Pike and Walleye on A Fly

In Algoma Country, there are some great fly fishing opportunities for numerous warm-water and even cold-water species.

One of our favourite locations is Lodge Eighty Eight on Esnagi Lake. Easy access to wilderness fishing is one of the biggest reasons why anglers love this lodge. You can fly in on a floatplane from White River, or take the train if you don’t like to fly. Either way, it’s a short and easy trip to arrive at the lodge, which is located in an area with excellent northern pike and walleye fishing. Esnagi Lake is 27 miles long and is filled with excellent bays, islands, and shoals for great fishing and exploring.

white river air floatplane

The big pike here holds tight to emerging or established weed beds and near structures such as beaver lodges, fallen trees, and rocky points. The best time to fish for them on Esnagi Lake is May through to early July when they are still in relatively shallow water, which is perfect for fly fishers. Even the walleye can be easily caught in 6 to 12 feet of water near weed beds and rocky points.

angler holding northern pike

The lodge has great boats for fly fishers with wide bottoms and good casting decks. Esnagi Lake is large and thankfully, Lodge Eighty Eight has guides available who can be hired for a day or two to show you the best hot spots. Lodge Eighty Eight has both housekeeping and full American plans to meet your needs. The main lodge has a pool table, full bar, and TV area with satellite connections so you won’t miss that important game! The lodge features cabins and rooms that are large and spacious for your fly fishing equipment.

Casting large-sized poppers in black, purple, or yellow close to weed edges can produce some spectacular results. Based on the mood of the pike, we recommend you experiment with retrieve speeds and styles to find what works. Top streamers for the pike are deceivers, bunny leeches, and other large patterns that imitate whitefish, walleye, or perch. For the walleye, use streamers on the weed edges or near rocky shorelines. Woolly Buggers in tan, black, or medium brown are great choices as are white Zonkers or Murdich Minnows coupled to sink-tip or intermediate fly lines.

netted brook trout

We recommend you bring 8- to 9-weight rods in 9-foot lengths with fast actions to help facilitate casting large streamers or poppers to the pike or walleye. Leaders for pike should be 4 to 6 feet in length with a 24-inch wire bite tippet in a 20- to 30-pound strength. For the walleye, standard leaders of 9-foot lengths with a 2x tippet are perfect for connecting woolly buggers and other flies.

Lodge Eighty Eight is an outstanding fly fishing destination that offers wilderness fishing for northern pike and walleye, with great access options and affordable pricing. As an added bonus, they also have access to some good brook trout fishing on a local lake! We strongly recommend you give them a call!

lodge eighty eight dock

BOOK THIS TRIP

Lodge Eighty Eight
PH: (705) 812-1624
Website: http://lodgeeightyeight.com

(All photo credits: The New Fly Fisher TV Show)
About Colin McKeown

Colin McKeown is the producer of The New Fly Fisher Television Series, and several documentary series for the Outdoor Life Network, the Discovery Channel and the History Channel. With a passion of fly fishing, Colin's 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. Known for his keen sense of humour, Colin has two wonderful children and is married to the most understanding and patient woman in the world. 

Recommended Articles

Pike Aplenty

How to select the right spot to catch pike in late fall fishing in Ontario.

Perfect Shore Lunch

Try This Award-Winning Recipe

Don’t Be Afraid Of Muskies

Muskies are fish of 10,000 casts and are found in large bodies of water in Northwestern Ontario.

5 Places to Shore Fish

Fish’n Canada shows you where to go shore fishing in Ontario.

Double Trouble for Fall Crappies

Check out this expert trick

3 Great Ontario Walleye Destinations

Karl of Extreme Angler recommends must do walleye lakes in Ontario.

Fishing Northern Lights Country

Whitefish Lake is Great for Adventuring Angler

Big Moose Camp

Fishing for Trophy Musky on Lake Nosbonsing

Multi-Species Action

With so many lakes in Ontario, it's hard to narrow down the best multi-species lakes. We're here to help!

Top Three Ontario Musky Waters

Where to catch the fish of 10,000 casts.

Become a World-class Fishing Guide

Misconceptions, behind-the-scenes intel, and key tips from a professional guide.

Four Seasons of Bass in Ontario

Northern Ontario is home to year-round bass.

Chasin’ Fall Critters

Casting or trolling, what's best for musky?

St. Francis Titans

Fishing the Original Muskie Capital of the World

Eating Northern Pike

The Best Recipe to Cook This Fish

Predicting Lake Thickness

When Will Ontario Lakes Freeze Over This Winter?

Top 10 Ice Fishing Lakes

Every kind of fish and experience—Ontario ice fishing is some of the best in the world.

The Eagle has Landed

If you're looking to make your Ontario fishing dreams come true, this is the place to do it.

10 Facts About Lake of the Woods

10 facts amazing about this massive Northwest Ontario Lake!

Igniting the Spark

Don't Overlook Carp Fishing in Ontario