A Walleye Adventure at Anderson's Lodge

A veritable walleye mecca with all the northern beauty one could hope for is the best way to describe Anderson’s Lodge on Lac Seul. If you are looking for a drive-to destination with a five-star appeal, this Ontario Experience is it. A short three-hour drive from the International Falls and Fort Frances border, you’re on the Anderson’s Lodge doorstep in the heart of Ontario’s Sunset Country.

Anderson’s Lodge and Lac Seul are home to some of the best, if not the best, walleye action one could hope for, with numbers and size being a major attraction. And even though Lac Seul is known for its walleye fishery, many come every year for the giant toothy critters, with trophy musky and pike being a huge draw. In addition to Lac Seul, Anderson’s Lodge has access to another lake where you can take advantage of amazing lake trout fishing. Spending the day testing your arm strength with these rod and reel-ripping fighters is something you definitely need to experience.

I’ve been fishing in the US with my 12-year-old son since he was about five years old. On this trip to Anderson’s Lodge, my son Tyson and I started what many fathers/sons, grandpas/grandsons or granddaughters, husbands and wives or buddies have been doing in Ontario for many years…starting a tradition! 

And I have to tell you, Anderson’s Lodge was a perfect place to start that tradition. It’s got all the comforts you could ask for, as well as lights-out fishing. And when you’re talking about a 12-year-old boy, you need lots of action. Lac Seul gave us all we could handle. From the time we dropped our line until it was time to leave for dinner each day, the walleyes cooperated.

Lac Seul is very well known for its epic jig and minnow bite. This held true for Tyson, with a very subtle slow jig and drop technique that kept him in a “reel ’em in with a big smile” mode. For me, Jigging Raps as well as jigs and plastics (3” and 4” paddle tails, jerk minnows, and grubs) kept me just as busy. The only thing that slowed the fishing was when we stopped fishing to enjoy our mid-day shore lunch prepared by our guide, something Tyson mentioned as being one of the best parts of the trip.

After two days of walleye mania, we shifted gears onto pike. Lac Seul once again didn’t disappoint. Tyson catching his personal best pike was one that neither he nor I will soon forget. The water being so clear, he was able to see his Silver Minnow tipped with a 4” white grub disappear in the toothy pike’s mouth, and the fight was on with the sound of his drag rippin’.

If that wasn’t enough, lake trout was part of the to-do list on the last day of our trip.  Anderson Lodge has access to an unbelievable lake trout lake just down the road from the lodge. It added to the “firsts” for Tyson as he caught his first-ever lake trout, and then went on to add numbers to that “first.” He was definitely a natural, as he had me down six to one at one point, giving him an even bigger smile as he out-fished his dad! Vertically rip jigging 3/4 - 1 oz. white jigs tipped with 4- to 5-inch white or pearl paddle tails and jerk shad in 80 to 100 feet of water were very effective as we caught one after another.    

This was the first year of an unforgettable tradition with Tyson that we will cherish for a lifetime. It is one we will continue for years to come, and Anderson’s Lodge was the perfect choice to start that together!

Anderson’s Lodge started out as a little tourist camp by Jimmy and Ethel Crann around 1934 with four cabins. Vic and Lil Anderson, along with their son Bob, purchased the camp in 1946, and that is where the camp’s name was born.  They operated the camp for the next 26 years, building the lodge to 12 cabins in 1951.

In 1972, the Anderson family sold the lodge to Gary Nault, who owned the lodge for a short time until Dick and Bev Fahlman acquired it with a sense of adventure, and their journey began. Driven by passion, they spent 38 years rebuilding and growing the lodge into the World-Class Fishing Lodge that it is today. In 2012, long-time managers Jackie Duhamel and Jody Moin acquired the lodge from the Fahlmans and have since completed the vision, as they built two brand new state-of-the-art outpost cabins at their Fly-In Outpost camps on Lac Seul. They continue the tradition of excellence, commitment and expertise that will ensure you a fishing vacation experience you will remember for a lifetime!

Anderson’s Lodge offers a beautiful main lodge with fine dining. The breakfasts and dinners are top-shelf, with five-star meals such as prime rib, chicken, steak and more. You will not leave hungry! The lodge consists of 13 cabins that accommodate up to 55 people. At the Fly-In Outposts on Lac Seul, they have four locations, five cabins and can accommodate up to 36 people between the four camps. The main lodge and the cabins were all rebuilt in the early ’90s, and they do annual upgrades to keep guests feeling as comfortable as possible. The Fly-In Outposts went through major renovations starting in 2002, building brand new cabins.

Anderson’s Lodge will exceed your expectations when it comes to quality, with the whole package that they offer. This is very evident by their very high percentage of repeat business. From the fishing, accommodations, and meals to the professional guides, lodge staff, and custom-built boats with new engines every year, this is without question an Ontario destination you need to experience.

I’ve read many fans' comments about how “one of these days” they would like to make one of these trips, and “one of these days” they will take their family or friend. I implore you, don’t wait, as that “one day” may never come. These trips build such strong memories with those we cherish! 

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