First Ever Canadian Fishing Trip

[BigDog2005]

I'm looking into taking my first ever Canadian fishing trip this spring/summer. I want to drive in and not really interested in a fly-in trip, at least not yet. The area I'm interested in is Northwest Ontario called Ontario's Sunset Country. I've requested some info. from www.ontariossunsetcountry.com, but there are so many lakes and resorts, it's overwelming.

I'm more interested in a great fishing lake(s) than I am the resort. If anyone has fished in this area of Canada and could recommend a lake/resort that you've done well on catching walleye, muskies, pike, lakers... I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks for the help!

[Eastwind]

If you want to catch all of these species, the best place that I could send you to would be Muskie Bay Resort, North of Nestor Falls. It is about a six hour drive from the North metro area. They are located on Crow ( Kakagi) Lake but have an access on Lake of the Woods and also some cached boats on one or two portage lakes off of Crow. Check out their HSOforum.

[Gissert]

I will second Eastwind's suggestion of Muskie Bay. Great folks, great location. I have only ever been there in the winter, would do a summer trip in a heartbeat.

[BigDog2005]

Thanks for the info. guys. I see Crawfords Resort is also on Crow lake. Have either of you been there?

What's a cache boat?

[jerkin'm]

I have been to Crawfords winter and summer..Mike is a great guy and very helpful...The cabins are showing their age and Muskie Bay has a couple nice new ones..Also the road noise at Crawfords is kind of annoying...I have a couple remote cabins on Crow rented for the summer that look very nice..If you need more info let me know..

[aprowl]

A boat cache is a portage lake, another camp on crow is black bear great people http://www.blackbearfishing.com or if you want to boat in try Happy Landings on Pipestone www.happylandingfishing.com Matt at HL also has a more rustic place on Manitou..I know alot about the camps in that area if you want info send me an email at [email protected]...

[MuskyBrian]

Take a look at a place called Ross's Resort in Emo on the Clearwater/Pipestone Chain. They have all the species you mentioned. I was there years ago and we hammered Pike, Trophy caliber bass, run ins with lakers and musky, and did so-so on walleyes.

I would be somewhat careful of Crow Lake. Not everyone does well out there and some people claim it is very difficult water to fish due to its extreme clarity. There's also some big time rock hazards out there. If you are willing to drive a little further you can max out your chances of hammering fish

I would personally tell you to broaden your search a little bit and take a look a little further north to the area above Vermillion Bay. Any of the lakes on the Red Lake Highway are generally awesome bodies of water for a mixed bag of species. I got plenty of resorts, email me if you need any info in that area.

[srj]

Eastwind and MuskyBrian have pointed you at some great waters. Just a bit past Crow you get to Whitefish Bay of L-O-W. Very large fish of all the species you mentioned are present in Whitefish and there are lots of resort options. It's also awesome beautiful. Still North of Whitefish on L-O-W you have Kenora on Clearwater Bay. And the river system running north thru the Chain of Lakes. It's not a hard and fast rule, but it seems the farther you drive north (and a little east), the more options you have. Check out the Dryden and Sioux Lookout areas too.

Good luck with your choice.

[superbee]

If you are looking for a good mix of walleye, bess, & pike I would check stuff on the English River or Lac Seul. Lac Seul is probably the best drive to lake in all of Ontario, there are lots of camps on it and you can find one that suits all of your needs. It even has some huge musky as well. It is only 3hours from International Falls, MN if you fish from the Sioux Lookout area. It is definately your safest bet for a great fishing experience with out risking your hard earned money. One thing I've learned from all my fishing trips is that if a resort offers great family packages is that they don't have the quality of fishing of the other resorts on better water. You want a fishing resort not a family resort. I would check out Lost Island Lodge or Mahkwa Lodge(spelling) outside of Sioux Lookout. Good luck.

No unauthorized links, please.

[MuskyBrian]

agreed, Lac Seaul is an AWESOME body of water.

[Eastwind]

Lac Seul, eh? Maybe we can all learn something from this thread.

[MuskyBrian]

I haven't experienced any muskies seeing as I was on the West End but the Walleye fishing was a factory of non stop action 24 hours a day regardless of weather, extremely impressive.

[srj]

MuskyBrian, gotta agree with you on Lac Suel as a walleye factory. Hard to imagine a better drive-to walleye lake. My earlier post mentioning a little east and Dryden/Sioux Lookout referred to the Wabigoon chain and Lac Suel. The Wabigoon chain has VERY large muskies but a lot of people don't think of it as the real Canadian experience--with a NW wind the paper mill smell can get a bit overpowering and the water is seriously turbid. Like a foot or less visibility from the clay stain. Thunder Lake just across the road from Wabigoon has a good population of lakers, including some very nice sized ones.

I fish the east end of Lac Suel out of Sioux Lookout and you are still a long way from the muskie water--way NE. However, Minnitaki has some big skis and some very large lakers. Both can be tough to tempt however. We always fish Big Vermillion for a couple of half day shots for lakers and a bit for muskies. Probably the most underfished muskie water around. The lakers got small over the last few years but a 25 fish morning isn't unusual. Sure glad the MNR finally put in a size reg the last couple years.

Sure a lot of great waters north of the border.

[MuskyBrian]

hmm, this post keeps getting more and more interesting. SRJ, can you tell me more about Muskies on Big Vermillion? This is an area I have always wanted to visit. The problem is I was under the impression that the only body of water with a good population of Ski's was LITTLE Vermillion, and the prices at Fireside Lodge ( the only resort on the lake) are absolutely outrageous and I refuse to go. You got any good Musky run in stories on the BIG V?

[srj]

Basically, Little Vermillion-little skis but lots of them. It would be hard to not catch a number of them in the bay where the boat landing is, just shore casting for smallies (or tossing big baits). I don't personally know of any over 20 lbs however. Big Vermillion-big skis. They are very thick and deep for any given length but not the big numbers like Little Vermillion. I've fished the area since the late 70's and I haven't seen a bait tosser in many years. The NE corner of Lac Suel, Wapesi Bay in particular, gets almost all the muskie chatter with a little bit for Minnitaki. Big V is very clear, so you get to see what's happening too. THe clarity is similar to Whitefish Bay where I have a cabin. I developed arthritis in my hands and wrists from a snomo crash about 10 years ago so I can't toss big baits for more than a few minutes without a break. Bummer. I've caught fish into the high 40's on BIg V and know of fish to 42 lbs. It's not unusual to have a bit-off while deep jigging trout. The pike population is kinda low on BIg V, whitefish population high, trout population high, good smallmouths. Minnitaki probably has bigger fish potential. I have seldom seen bait tossers on Minnitaki either. Minnitakis make-up is really cool--quite clear, very deep sections, large moderately deep sections and it's very fertile. Also sees little ski pressure.

You want to stay mobile in the area as the different lakes offer such different options.

Big V has a couple of resorts that are much cheaper than Fireside. Avoid Bowmans if it's still in business. Little V also has the Provincial Park on it. Nice place, if you are into camping.

And then there's Wabigoon.................

[BigDog2005]

Thanks for all the great information!! You guys are really helping me sort through all of this!

From the sounds of it, Lac Suel is a great place to go. Can you tell me, is there a better side of the lake to be on for Walleye, Pike and Bass?

I know it totaly depends on the weather, but which months of the year are the best times to go fishing on Lac Seul?

Also, do you guys bring your own boats, or is it easier to rent one from the resort? I'm just thinking, it's a long drive up there from Minneapolis and I want minimal problems to have to deal with....

Thanks again for all your help!

[srj]

More resorts on the west end than the east end. Lots of guys like the west, lots of guys like the east. There is also a resort sort of in the middle of the lake. It might be hard to get a booking now for the early part of the season. Easier from July on. It's always good!!

Also, I would strongly recommend you bring your own boat so you can try different waters. Part of the fun. Go to the Sioux Lookout HSOforum to get area info.

Good luck.

[jerkin'm]

Lac Seul is loaded with lower unit eating rocks too..Last year the water was very low during my father in laws annual trip. Took out lower units on both of the boats they brought with...Guys in the neighboring cabins took out all 3 lower units on the boats they brought. If you use the boats at the resort BUY the insurance.

[Stratosman]

I would like to know about Wabigoon if possible. We are looking into a place in Dinorwic on Donorwic/Wabigoon. Have never been there as we like to try someplace new every year, you say the smell from the paper mill can be bad, the lodge is 18 mile East of Dryden, so I would assume that the smell wouldn't travel that far? or am I wrong? We like the fact that it carries pretty much all species we're looking for. Anyone have any experience from going to that area? Thanks.

[srj]

The smell is only noticed when the wind is from the NW. It has never bothered me, but I have heard people complain. I don't think it bothers most people and probably wouldn't carry that far. If you make that trip, I expect you will have a good time. Interesting lakes. Be sure to pick up any maps you can find if you don't have any. There are a number of lakes on the chain and they are all different. Also, Thunder Lake will be right across the road from you with access at the Provincial Park. Clear water, Lake Trout and few fishermen. Also some big eyes, pike and smallies although not in the numbers of the chain.

Good luck.

[superfish2]

I tried posting this on it's own thread, but got no replies. Anyone know anything about fishing the english river, or cozy creek lodge?

[superfish2]

I tried posting this on it's own thread, but got no replies. Anyone know anything about fishing the english river, or cozy creek lodge?

[Hemlock]

Superfish2, I've fished the English River only once up by Grassy Narrows (about 45 miles north of Kenora ON) and I had a blast. Met up with Jeff Beckwith from Scenic Tackle and a bunch of his guys and we caught several large walleyes. If you are looking for bigger fish and lots of them, this is a good place to look in to.

[Scenic]

I have been fishing the English River area in Grassy Narrows for a number of years now. I normally camp on one of the islands but you can stay at the campground at the marina as well. It is a very reasonably priced trip and we catch a ton of fish up there. You will find walleye, sauger, small mouth and even an occasional muskie.

[MuskyBrian]

Lac Seul...I don't see how you could go wrong on either side. I know the West End so I would say go there but from what I hear, it's all good.

As For Wabigoon...The fishing sounds pretty solid. The problems you are facing, as mentioned earlier, are the proximity to Dryden and also the turbid water color. THose are two things I am personally not willing to deal with, although now that I have my own Boat I hope to make a few appearances out there this year. We shall see.

SRJ, Thanks for the V Info, Interesting stuff. I read and do a lot of research about Canada and I can never seem to find out much about that whole area.