Talon Lake Lunge

This 3,500-acre lake holds trophy muskies and should not be ignored!

Talon Lake on the Mattawa River in Bonfield, Ontario is an overlooked musky water, located between the more famous waters of Lake Nipissing and the Ottawa River. However, this 3,500-acre lake holds trophy muskies and should not be ignored.

Talon Lake is only a three-and-a-half-hour drive north of Toronto, located just east of North Bay in Mattawa River Provincial Park. There are not many lodges on the lake, which cuts down the boat traffic. Combine this with the incredible scenic beauty of the Park, and Talon Lake is a musky hunter’s paradise. I was amazed at the number of potential musky spots, and this lake fished larger than expected. Yet, you don’t need a large boat like you do when fishing the nearby larger waters.

Camp Conewango is located on the north end of the lake and has both cottages and a campground, as well as a swimming beach and a great docking system. It has all the amenities a musky angler needs, including its own restaurant. If you can’t stay at Camp Conewango, there are other lodges nearby in Bonfield.

Camp Conewango
Camp Conewango is the perfect destination when staying on Talon Lake.

Talon Lake is full of incredible musky spots, many sitting adjacent to deep basins exceeding 100 feet of water. The giant weed beds, boulder points, and mid-lake humps provide a sense that every cast can produce a giant musky. The water has a slight stain, with weeds growing to 12 feet. During summer we located muskies on large weed flats, as well as a few rock points that had current. We had musky action on large in-line spinners such as Cowgirls, and Topraiders, as well as large soft plastics such as Bulldawgs and large 9-inch ShallowRaiders. Both perch patterns and peal patterns seemed to get action, but we did catch our largest musky on a black Cowgirl.

During our short trip, the weather conditions were great for enjoying the summer weather, but not ideal for muskies. We had sunny and calm conditions with no humidity. The one morning we did have cloud cover, we had musky action on our first five spots. So it’s clear the muskies are present in this lake, but like anywhere else, you need some favourable weather, particularly in summer. Low-light conditions are best during summer, and there’s no doubt this is an incredible fall fishery, as plenty of photographs of big Talon lake muskies prove.

Sunset
Beautiful sunsets are the norm when fishing at Talon Lake.

Talon Lake is an incredible musky fishery, and if you are looking for a beautiful and scenic musky fishing destination with little fishing pressure, Talon Lake is the place.

Talon Lake Lodging

Camp Conewango
PH: 705-776-2320
https://campconewango.com/

About Jim Saric

Jim owns Jim Saric Outdoors, Inc., which is dedicated to elevating the sport of musky fishing to new levels by educating anglers through print, web, and television. He is the publisher, editor and owner of Musky Hunter Magazine and the Executive Producer of The Musky Hunter television series. Jim has over twenty-five years experience fishing lakes, rivers, and reservoirs from Minnesota to New York and all across Canada. He has boated more than 100 muskies exceeding 50 inches in length, the largest weighing 53 pounds.

Recommended Articles

Hard Balling Walleyes

Spring Fishing Tactics to Catch Ontario Walleye

Test Your Fishing Smarts

And get some hot tips on fishing spots.

Muskie Moons

More than just superstition?

Abitibi Walleye Experience

Fishing for Walleye, Northern Pike and Jumbo Perch

Eagle Lake Island Lodge

Your private island escape and off-the-grid adventures await.

Discover the 3 Best Bass Fishing Lakes in Ontario

Check out these lakes for hard-fighting smallmouth bass on your next fishing trip to Northern Ontario.

Fishing Negative Smallmouth

Try these 4 fly fishing techniques to put fish onto your flies.

An Amazing New Technique for Northern Pike

Learn the latest winter Northern pike pattern to hit the Northern Ontario ice scene.

This Smallmouth Bass Paradise Is No Longer A Secret

The Mississagi Valley has opportunities for personal best trophy-sized brown bass.

Fishing for Ontario Wild Brook Trout At Northern Skies Resort

Targeting wild brook in the local rivers, creeks and streams of Algoma Country, Ontario.

Smallmouth Bass With Still Water Fishing and Tours

For the pike and musky anglers, Lake Huron really shines bright.

World Class Muskie at Young's Wilderness Camp

Lake of The Woods for Muskie and Walleye

Bob Izumi searches for bass and pike

Fishing unfamiliar territory, Bob Izumi lands monster smallies and Northern pike

Topwater Bass

Targeting Spring Bass at Dog Lake Resort

Wild Brook Trout

Remote Outpost Fishing on Pinei Lake

Catch, photo, release

Save Your Fishing Memories With These Photo Tips

Pine Sunset Lodge

Walleyes and slabs of Dinorwic Lake

Ontario Carp Championship

Is Ontario the Carp fishing capital of the world?

Best WhiteFish Tactics

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

World Class Walleye Fishing at Vermilion Bay Lodge

Eagle Lake has over 68,000 acres of clear Canadian Shield waters with world-class walleye and muskie.