Glen Echo's Wally World

Lake Nipissing is a must-fish destination, putting you right in the heart of the action for post-spawn walleye, pike, and big bass.
glen echo walleye

Welcome to the wonderful world of Wally World!

From the big lake north of the GTA in Northeastern Ontario, famous Lake Nipissing spring walleye are a must-fish destination for any dedicated angler across North America. This incredible fishery offers anglers and vacationing families the opportunity to share quality family time with non-stop angling adventure for a host of game fish, including bass, northern pike, huge muskies and of course, the much sought-after golden bars called walleye.

lake nipissing fishing boat
Photo credit: The Extreme Angler

Our angling adventure to Wally World was in early June, a prime time for shallow water walleye across this lake with countless reefs, shoals and rocky flats that attract both the post-spawn walleye and anglers alike.

Glen Echo Cottages: Callander’s Sheltered Basecamp for Anglers

We visited with the friendly folks at Glen Echo Cottages, located in Callander, Ontario, who operate this beautiful resort, offering quality accommodations on Lake Nipissing. They offer spacious one-, two-, three-, or four-bedroom housekeeping cottages. Of the eleven cottages, four are Executive Cottages. All Executive Cottages come with a dishwasher and have a 10′ overhang over the front deck. Guests can sit out on their large front porch, no matter the weather, and enjoy the beautiful views of the lake.

glen echo docks and cottages
Photo credit: The Extreme Angler

Guests know that Glen Echo offers one of the most sheltered locations on Lake Nipissing.

They are uniquely located in the channel to Callander Bay, directly across from Smith Island. This offers great protection from the elements. When the lake is a little choppy, guests can enjoy the calm and tranquillity of the channel or Callander Bay and still catch a variety of Lake Nipissing’s available fish species, including pike, walleye and bass.

glen echo sunset
Photo credit: Glen Echo Cottages

Walleye fishing, northern pike and bass all open for fishing on the third Saturday in May.

The last day to fish for walleye is October 15th. Muskie season opens the 3rd Saturday in June.

Double-Header Days on Nipissing’s Shallow Reefs

During our trip, the walleyes were shallow, very shallow. We fished with our buddy Josh, who also guides on the lake and decided to explore some of the shallow rocky reefs and flats that early-season walleye usually occupy, and boy did they occupy the very first spot we fished.

From the very first casts, Josh and I hooked up with double-header walleye, cast after cast for approximately one-half hour. We hooked, caught, and lost walleye after walleye; yes, it was that insanely great.

We first fished with traditional jigs and minnows, but quickly switched to 4-inch plastic twister tail jigs, then hair jigs, jerkbaits, and vibrating tail minnow baits on a one-eighth ounce jig head as we were casting to shallow rocks between six to eight feet deep and caught and released walleye up to twenty-plus inches and kept a few smaller fish for dinner.

glen echo lighthouse lake

The walleye fishing truly was incredible. The sheer amount of walleye in Lake Nipissing is incredible, thanks in part to selective harvest and proper fish management for slot sizes and creel limits. Catch and release has made this lake a ‘must fish’ destination.

Planning Your Glen Echo Fishing Getaway

The quality of Glen Echo Cottages is second to none!  All cottages come equipped with a fireplace to keep you warm on those chilly spring and fall evenings and an air conditioner, which is an absolute necessity with the extreme heat we’ve been experiencing over the last several years. The cottages have all the amenities of home: wireless internet access, 32-inch flat screen satellite TV, propane BBQ, fridge with full freezer, microwave, stove, electric toaster and a coffee maker (filters supplied). Each cottage has a complete set of pots/pans and cooking utensils as well as matching dishes, glasses and cutlery.

At Glen Echo Cottages, they are continually upgrading to provide the guests with the best cottages and boats on Lake Nipissing. The owners have worked endlessly on upgrading the boats. They offer guests the best fleet of boats on Lake Nipissing, with twenty-one boats to choose from. For those bringing their own boats, they have a convenient boat launch and plenty of docking space with over 350 feet of floating docks. No fear of shallow water.

glen echo lake sunset
Photo credit: Glen Echo Cottages

For summer guests, they are always adding to the summer toys. They have kayaks, canoes, stand-up paddle boards, a swim raft, two water trampolines, one with a slide and a 12′ Rave Saturn rocker.

Their goal is to make Glen Echo Cottages the best summer getaway for families looking for quality at an affordable price, and to enjoy the excellent fishing opportunities on Lake Nipissing.

When it comes time to choose your family or buddy fishing vacation, think of Glen Echo Cottages. The family-friendly atmosphere and fishing will have you returning to Wally World year after year.

Book Your Trip

Glen Echo Cottages 
164b Lighthouse Road, Callander, Ontario
PH: (705) 752-1118
Web:  https://glenechocottages.com 

About Karl Kalonka

It's possible Karl's love for fishing began as early as the age of five. His parents took the kids on weekend trips across Ontario fishing for panfish, catfish, and bass. "I started with a bobber and worm from the time I was five years old," says Karl. These days, he has the enviable task of doing what he loves for a living, travelling across Ontario fishing, filming and producing two outdoor series, Extreme Angler and Crappie Angler TV.

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