This was the first time I’d experienced staying on a houseboat, and I wasn’t really sure what to expect. Well… it was a lot of fun, and I’m already looking forward to another stay, hopefully next summer. The main dock is located on Lac Seul, which is a massive body of water located in Ontario's Sunset Country. The great thing about booking a houseboat is that you can be placed in a section of the lake where the bite is happening right outside your door. I even caught a few pike fishing off the back deck! The fall bite was just starting. We were there in mid-September, and the weather can be unpredictable, so be prepared for cold and rain is very important. Bring warm clothes... and also some sunscreen! It can be in the 50s or up in the 80s. Unlike a fly-in trip, you have a lot of room for equipment, tackle, food, and clothing on a houseboat! No need to travel light.
We had a group of six people, and our main target was muskie. But walleye, smallmouth bass, and pike were also on the radar. Lac Seul is a world-class fishery for both numbers and size. Cousin James and I, along with Nick Goll, were filming for The Ontario Experience. Jeremy Smith, Pete Przepiora, and Pete Palony were filming for Angling Edge. Both TV episodes aired in the Spring of 2020. We had a few solid northern pike, but Jeremy landed a monster! It was one of the biggest he had caught in a very long time. That’s a nice bonus when you’re muskie fishing on Lac Seul; you have the chance to hook into gigantic pike. For the muskie…. well… I was able to hook and land my personal best! This is a fish that will be remembered all my life. And if you’re looking for the muskie (or pike) of a lifetime, this is the trip for you! Side note, we did get into some great smallmouth fishing, with 3- to 4-pounders being the average size.
For our meals, we brought along steaks, chicken, snacks, and seasoning for fresh-caught walleye. The group dinner at night after a long day of fishing was definitely a highlight, sharing stories of the day and gathering a plan for the next day of fishing. If you like a good shore lunch, there are plenty of locations all over the lake to pull up and prepare one. The spot where our houseboat was beached actually had a great little fire pit perfect for this. Fishing, food, and friends!
The interior of the 68-foot boat was very spacious, even with all the production equipment on board. There were numerous bunk beds, two bathrooms (one with a shower), a nice dining area, and plenty of kitchen space. In the summertime, the roof makes a perfect place to grab some rays or watch the sun set. Sioux Lookout Floating Lodges offers three different size options: 50 feet (sleeps 4-6 people), 60 feet (sleeps 6-8 people), and 68 feet (sleeps 8-12 people). They are all equipped with a generator, gas grill, water heater, ice chest, cooking and eating utensils, and a 16' Lund Fishing Boat complete with a 15-hp Honda and paddles. Additional fishing boats can be rented depending on availability.
If you’re looking for a truly unique Ontario Experience for you and your family and friends, then look into Sioux Lookout Floating Lodges.
