Surface Sizzle Smallmouth

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.

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 on 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 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 offers its guests some of the best sportfishing Canada has to offer, year after year!

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 homecooked meals in the friendly atmosphere of the dining room in the main lodge while sharing stories of the day with other guests.

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.

As for the dinners, all meals are homecooked 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?

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.

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.

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.

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

CONTACT INFORMATION

Toll-Free: 1-800-545-0815
Website: firesidelodge.com
Email: fireside@xplornet.com
You can find them on Facebook as well www.facebook.com/firesidelodgefishing

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