Canadian fishing trip

[fishNgolf]

Looking for a drive to fishing lodge to head to in Canada. Looking primarily for walleye, both numbers and size. It would be nice to fish for some bigger fish, northern or muskies throughout the week. Right now we are considering Red lake, Ontario, or Lac Seur. We have never done this before and would like suggestions based on people's experiences up there. Both lakes and places to stay would be helpful. 

Thanks

[BobT]

We began going up to the Lac Seul in 2001 every year in June and staying at resorts near Ear Falls, ON. The first year we stayed at the Evergreen Lodge and were treated very well. Then we stayed at the Golden Eagle Lodge which is next door for a couple years. We were happy with them as well. The Evergreen was a little more pricey than the Golden Eagle which was probably why our group chose the move but in my opinion the folks at Evergreen provided better service. Evergreen also has since installed what they call tent cabins or something like that which can be a less costly way to stay. 

We found plenty of walleye, northern, and others. On that end of the reservoir we found the fish were generally smaller at that time of year but far more numerous. We actually brought clickers along to keep track of the walleye we boated and average was about 175 per day per person. I'm not kidding about that. We fished two persons per boat and in one day both boats recorded 436 and 422 fish respectively. It was so amazing I can still remember the numbers. Sizes ranged from 10" to 28-1/2" but the average size was typically in the 16" range.

Search for Evergreen Lodge Ear Falls and Golden Eagle Lodge Ear Falls you'll find their websites. There are other resorts in the area too.

In 2004 we decided to move to the far southern end of the Lac Seul to the Lac Seul Resort near Hudson, ON and have been staying there ever since. The number of fish we catch is a little lower but the size structure is nicer and I believe we get more variety of fish. In 2005 for example, we caught walleye, northern, smallmouth, largemouth, rock bass, black and white crappy, red horse sucker, whitefish, and musky. That was a great year and we estimated the average walleye was 22" - 23".  In most years we catch most of these species. The best year we ever had was two years ago when seven guys over 4-1/2 days of fishing fed out 161 dozen minnows and a pound of leeches and we estimated the average walleye at 23" - 24". Nothing like getting double and triple 26" walleyes in boat!  

Our largest walleye to date has been 28-3/4". For some reason we have struggled to break that 30" mark. Largest northern has been 42" and musky was 42". Largest whitefish was 27-1/2" caught by yours truly. Although not in season but really fun to catch on light walleye gear we often get into smallies in the 22" - 26" range.

Our bait of choice in June is 1/4oz jig and minnow or leech, although minnows do tend to be the better producer. We've tried crawlers but they don't compete with minnows at that time of year. One year I even brought up Berkley Powerbaits hoping their claim to out-fish live bait would prove correct and we could save on our bait bill but minnows out-fished them by 30:1. 

To find this resort's website search for Lac Seul Resort Hudson. 

Another resort nearby is Lost Island Lodge. It is on an island about a mile from the Lac Seul resort (2 miles from Hudson by water) so you have to boat to it. Search for Lost Island Lodge Hudson to find their website.

Hope this is helpful.

[Fish Head]

We have a group that has been up to Lac Seul Outposts in the Chamberlain Narrows area about 7 or 8 times.  That area of the lake has only 1 resort and is pretty remote. The fishing has always been tremendous. Lot's of walleyes of all sizes and some huge northerns too.  You definitely can't go wrong with them.

Have fun!

[fishNgolf]

BobT and Fish Head, really appreciate the response on this. I will be looking at all of the places you both mentioned. 

Should I be looking at places to fish other than Lac Suel? Depending on who's lodge/resort you go to, they are all considered "one of the best" and have world class fishing. Having never been to Canada on a fishing trip, that might very well be true. We just want to make sure this is a memorable trip as we are surprising my Dad with this as a retirement gift as he has always talked about doing this. 

 

[BobT]

Just west of Dryden about 15 miles is Eagle Lake. A colleague of mine has been there a couple times and said they do well also. I'm not sure which resort he stays at but you can search for Eagle Lake Resort and probably find some. I searched for eagle lake ontario resorts and found a few.

This past February I was with a group up on Clearwater West Lake northwest of Atikoken. We were chasing after lake trout but I heard there is walleye in there or nearby lakes as well. Brown's Clearwater West Lodge is where we stayed and it was okay too. 

With any of these you have access to a lot of water to explore.

Edited March 23, 2016 by BobT

[vikingmeatwad]

I went with a crew for a few years and we always either camped or stayed at the lamplighter hotel in Sioux Lookout and just drove up to Lac Seul each day. Prob much cheaper than a resort but not sure as never looked into resorts. We just wanted fish cleaning and an OK place to stay. A breakfast was always nice before pounding the walleye all day.

[BobT]

We started out with six guys in our group but quickly grew to 8-10 guys every year. In the beginning we fished two to a boat but due to the high fuel costs a few years ago we began to fish three to a boat to save boat and truck fuel. Our boats are comfortable enough for that so we have stayed with that plan. We also reduced our meal plan from three meals a day down to two. This not only gave us more time on the water but also reduced our grocery bill and helped control our waistlines. 

In the 15 years that I have been going up there the most it has ever cost me was about $650.00 for 4-1/2 days of fishing and five nights lodging. The cost includes all my meals, lodging, fuel (boat and vehicle round trip), bait, tournament ante which is only $30, fishing license, outdoors card, beverages, cigars, and 4 dozen jigs. With three guys to a boat it is most economical to go with multiples of three so our goal is nine guys to get by with three boats and three trucks. 

Edited March 31, 2016 by BobT

[PRO-V]

We do just like BobT. Been going to the Sioux Lookout end for 22 years and went through the same evolution. If you need to shave more dollars you could camp at Abram Lake Park 3 miles south of town. Watch out using your lake maps on your GPS up there. The motor routes are accurate usually but not much else is. The rocks can reach up and bite you pretty fast. And keep a sharp eye out for floating wood.

 

[hansyfishing02]

Try Lake of the Woods and stay at Wiley Point. You catch over 100 eyes in half a day, you have a shore lunch, and then you can go after whatever you want in the afternoon. The fishing is wonderful and the shore lunches are even better!

Good Luck!