Crane's Lochaven Wilderness Lodge

Fishing for Muskie on the French River

The winding rivers and scenery around Crane's Lochaven Wilderness Lodge reminded me of the award-winning film, The Revenant. The French River has such a deep history. The Ojibwe named it so, because of the many explorers from France, as it was a major trade route for both furs and logging. The French River flows from Lake Nipissing to the Georgian Bay of Lake Huron. Crane's is located just about in the middle of this amazing river system, just four and a half hours north of Toronto. The lodge is on a 4-square-mile island with six different whitewater rapids close by.

cranes-lochaven-photo1
(Photo credit: Lindner Media)

Ed and Sue Crane currently run the establishment, owned and operated by the Crane family since 1973. Sue first met Ed on a fishing vacation to the lodge; she hired Ed as a fishing guide, which eventually led to marriage. Now very much a member of the Crane Family, Sue runs the books and manages the kitchen; Ed is responsible for the buildings and machinery.

cranes-lochaven-photo2
(Photo credit: Lindner Media)

All 15 fully serviced private log cabins have spectacular views of the French River and private sundecks. There will even be a welcome bottle of their own private label wine awaiting your arrival! All cabins have automatic heat and bathrooms with hot and cold running water. Cottages range in size from one bedroom with a sitting area to six bedrooms with two living rooms. Our cabin was right on the river, which made for screen saver-worthy mornings with the fog. I even caught smallmouth fishing off our cabin's dock!

cranes-lochaven-photo3
(Photo credit: Lindner Media)

They are some outstanding fishing opportunities here. Walleye, smallmouth, and muskie are the most sought-after by guests. The day before we arrived, Dan Lukasiewicz landed a 54 1/4-inch lodge record muskie! You should see the video of this beast when the episode airs on The Sportsman Channel. He and his father make the trip there from New York every summer! Though I didn't get a giant like that, we caught lots of walleyes, smallmouth, pike, and even a nice Ontario largemouth bass! For the record, I did catch a (small and beautifully patterned) muskie. Before dinner, everyone gathers at the Boathouse to swap stories and hear how their day went. Besides fishing, you can also enjoy hiking, kayaking, and canoeing around the area.

cranes-lochaven-photo4
(Photo credit: Lindner Media)

The Full American Plan Package includes all meals, a boat, a motor, unlimited gas, ice, live bait, dock service, and fish cleaning. Breakfast and dinner are served in the dining lounge, with a choice of lunch in the dining room or box lunch, or shore lunch with your guide. Guests also enjoy a weekly fish fry and BBQ on the front deck. This is a great time, with live music, new friends, and delicious fresh fish, fries, beans, and barbequed ribs!

There is a big "rec cabin" to unwind in. It features a 6x12' snooker table for evening fun. The ceiling and walls around the billiards room and great room (with a stone fireplace) are adorned with hundreds of hats left by guests as a token of appreciation. I did end up leaving my Go Fish Ontario visor on the famous beaver (long story with this, maybe another time). I'll be back again and bring another hat to hang. What a fun time we had there! Last but not least, I have to include a photo of the friendly lodge dogs hard at work, guarding the property...

cranes-lochaven-photo5
(Photo credit: Lindner Media)
cranes-lochaven-photo6
(Photo credit: Lindner Media)
cranes-lochaven-photo7
(Photo credit: Lindner Media)

For more information visit: www.craneslochavenlodge.com

About Troy Lindner

Troy Lindner is a co-host of The Ontario Experience airing on The Sportsman Channel. He was born and raised in Minnesota, which included many travels into Ontario, Canada growing up. The son of legendary angler, Al Lindner. Troy always enjoys journeying north across the border to experience the incredible fishing of Canada. A seasoned bass tournament fisherman, he has won over 40 events, including the 2016 Wild West Bass Trail AOY. His favorite fish to catch are smallmouth bass, with muskie being a close second. And Ontario waters offer trophy fishing adventures for both of these!

Recommended Articles

10 Facts About Lake of the Woods

10 facts amazing about this massive Northwest Ontario Lake!

Top 10 Fly Patterns for Brook Trout

Learn Brook Trout Fly Pattern Choices for Surface Fly Fishing

Buck Lake Lodge

Fishing Walleye at Witches Nose

Top 5 Flies for Smallmouth Bass

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

Spring Fishing Tips For Any Angler

Increase your chance of fishing success

Fishing and Foraging

Add some fresh foods and forage to your fishing adventures!

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 Musky Destinations in Ontario

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

Eating Northern Pike

The Best Recipe to Cook This Fish

Top 5 Tips To Fish Smallmouth Bass in Ontario

Ontario has some of the top smallmouth bass opportunities. in the world.

Ontario Brook Trout

Fish these 10 sweet spots.

Top 5 Baits for Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass

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

Smallmouth Bass With Still Water Fishing and Tours

For the pike and musky anglers, Lake Huron really shines bright.

Steelhead of the Upper Ganaraska

Known to most trout and salmon anglers as one of Ontario’s most popular fishing destinations.

The Tigers of Sunset Country

The most picturesque of all freshwater fish.

Walleye on Lake Temiskaming

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

Big Boat Portaging

Fishing on Lady Evelyn Lake in Northeastern Ontario

3 Great Ontario Walleye Destinations

Karl of Extreme Angler recommends must do walleye lakes in Ontario.

Lake Temagami Fishing

Sharpshooting Trophy Lake Trout At Loon Lodge.

In Search of Brookies

Fly Fishing at Esnagami Wilderness Lodge