Girls’ Getaway!

Your biggest challenge may be getting everyone’s schedules in sync for this fishing trip of a lifetime.
WomensTrip_Header.jpg

If you and your girl tribe love fishing, you are long overdue for a fishing trip together. Are you done putting off the trip of a lifetime that will feed your fishing soul? Then listen up.

Northwestern Ontario has everything and anything you can dream of on a fishing trip. Adventure, relaxation, great food, species of fish to challenge your skills, and others that will stoke your confidence.

womens trip

Whether you and your ladies want remote or convenient fishing, the choice is up to you— and up here, the choices are limitless.

Get Together

womens trip 1

The most difficult part is likely gathering everyone with their busy schedules. If you’re all hard to tie down, you have a couple of options.

Option A: You give yourselves lots of preparation, AKA, start planning your late summer 2019 or 2020 fishing trip NOW.

Option B: Allow yourselves enough freedom to take off on a moment’s notice. This is a bit of a riskier option as lodges tend to fill up before March of each year. However, between a bit of luck and flexibility on your group’s part, you could make it happen!

My girls and I are fans of the latter, but we did manage to plan a fly-in trip for muskie later this year in advance!

Keeping Your Options Open

womens trip 2

As with all groups, everyone wants different things; don’t settle on a place that only offers one activity or one species of fish. Unless, of course, you’re all muskie-crazed women like my girls.

Thankfully, in Northern Ontario, it’s hard to find a place that doesn’t offer any variety. But perhaps some of you want multiple species, and amenities such as a hot tub to come back to? And who can forget about the amazing food options these lodges offer? Understanding the difference between the American Plan vs. Housekeeping should be high on your list, so you know what to expect when you arrive.

womens-trip3

American Plan (AP): All meals, cabins, boats, sometimes guides and more are included (these plans will be indicated on the lodge’s website, be sure to read off their AP list to see if it has everything you need).

Housekeeping (HK): Meals are not included. Your cabins are included, but you’re responsible for tidying. Sometimes boat rentals are included in your HK package as well, but as with AP, it’s best to check the lodge’s list to make sure you know what you’re signing up for.

Guided or DIY

womens-trip4

The amazing thing about Northern Ontario is the option to fish on your own or have full access to a guide. You can plan your trip to be fully outfitted and guided or DIY. You choose how much you want your lodge to be hands-on. Even if you want a guide for a day, or for your whole trip.

Some food for thought, guides are excellent teachers–– and I’m not referring to teaching in the way they’ll teach you how to cast–– I’m saying they can tell you what works and what doesn’t, what colours to use, what structure to try; after all, different places offer different fish behaviours.

Convenience or Off-Grid

womens-trip5

It’s a good idea to get an idea of how far everyone wants to be from civilization because there is everything from central to middle-of-nowhere options here in Northwest Ontario’s Sunset Country.

Your options are drive-in, boat-in, and fly-in lodges. There are also canoe outfitters who can supply everything you need for a paddling adventure of a lifetime, including flying into our wilderness parks: Quetico Provincial Park, Woodland Caribou Park, and Wabakimi Provincial Park.

The Next Step

womens-trip6

Now that you have an idea of what everyone in your group wants, it is time to get the ball rolling on your trip of a lifetime!

Gone are the days of having to wait for sports show seasons or cold-calling lodges using Google. I’m going to let you in on a not-so-secret resource that makes research an absolute breeze.

If you want the most convenient tool for Northwest Ontario lodges, check out visitsunsetcountry.com. This interactive website will allow you to add your chosen lodges to a bucket list, share with your friends, and even help you narrow down choices with its Accommodation Finder.

Send your girls the link and start planning this trip ASAP!

About Alyssa Lloyd

Alyssa Lloyd is a photojournalist based out of Kenora working with Ontario's Sunset Country. The outdoors has been the center of her work and personal life for as long as she can remember. As an angler, Alyssa spends most of her time chasing multiple species on both conventional and fly gear. 

Recommended Articles

Big Lake Abitibi

Ice Fishing With Dunn Right Outfitters

Pro Fishing Photos

Helping You Take Better Photos of Your Catch

Cook A Tasty Shore Lunch

This is a tried and true recipe cooked up with fresh Ontario fish on the shores of Big Kaby Lake.

Eating Northern Pike

The Best Recipe to Cook This Fish

The Perfect Shore Lunch

Try this award-winning recipe on your next Ontario fishing trip.

A Whole Lota Lovin'

Burbot resembles nothing else that swims in our northern lakes and rivers.

Become a World-class Fishing Guide

Misconceptions, behind-the-scenes intel, and key tips from a professional guide.

10 Facts About Lake of the Woods

10 facts amazing about this massive Northwest Ontario Lake!

Ontario Brook Trout

Fish these 10 sweet spots.

Sweeping the Basin

October is a Great Time to Fish for Ontario Crappie

Steelhead and Salmon of Northern Ontario

Ontario's north is home to tributaries of Lake Superior and Lake Huron—and many species of salmon and steelhead

Smoked Fish: A Do-It-Yourself Delicacy

Catching and eating fish from the cold, clear waters is one of the perks of living in Northern Ontario.

Extreme Weather Walleye

Red Pine Lodge located on Ivanhoe Lake and is full of walleye.

Hand to Hand Combat

Experience Crappie Fishing in Ontario

Casual Canadian Muskies

Here’s a simple approach that can have you holding a Canadian musky in no time.

5 Places to Shore Fish

Fish’n Canada shows you where to go shore fishing in Ontario.

Get Hooked on Ice Fishing

Ice Fishing is very enjoyable and one of the fastest growing sports.

Heavy Rods and Heart-Stopping Follows: Fly Fishing for Muskies

An ultimate destination for fly anglers looking to test their gear and grit against the North’s most legendary predator.

Fishing the Upper Ganaraska

One of Ontario’s most popular fishing destinations for trout and salmon anglers.

Four Fantastic Ontario Musky Waters

Discover 4 hotspots that any musky angler must add to their bucket list.