The Outpost Lodge

Located in “Trophy Alley,” this lodge is ideal for anglers looking for a wide variety of fishing opportunities

Algoma Country is well known for its outdoor wilderness opportunities. From kayaking to hiking to fishing and hunting, its beautiful landscapes provide the perfect setting for whatever the outdoor enthusiast's heart desires. As well as its abundance of inland rivers, creeks, and lakes, the Algoma region also borders two of Ontario’s Great Lakes: Huron and Superior. However, if you’re on the hunt for massive smallmouth bass, you needn’t look any further than The Outpost Lodge, which is located in “Trophy Alley”— an area of phenomenal fishing in lakes and rivers to the west, east and north of Sault Ste. Marie.

outpost-lodge1

The Outpost Lodge is within a two-hour drive of the US-Canada border and is ideal for anglers who are looking for a wide variety of fishing opportunities within a short drive of a main lodge. Whether you’re looking to bring your boat and cook with your buddies or want the full-service meal deal, the lodge has options suited to everyone’s preferences and budgets.

outpost-lodge2

Originally built in the 1950s by a professor at the University of Chicago, this lodge has faithfully retained its historic architecture and is filled with relics of anglers who fished there in the past. Current owners Jim and Anne Keyhoe are exceptionally knowledgeable about this history, as well as the current state of the fishing there, and enthusiastically entertain guests with their passion.

outpost-lodge3

The area surrounding the Outpost Lodge boasts a variety of fish species, including northern pike, walleye, trout, largemouth bass, and the lodge’s proudest boast—massive smallmouth bass. Walk and wade opportunities are plentiful in the streams and creeks, while many of the surrounding lakes provide the perfect opportunity for boat fishing.

outpost-lodge4

In preparation for a trip to the Outpost Lodge, I would suggest keeping the motto “Always Be Prepared” in mind. Bring 5 and 6 weight rods for bass, 4 or 5 weight rods for trout, and 8 weight rods for pike. You’ll also need a variety of fly lines—intermediate, floating, and sink-tip options, depending on the time of year, weather and species.

outpost-lodge5

In my experience fishing this area for bass, Woolly-Buggers are the prime fly choice. I am particularly fond of rabbit strip versions of this versatile pattern, as well as beaver and tan and olive sparkle variants. Other patterns, such as bass poppers work well, but Woolly Buggers are the tops.

outpost-lodge6

Not surprisingly, this area is a favourite of fly anglers due to the variety of possibilities, the gorgeous landscape, and the dream of landing a trophy-sized fish. Whether you’re fishing one of the local streams for trout, or a nearby lake for bass, The Outpost Lodge is an accessible, budget-friendly choice for any angler.

Contact Information

The Outpost Lodge
8572 Hwy 129
Thessalon, Ontario P0R 1L0
Phone: 705-841-2518
Toll-Free: 1-855-841-2518
Email: outpostlodge@hotmail.com
Web: www.outpostlodge.com

About Mark Melnyk

Currently, Mark is the host and producer of The New Fly Show. With a passion of fly fishing, the shows goal is to help both novice and veteran fly fishers everywhere by giving them a top-quality fly fishing series that will make them better anglers. 

Recommended Articles

Choose your Fishing Adventure: 39 Lodges Accessible by Train, Plane, Boat, and Automobile in Ontario

How will you explore the province's waterways this upcoming season?

French River Fever

This waterway is rich in lunge lore, having produced muskies in excess of 60 pounds.

5 Lakes, 4 Seasons, and Plenty of Fish

Fish TV selects their favourite lakes in Ontario.

Cedar Lake Skies

Cedar Lake Lodge is home to big muskies.

Top 10 Streamers for Ontario Brook Trout

Big Brook Trout get that way by eating lots of smaller fish which is why streamers work well.

World Class Muskie at Young's Wilderness Camp

Lake of The Woods for Muskie and Walleye

Bob Izumi searches for bass and pike

Fishing unfamiliar territory, Bob Izumi lands monster smallies and Northern pike

Wind, Cloud & Walleye

How Weather is Important to Walleye Anglers

Topwater Bass

Targeting Spring Bass at Dog Lake Resort

Wild Brook Trout

Remote Outpost Fishing on Pinei Lake

Catch, photo, release

Save Your Fishing Memories With These Photo Tips

Pine Sunset Lodge

Walleyes and slabs of Dinorwic Lake

Ontario Carp Championship

Is Ontario the Carp fishing capital of the world?

Best WhiteFish Tactics

In Part Two, Learn Best Rods, Reels and Lure Presentations for Whitefish

World Class Walleye Fishing at Vermilion Bay Lodge

Eagle Lake has over 68,000 acres of clear Canadian Shield waters with world-class walleye and muskie.

Birch Bark Lodge

A Slice of Heaven on Wigwascence Lake

Making Mistakes with Muskie on the Fly

What I learnt the hard way chasing muskie on the fly

Basin-Shape Walleye

Learn this proven technique to catch more walleye when ice fishing in Northern Ontario.

Bear Creek Bruisers

Fishing Musky on Lake Nipissing

Striker's Point Lodge

Hungry Walleyes and Big Pike on Whitewater Lake