drive to resorts or camps

I have been going to Ontario for over 25 years now fishing and have done the fly-in,drive-in and the Camping on Crown Land thing. As far as fly-in trips go the outfitter only has a land use permit for the land the cabin is sitting and is told where the cabin must be on the lake. They have NO control over who can fish the lake besides guest at there reort. If there is a road near the lake the road is marked NO MOTORIZED VEHICLES BEYOND THIS POINT. Now if someone finds away to canoe into the lake or wish's to carry a boat into the lake that is perfectly legal. As far as camping on CROWN LAND the first thing that happens is your license is cut in half on the quantity of fish you are allowed. Even if you buy the full license you can only have half the amount of fish allowed on it. In some ares certian species you aren't allowed any such as Lake Trout. Also camping in BOUNDRY WATERS has it restrictions and some of these waters are a far north as Ignace. So if you are out fishing on a remote fly-in lake and somebody else shows up they maybe there perfectly legally. I have many Canadian friends up there that do hike into these remote lakes or portage in from other lakes and canoe up the small streams. I mostly do drive in trips now west of Thunder Bay about 75 miles and have just a great of time fishing those lakes as fly-ins do. There are some big lakes out there where this is hardly any fishing pressure and lots of big fish wether it be Walleyes,Northern Pike,Smallmouth Bass, or Lake Trout. A lot of these places are $800 or less for the whole group and if you bring your own boats you can fish a different lake everyday. There is also brook trout waters within 10 miles in a stocked pond or a small natural river withnatural brookies in it about 20 miles down the road. If you would like any information on these lakes and resorts in the area feel free to PM me.

Check out www.birchdalelodge.com or call the owners, Cheryl and Marcel Pinette at 1-807-227-5262. I've been a customer of theirs for the last 23 years. They have a very nice camp and equipment. They are on Eagle Lake which offers fishing for Musky, Northern, Walleye, Smallmouth, Lake Trout, Whitefish and Perch. They are about 150 miles north of International Falls MN. I usually go the 2nd week of September.

Most outfitters in Canada lease from the Canadian Gov't the land where their camps and "private" lakes are. We fished a flyin outfitter about 100 miles east of Chapleau and last year some locals were fishing (Illegal) the lake we were on and some were getting a bit nasty with some of the outfitters customers and a lot of their customers are Canadian also.The outfitters lease these lakes and are supposed exclusive for their use. This year were going to fish with an outfitter in Chapleau and it is a boat in to their camp.

timberedgecamps.com

Been going for around 10 years. If you go later june/ early July you can fish where the English river and the Rice flow in. Steady walleye action with the occasional big one. The pike are also in there feeding on the male walleyes. Last year caught 10 in 5 hours bigger than 33 inches. Biggest was 41.

OK, great!! Thank you for the help.

DOC

dreamsofcanada-

Basically crown land is equivalent to our state land in many cases. Here is a link to the MNR that gives the exact meaning. I find it awesome that over 95% of northern Ontario is made up of crown land.

http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/CrownLand/index.html

Phishphood, what do they mean by "crown land". I have always wondered that. DOC

Check out Pasha Lakes Resort in Ontario. It was one of the best resorts I've been to ever. Here is the link to the place. http://www.pashalake.com/

Here is a link to my experience up there. Check it out and enjoy. It's a picture heavy story. http://www.idofishing.com/forum/showflat.php/Number/927309/fpart/1/pasha-lake-cabins-august-2010

Wilderness camping is allowed to U.S. citizens on almost all crown land unless otherwise stated. Lac Seul would be one of the exceptions where there is no wilderness camping allowed to non-residents.

This is from the MNR website: "Although most Crown land is available for the enjoyment of both Ontario residents and visitors, access to some Crown land may be restricted or limited." "Non-resident Crown Land Camping Permits are available from numerous fishing and hunting license issuers and from Service Ontario centers in northern Ontario. The cost of a Non-resident Crown Land Camping Permit is approximately $10 per person per night." I have already planned a week long wildness camping trip near Nakina for this July. I have also spoken with many who have gone this route as well. If you need any additional info ask away.

NO

Are there any areas of Ontario where wilderness camping is allowed, like what we have on the chippewa flowage, turtle flambeau, and the willow flowage? I like to camp on my fishing trips and get away from people. The resort experience is not my cup of tea. From what I have gathered and researched, Canada does not allow much of this, or any for that matter. Can someone shed some light on this subject? Thanks for any help! DOC

I have been going to King Fisher resort located on Lake Wabaskang in Northwest Ontario. I am not sure where you live but it is about a 3-4hr drive from the International Falls Minnesota. We have always gone the last Saturday in May to the first Saturday in June. The weeds are usually minimal but the fishing is always fantastic. The owners names are Gerry and Linda Moran. They have all kinds of packages available but I recommend the "everything package." I believe it's $670.00 US. There is usually 6 of us that go and we normally catch between 1000-1200 fish for the week. The walleye are all different sizes and the perch are big also. The northerns are everywhere and vary in size. I hope this helps and I would recommend checking out the website I believe it's Kingfisherresort.com. Good luck.

RMBA,

Not sure where you would be coming from, but I will agree with Bearfan Gary, that the Bear Paw Lodge out of Armstrong is a great place. We have been going there for the past 4 years and are heading back again in 2012. We like to go in Sept. The drive is very nice, no bugs, but the weather can be from one extreme to the other. The fishing on Caribou Lake for walleyes has always been good. My dad was fortunate enough to get himself a 31.5 inch Walleye this year. The Bear Paw owners are great, the cabins are very nice, and they have new boats.

Before the Bear Paw, we stayed at Holinshead. The lake was nice and we caught lots of Walleye. Back then, the camp was a bit rustic, but still very nice. I know there is new owners. Met them at a Canada Show a while back and they indicated they have new boats and made numerous upgrades to the camp. I actually would not mind giving them a try again.

There are so many choices and nice camps. Good luck in your search.

Gold Arrow Camp.........15 lakes......Remote boat caches on all lakes......very little fishing pressure.....modern houskeeping cabins that includes boat / motors for under $475 per.....great fishing for Walleye, Smallmouth, Pike, Lakers, Perch, and Crappie...........

www.fishandhuntontario.com/

RMBA,

Just some observations from 30+ years of Canadian fishing trips...

1.  There's a strong relationship between how nice a camp is in creature comforts and how depleted the fishing is in the immediate area.  There are some exceptions, but generally if you want fine accomodations and food plans, don't expect as much from the fishing.  It will still be better than Wisconsin though.

2.  Many lakes take time to reveal  the seasonal fishing strategies that work best.  Don't expect to learn all these on your first trip.  In many areas hiring a guide is a good plan the first couple days out.

3.  You mentioned wanting a drive in camp.  Another option, without the cost and limitations of a fly in, is a boat-in camp.  These offer the exclusion and low pressure fished water of fly-ins at a lower price and no weight limits on gear.  My group has used the Sturgeon Lake Lodge Outpost with great success since 1983.  At this camp you load your gear onto a tug boat which takes your party (and tows your boat)22 miles to a single outpost cabin.  Of course, at boat-ins like fly-ins you are on your own, and must develop good fishing techniques exploring the available water.

4.  Wherever you go, realize that fishing action varies year to year, and that the place where the action was tremendous last year might not be so great this year.  Water levels, temperatures, hatches, and some subtle factors affect the action.

All things considered, you will have a great time.  The wilderness is awesome and the fishing can be fantastic.

GovMan