food.

Boat-In-muskie-fishing-grassy-narrows-lodge

Boat-in Fishing

Travelling by the water to where you’re planning on fishing gives the start of the trip a different edge. On your way into the lodge, you’re already planning all of the spots you plan to fish, noting points here, and sandy shore lunch spots there. Whether you have your own boat or require a boat rental for the week, boat-in lodges still offer the remote feel without the fly-in weight limits.

Grassy Narrows Lodge: Morson 

Grassy Narrows Lodge may be situated on one of the largest lakes in Ontario, however, once you arrive at the quiet back corner bay that camp is settled on, you’ll feel like the lake is yours. You need not go far for the camp has multiple nearby walleye honey holes and muskie have been caught right around the corner. I should know.

Ellen Island Camp: Haileybury 

Explore the wonder of Lady Evelyn Lake and stay in comfort on this beautiful island location. Guests are boated in if they do not own their own, and you’re able to rent a boat and motor during your stay.

Eagle Lake Island Lodge: Eagle River

This 5-star resort on the famous waters of Eagle Lake offers all-inclusive pricing for their guests. Catch several walleye and smallmouth bass, or challenge yourself to land an Eagle Lake muskie or pike. The good food and company in the main hall at the end of the day will make the lodge feel like your second home.

White Pine Lodge: Haileybury 

Semi-remote water access will bring you to this beautiful lodge on the Montreal River. Several packages are available for large groups and families visiting the lodge. 

Women River Camp & Outposts: Ear Falls

This lodge is not a boat-in Lodge. However, it has perfected the angle on additional adventure with its “remote wilderness adventure” packages. Pick a lake and give one of these adventures a go during your stay!

Angler’s Kingdom: North of Red Lake 

Five-star fishing lodge with the remoteness of a fly-in. Fish Nungesser Lake, is famous for its trophy-sized pike and walleye. Its remote sandy beach basecamp will surprise you!

Camp Narrows Lodge: Rainy Lake 

Catch the walleye, crappie, bass and northern pike of your dreams at this remote but not rugged boat-in camp on Rainy Lake. Docks right at the door of your cabin make this lodge uniquely tailored to get you on the water as often and as fast as possible.

Lost Island Lodge: Hudson 

An American plan lodge on Lac Seul with all the amenities and homecooked meals you could desire after your day of pursuing Lac Seul’s famous walleye, pike, muskie and bass!

Winoga Lodge: Sioux Lookout 

Located in one of the epicentres of angling in Sunset Country, aside from their main lodge location, Winoga Lodge also offers several other boat-in and fly-in outposts on lakes with muskie, pike, walleye, lake trout, bass– you name it.

The Sanctuary Resort: Sioux Narrows 

Access their private launch south of Sioux Narrows, launch (or arrange a shuttle) across the beautiful Whitefish Bay where you’ll find yourself arriving at the dock of The Sanctuary Resort. Rent a boat, hire a guide, and enjoy yourself in this peaceful setting on Lake of the Woods. Nightly rates apply which may add flexibility for those who cannot stay a week.

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Fly-in Fishing

The quintessential Canadian fishing experience in a lot of people's eyes is a fly-in. The fishing tourism industry as we know it today owes a lot to those trusty float planes. Reconnaissance and supply planes after the war turned adventure-tourism vessels, who saw that coming? I can bet the odd angler that flew in those planes admiring the lakes below with wanderlust had a lot to do with their turnaround from utilitarian into tourism. Although fly-in travel plans may seem far-fetched or pricey, they are actually more affordable than people think, and still just as magical. Please note that all locations are of their air bases, not necessarily where you will be flown to.


Troutfly Lake Outpost  

Double headers of lake trout, walleye, pike and whitefish await. This untouched wilderness outpost is just that– pure. Crystal clear waters you can see from satellite imagery and portage brook trout ponds make this place truly magical.

Latreille Lake Lodge: Vermilion Bay 

Fly into Latreille Lake Lodge where there are an abundance of other lakes attached and a short portage away from the lodge to enjoy. Also check out their outpost camps. Senior citizens enjoy a discounted rate!

Northwest Flying Inc: Nestor Falls 

You can choose between five different outpost camps, or if you really want to rough it, enjoy a fly-in camping experience. You also have the choice between muskie, pike, walleye, bass or lake trout lakes!

Delaney Lake Lodge: Kenora 

Access to Delaney Lake, the English River and several other portage lakes puts you in the middle of the fishing action. Muskie, walleye, giant northern pike, walleye and lake trout are all at your disposal. When looking at their website, be sure to check out their mouth-watering food photos.

Alexander’s On Rowan: Nestor Falls 

Nestled on the clear waters of Rowan Lake, Alexander’s on Rowan has beautiful cabins and a cozy main lodge where they offer both American Plan and Housekeeping. They also have two additional outpost cabins near enough to the main lodge for convenience but far enough to feel you’re the only ones out there. Known for their trophy muskie and abundant lake trout, Rowan and its portage lakes also offer a lot for bass anglers to enjoy!

Kabeelo Lodge: Ear Falls

Boasting 13 fly-in lakes on their roster, Kabeelo Lodge also has a drive-in lodge on Confederation Lake where you will start your adventure. This lodge uniquely offers honeymoon packages for die-hard angling couples, Kabeelo Lodge strongly believes couples who fish together, stay together.

Kesagami Wilderness Lodge: Cochrane 

This sub-arctic location can only mean one thing. Adventure is amiss. Fly into the James Bay Basin and be transported to another world with bigger skies than the prairies, and the chance to see caribou and other wildlife lingering along the shores. Fish well, eat well, and be well at Kesagami Wilderness Lodge.

Air Cochrane: Cochrane  

You’ll find a great variety of fish species Ontario has to offer through Air Cochrane’s many outpost camps. Brook trout, walleye, northern pike, perch and lake trout are all on the docket. Stay at one of their outposts, including Mikwam Lake which is new to the lodge as of 2025 and has three lakes to access right there!

Air Ivanhoe: Foleyet

Several outposts (seriously, a lot!) are available depending on how many days you’d like to be fishing. All cabins boast hot and cold running water and a major plus is their accessibility to the docks and water. Those who have mobility issues will be more at home with these easy cabin-to-boat commutes.

WABAKIMI-OUTFITTERS

Where will you go this season?

Asking yourself some questions may help you decide where and how you’re getting on the water this year. 

  • How many days can you jet off for? Many? Then pick your poison! 
  • Do you want to bring your own boat? Yes? Sounds like a drive-in or boat-in is for you.
  • How BIG do you want this adventure to be? Big? Any remote location in Ontario can offer adventure 
  • Are you able to pack a bit lighter than usual? Yes? Book that fly-in or train-in!
  • Do you feel like cooking and doing dishes? No? An American plan lodge is your answer.

Budget may play a big part in where you end up this year, but with the right amount of research, you’d be surprised just how affordable some of the “inaccessible and remote” places are. 

There's also plenty to be said about how remote the drive-in locations can feel as well, without having to pack light. There are pros and cons to each adventure, and if we’re being honest, any location in northern Ontario can become an adventure destination.

About Alyssa Lloyd

Alyssa Lloyd is a photojournalist based out of Kenora working with Ontario's Sunset Country. The outdoors has been the center of her work and personal life for as long as she can remember. As an angler, Alyssa spends most of her time chasing multiple species on both conventional and fly gear. 

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