Fishing the Lake of Many Bays

A fly-in fishing adventure on Big Kaby Lake at Pine Portage Lodge

Located in Northern Ontario on Kaby (Kabinakagami) Lake, Pine Portage Lodge has been operated as a fishing lodge for over 70 years! Since the beginning, they’ve lived by the philosophy of serving those who love the outdoors.

Pine Portage Lodge is steeped in history. After returning a hero from World War II, Dick Watson Sr. opened the lodge in 1946 with just a three-room cabin. He flew 90 missions and was shot down three times while serving with the Royal Canadian Air Force.

In the decades since the lodge has expanded its operation from its humble beginnings to over 13 guest cabins and a 6,000-square-foot main lodge.

We arrived smoothly and in style on a DeHavilland Turbine Otter. Watson's Skyways offers flights to the lodge through their airbase in Wawa.

dick and edna watson

pine portage camps photo

Kaby Lake covers 30,000 acres of beautiful Ontario wilderness. The name of the lake 'Kabinakagami' comes from the Oji-Cree indigenous language which translates to the lake of many bays. The waters provide top-notch fly-in walleye fishing, as well as northern pike, whitefish, and perch. It is the largest lake in the Algoma District, with 147 islands and endless fishing. Pine Portage even offers hunting for moose, bears, and birds.

I had the opportunity to spend a few hours fishing with Betty (Watson) McGie. She knows the lake well, and it didn't take long before we were catching some nice 'eyes. She shared many amazing stories about her father and what life was like growing up in the lodge business.

2 anglers fishing walleye

Besides your favourite walleye tackle, be sure to bring your appetite. Each evening there’s a huge salad bar buffet, which features over a dozen delicious dishes like steamed mussels and bacon-wrapped dates (yum!). And no Ontario trip is complete without the obligatory shore lunch! That alone is almost worth the visit!

salad bar

appetizers

shore lunch pine portage lodge

The lodge hill provides sunset viewing and vistas you just can’t get anywhere else. And, at night, it’s like sitting in a planetarium—there’s a good chance you’ll witness the blazing greens, reds, and purples of dancing Northern Lights. Lodge founders, Dick Watson Sr. and his wife, Edna, are buried on the hill as if still smiling at the beauty of the surroundings.

What more can I say? Pine Portage Lodge is a wonderful place: awesome fishing, deluxe accommodations, stellar food, friendly people, and remarkable natural beauty. Indeed, they live up to their mission statement of serving those who love the great outdoors. I know I’d come back in a heartbeat.

And yes, I even met a few unforgettable characters—like this groundhog, which I just couldn’t resist hand-feeding! 

troy lindner and ground hog

(Photo credit: Lindner Media)
About Troy Lindner

Troy Lindner is a co-host of The Ontario Experience airing on The Sportsman Channel. He was born and raised in Minnesota, which included many travels into Ontario, Canada growing up. The son of legendary angler, Al Lindner. Troy always enjoys journeying north across the border to experience the incredible fishing of Canada. A seasoned bass tournament fisherman, he has won over 40 events, including the 2016 Wild West Bass Trail AOY. His favorite fish to catch are smallmouth bass, with muskie being a close second. And Ontario waters offer trophy fishing adventures for both of these!

Recommended Articles

Four Seasons of Bass in Ontario

Northern Ontario is home to year-round bass.

Dream Fishing Trips

These two Ontario lodges, just across the border from Minnesota, offer anglers the chance to fish multiple species.

Top 5 Musky Destinations in Ontario

The Musky Hunter shows you where to land the best musky in Ontario waters.

10 Facts About Lake of the Woods

10 facts amazing about this massive Northwest Ontario Lake!

5 Places to Shore Fish

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

Dog Lake Walleye

This lake has it all, but the incredible walleye fishing is what brought us back

Catching Ontario Walleye

Pro Tips for Bait and Walley Presentations

Top 5 Flies for Smallmouth Bass

The inside scoop on bass flies from the hosts of The New Fly Fisher.

Ontario Brook Trout

Fish these 10 sweet spots.

Top 5 Baits for Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass

What baits do you use to target bass? Find out why these 5 are the best!

3 Great Ontario Walleye Destinations

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

5 Keys To Canadian Muskies

The fish of 10,000 casts; an elusive predator fish with legend and lore.

Don’t Be Afraid Of Muskies

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

Flying in for Ontario Northern Pike

Kaby Lake is a phenomenal lake for both Walleye and Northern Pike fishing.

Musky Mayhem in the Kawarthas

Top notch musky fishing on Buckhorn Lake can be found in the heart of the Kawarthas.

Fish'n Canada in The Rough

Pete Bowman of Fish'n Canada and Keith Beasley of Canada in the Rough Pair up for Some Wild Bass Fishing

SPECTACULAR BASS

Fishing for Largemouth Bass in the Parry Sound District

The Eagle has Landed

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

Bass Abound

Fishing at Lorimer Lake Resort for Big Bass

HIdden Bay Lodge

Fly-in to Armit Lake for Epic Walleye Fishing