Discover The Slate Falls Outposts: Arc Lake Outpost

Slate Falls Outposts have several locations for the quintessential wilderness escape! Nestled in Northern Ontario's untouched landscapes, they offer a blend of fishing adventures with some comforts of home. Situated within the scenic Miniss River system, Arc Lake Outpost offers an idyllic retreat for anglers of all ages. Whether you’re travelling with old fishing friends or your immediate family, this slice of heaven is worth looking into. The airbase in Sioux Lookout is just a 3 1/2 hour drive north of the border from International Falls, Minnesota. Owner Ryan Runge makes sure your trip is smooth from start to end. The float planes they use are pristine, making the flights in and out very comfortable. We stopped by the airbase the day before to meet up. He went over the map and marked several different spots for both walleye and pike. The boats at the outpost are perfect for roaming the river system, which is fairly easy and safe to navigate.

Ryan flew in with us as we made a brief stop at Carling Lake Outpost. The guests there needed a refill on their bait, as they were catching so many fish. The fishing there is mainly for pike and walleye, and with the depths reaching nearly 120 feet, there are lake trout roaming around too. This location was upgraded during renovations in the summer of 2020. It features a main cabin, a side bunkhouse and probably the most unique outhouse I’ve ever seen with an upside-down boat as the roof.

Arriving at Arc Lake Outpost

This outpost can accommodate 4 - 8 people in the main cabin, along with more room for 2 - 3 people in the back bunkhouse. The full kitchen, with all the utensils and cookware, makes breakfast and dinner a breeze. We prepped lunch each day to enjoy out on the water. For dinner, it’s tough to beat freshly caught walleye after a fun day of fishing. There’s a BBQ and propane cooker on the deck for grilling steaks and frying fillets. The addition of a box freezer was great for having ice in the Maluna cooler while fishing in the summer sun. And the indoor heated shower is a big bonus. Having the option for Starlink Internet is also a nice touch. This is optional. It’s great to be off-grid all day out on the water enjoying the unspoiled wilderness of Ontario’s Sunset Country and returning to the cabin knowing you can stay in touch with friends and family. 

Fishing at Arc Lake

Even in the heat of summer, the walleye bite all day up there! That’s a nice thing about getting away to a place like Arc Lake. The fish have no problem biting during bankers' hours. Whenever you decide to venture out, the fish are feeding. Arc Lake is filled with near endless walleye, hundred fish days! This type of action keeps the excitement and enjoyment up throughout the entire time on the water. Pick any rocky point, and it’s a good bet you’ll get bit in no time. Ryan offers the option to rent a portable sonar unit, which can be handy. The best bait for walleye was simply a 1/4-oz VMC Moon Eye jig and a 3- to 4-inch swimbait. Casting this on a 7-foot Medium Lite/Fast and Medium/Fast Power Trika rod paired perfectly. We didn’t use any live bait or stainless steel leaders for the walleye. An 8- to 10-pound fluorocarbon leader worked great. Pretty much every spot we stopped for walleye, produced a bite. The biggest walleye was around 22 inches. For northern pike, swimbaits and inline spinners were the go-to’s for getting bit. 

Snap jigging 3/8- to 3/4-oz VMC Boxer jigs with 5- to 6-inch swimbaits was the best presentation for pike. We threw these on a 7-foot 3-inch Medium/Fast and 7-foot 3-inch Medium Heavy/Fast Trika bait casting rod. Fishing in and around cabbage beds was key for the pike. Other options are #5 and #6 blade in-line spinners, which are pretty much a sure bet for pike anywhere in Canada. Overall, the fishing was so good-catching a ton of fish for the TV episode, Justin was able to put the big camera down making some casts every day. One afternoon, we trekked through a portage for non-stop walleye while fishing from a giant boulder below an outflow. On the final day, he ended up catching his personal best northern pike! What a memorable trip. 

Plan Your Visit to Sunset Country's Arc Lake Outpost Today

If you’re looking for a fun fly-in adventure, first-class service, off-the-grid outpost comfort with endless walleye mixed in with big pike…Arc Lake Outpost is a place worth checking out.

For more information on Slate Falls Outposts - Arc Lake Outpost, please visit www.slatefallsoutposts.com

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