We may not have found the Loch Ness Monster, but we sure found a place in Ontario’s untamed wilderness, on an island no less, that is like an oasis in the middle of nowhere. That was the first impression we got when our cedar strip boat came within view of the island landing, offering us the first view of Loch Island Lodge in Ontario’s Algoma Country.
These lodge owners have invested a lot of time and effort to make this oasis an angler dream with the camp layout, and classic Canadian cabins that are clean, and spacious and surround the island with privacy amongst the trees.
Centrally located on the southern half of Wabatongushi Lake, this 2.5-acre island is the perfect location for your wilderness vacation. The island lies directly in front of the only outflow of water from Wabatongushi Lake, which runs south past a small stop log dam and spills through rapids into Glasgow Lake, about a half-mile from Loch Island.
The island generates its electricity 24 hours a day, with a full-time staff ready to attend to any needs you may have. Satellite-based WiFi has been recently upgraded this season and covers the whole island. A walkway connects Loch Island to a smaller, secluded island. Here you’ll find a fire pit for nighttime bonfires and the perfect spot for star gazing. It also faces north, giving you a front-row seat for observing the Northern Lights!
Loch Island offers something for all— whether your interests are fishing, swimming, kayaking, hiking, or just relaxing. With its exceptional service and deluxe accommodations, it will continue to provide pleasant wilderness vacation memories for years to come.
Our goal was to catch some walleye for a shore lunch that the lodge shares with the entire camp guests on another isolated island with a team of hard-working folks who prepare everything and await the guest’s arrival right at lunchtime.
We had the pleasure of fishing with a lodge guide named Carley Wilson, she put us on the walleye first thing on day one of our trip by slowly drifting close to sharp rock walls with curly tail grubs and three-inch bright coloured minnow style body baits.
On day two of our adventure to Loch Island, we portaged to a smaller lake in search of early-season smallmouth bass and literally had the entire lake to ourselves, now that is priceless! Loch Lomond is home to walleye, northern pike, whitefish, perch and smallmouth bass. It is a two-and-a-half-mile-long lake which has both shallow weedy areas and deep-water drop-offs. In the center of the lake is a large island covered by cedar trees. Loch Lomond is fed by rapids from Glasgow Lake and drains via the Lochalsh River into Dog Lake.
We began to snap jigging tube jigs along the first breaks offshore between eight to twelve feet of water and started catching some very nice dark-coloured walleye, one after another, a very nice surprise.
As the day wore on and the sun rose and warmed up the shallow rocks and sand bar points, the bigger smallmouth bass began smashing our loud topwater body baits and soft-bodied swim baits cast as close to shore as possible.
We enjoyed the catch and release season they have in Algoma and released each bass back to the exact same locations as they were caught.
You will never go hungry at this lodge with the American plan.
Breakfast and dinner are served at Loch Island Lodge only, but you can boat over from other locations if desired. The All Inclusive (American Plan) is unbeatable in both service and value. You literally don’t have to think about anything except where you’re going to fish and when to take that nap. All meals are provided, including a full breakfast, Shore Lunch prepared by our guides or a boxed lunch (your choice), and a hearty dinner topped off with a delectable dessert. They provide all live bait (worms and minnows).
The first day you arrive, your guide will escort you to where the fish have been hitting and demonstrate the techniques that are working now — not last year. This service is invaluable for new guests who may not be familiar with the lake.
All your catch, whether for take-home or a snack at camp, is cleaned by our guides upon your arrival back at the lodge. This is truly a package worth considering for those who really need to unwind.
We highly recommend this island oasis to anyone who enjoys the solitude of the wilderness with the comforts and meals of home, consider Loch Island Lodge when you’re booking your next vacation in Northern Ontario.
lochisland.com/information
Tel: 1-888-635-1996 or (906) 635-1996
