Surface Sizzle Smallmouth

Fireside Lodge on Little Vermillion Lake is a place truly far and beyond any ordinary resort.

They say where there is smoke, there is fire, but this kind of fire is exceptionally HOT! I'm talking about the incredible fishing on Little Vermillion Lake in Northwest Ontario in Sunset Country at Fireside Lodge.

This place is truly beyond just an ordinary resort.

From the moment we arrived at Fireside Lodge, we got the impression these folks were as serious about the fishery as they were about catering to their guests’ every wish for an unforgettable wilderness lodge experience.

fireside lodge aerial

Lodge owners and hosts Alan, Audrey, and staff sure know how to make people feel relaxed and well-fed, but I'm getting ahead of myself. I'll mention the incredible meals soon enough.

The lodge is located on Little Vermillion Lake, which is the largest of an eleven-lake system, approximately 16 miles long. It is a long, narrow body of water with an upper and lower section. These spring-fed waters are deep and cold with numerous bays, reefs, shoals, and deep weed beds that have created an excellent fish-holding structure. The lake forage consists of whitefish, cisco, suckers, perch, various minnow life and crawfish, an absolute smorgasbord for the trophy smallmouth bass, northern pike, and musky that call these waters home.

fireside lodge lake view

Fireside Lodge has a strict catch and release program that protects this trophy resource and combined with all of the above-mentioned forage base, fish habitat, and literally unpressured waters, Fireside Lodge and Little Vermillion Lake offer its guests some of the best sportfishing Canada has to offer, year after year!

karl kalonka 2 smallmouth bass

The lodge has new modern log cabins that are nestled amongst the trees on the waterfront and are furnished like condos on the inside, providing a comfortable home-away-from-home atmosphere. With the American Plan, guests enjoy hearty home-cooked meals in the friendly atmosphere of the dining room in the main lodge while sharing stories of the day with other guests.

fireside lodge cabins
fireside lodge dining room
fireside lodge room

Ok, now about the meals. Absolutely mouth-watering.

The American Plan offers a breakfast that is completely “open menu,” meaning you can order anything you wish that is listed on the breakfast menu. The options are both hot and cold, and a great way to start your day. Lunches are packed to go. Shore lunches are an option with beans, potatoes, onions, whitefish, and walleye fillets provided by the lodge for an opportunity to enjoy a fresh fish meal cooked over a fire.

breakfast sign

As for the dinners, all meals are home-cooked quality with portions that satisfy any “Northwoods” appetite. How does steak with baked potato, saucy pork chops with roasted potatoes, teriyaki chicken and rice, roast beef with mashed potatoes, turkey and gravy, prime rib, and all the soups and salads your heart so desires sound?

fireside lodge rib dinner
fireside lodge prime rib dinner

How is the fishing?

It was everything as advertised.

We fished with our northern friend Josh Peacock, who brought his bass boat so we could explore the lake a little quicker with all the horsepower on the transom and electronics to assist us in navigation.

Mother Nature had her own plans for a low-ceiling kind of day with the threat of rain in the air, but also provided us with ideal conditions to fish for smallmouth bass with topwater baits over the deep weed beds, rock shoals, reefs, and endless island points that are virtually everywhere on this system.

Fishing with Strike King Sexy Dawg “walking style” topwater baits rigged onto braided lines and medium-action St.Croix casting rods, we came prepared for whatever decided to eat our offering.

strike king sexy dawg bait

The number of topwater strikes, hits, and misses was uncountable, to be honest. Regardless of where we stopped to fish, we either connected with smallmouth bass, northern pike and the ever-present musky that call these waters home.

karl kalonka smallmouth bass

Josh had some memorable follows by some very large toothy critters and was able to connect with a 40-plus-inch beast that destroyed his topwater bait right in front of the boat! We even caught multiple fish at one time on a single bait! Yes, two fish on one lure, that's how many bass are in this system.

If you're looking for an incredible wilderness adventure with all of the comforts of home and some of the finest fishing and culinary cuisine you’re ever going to experience, look no further than Fireside Lodge in Sioux Lookout in Northwest Ontario.

karl kalonka smallmouth bass

Give Alan and Audrey a ring and book your memorable vacation today.

Book This Trip

Toll-Free: 1-800-545-0815
Website: firesidelodge.com
Email: fireside@xplornet.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/firesidelodgefishing

(All photo credits: Karl Kalonka)
About Karl Kalonka

It's possible Karl's love for fishing began as early as the age of five. His parents took the kids on weekend trips across Ontario fishing for panfish, catfish, and bass. "I started with a bobber and worm from the time I was five years old," says Karl. These days, he has the enviable task of doing what he loves for a living, travelling across Ontario fishing, filming and producing two outdoor series, Extreme Angler and Crappie Angler TV.

Recommended Articles

Forget Skinny Smallmouth

Chiblow Lake Lodge offers an all-inclusive experience on a smallmouth factory famous for 5-pound-plus bass.

Mattagami Lake's Perfect Family Fishing Destination

Green Wilderness Lodge offers the rare and perfect blend of relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere and incredible fishing.

Cutler Lake Lodge: Your Cozy North Channel Area Fishing Getaway

Where exceptional hospitality and fantastic multi-species fishing meet.

Action-Packed Walleye, Bass, and Pike at Brennan Harbour Resort

Classic Canadian Fishing. Spectacular Lake Huron Views.

Birchland Cottages: Modern comfort with classic Northern Ontario charm

This Clear Lake gem is a great for kids, and the fishing action is non-stop.

Shallow Water Fishing in Sunset Country

Fish are still in shallow water—and up here in Northwestern Ontario, they’re more than willing to bite.

Sunset Country Outfitters

Some of the best multi-species action in Ontario’s Sunset Country

Early Summer Muskies

Ontario’s Sunset Country is muskie heaven. Here’s how to find and catch these early-summer giants.

Cast Away the Ordinary

Your Ultimate Fly-In, Boat-In, or Drive-In Fishing Adventure in Superior Country.

Ice Fishing in Northeastern Ontario

Year-round lodges that offer everything from DIY to fully outfitted ice fishing operations.

3 Great Ontario Walleye Destinations

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

Batchawana Bay Smallmouth Bass

Fish'n Canada fishes the Lake Superior for bass.

Lake Mattagami Walleye

Drive-to fishing at Green Wilderness Lodge.

10 Facts About Lake of the Woods

10 facts amazing about this massive Northwest Ontario Lake!

20 Years With Fish TV!

Fish TV discusses their favourite Ontario catches

Predicting Lake Thickness

When Will Ontario Lakes Freeze Over This Winter?

Best WhiteFish Tactics

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

Cast Into the Heart of a Walleye Paradise

Experience world-class angling and remote island luxury at the only resort on the pristine waters of Route Lake.

Hidden Musky Gems

The Musky Hunter shares 3 favourite musky hot spots across Ontario.

Awesome Algonquin

World Class Brook Trout Fishing in Algonquin Park.