When The New Fly Fisher asked me to pack my gear for a musky shoot at Cedar Lake Lodge in Northern Ontario’s Sunset Country, I didn’t know whether to be excited or nervous. Muskies are powerful, elusive, and downright mythical, especially on a fly rod. But I’ve always said, if it swims, it can be caught on a fly, so I accepted the challenge.
The drive north along Highway 17 through Sault Ste. Marie in Sunset Country is nothing short of stunning. After a quick fuel stop in Dryden, I rolled down a paved road to the Cedar Lake launch, where lodge owner Wade loaded my gear onto his pontoon. Ten minutes later, Cedar Lake Lodge appeared, cozy cabins, a massive dock loaded with fishing boats, and wilderness in every direction. It didn’t take long to see that this place runs like a well-oiled machine, and musky is their specialty.
My guide, Nolan, was a true musky fanatic. He knew exactly where these predators held — tight to structure and ready to ambush, and he put us on fish right away. Talking with other guests, it was clear that many anglers go self-guided and still do extremely well. Some throw flies, others use baitcasters, but everyone comes for the same reason: world-class musky. The lodge record sits just shy of 54 inches, with countless fish in the mid- to high-40s caught and seen every season.
On day one, we eased into a rocky, timber-filled bay, classic musky water. I started with a 9-weight setup, but after a few heavy casts, I knew it wasn’t enough rod for the flies or the fish. Switching to an 8.5-foot 11-weight made all the difference. The rod loaded effortlessly and had the backbone needed for these giants.
Over four days, we moved eighteen muskies, far beyond my goal of three. Six followed close enough to work them in a figure-eight beside the boat, and four ate farther out, though none stayed pinned. That’s musky fishing. Every follow felt like a win.
Cedar Lake Lodge impressed me from start to finish. Clean cabins, great boats, knowledgeable owners, and a fishery that truly earns the “world-class” label. And if musky isn’t your game, the lake is packed with big smallmouth bass, walleye, and crappie.
If you’re after a real northern escape, remote island cabins, unforgettable scenery, and the chance to chase freshwater’s ultimate predator, Cedar Lake Lodge in Ontario’s Sunset Country is the place. Wild, peaceful, and unforgettable.
