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Best Fish to Catch on an Ontario Fly-In Fishing Adventure

Small muskie held by girl fishing in Canada.
Imaging flying to a remote fishing spot in beautiful Ontario, Canada.

 You don't have to disembark from your float plane as it turns into a boat from which you do your fishing. If this appeals to you, consider the fun of fly-in fishing. 

Once you’ve loaded your fishing gear and board a float plane, you can enjoy the stunning views below you, while flying to your fishing destination. 

If you’re an avid fisherman and want to experience fly-in fishing in beautiful Ontario this fall, here are some guidelines for catching some of the most common species of fish on a fly-in fishing trip. 

Northern Pike 

Northern Pike are the easiest fish to catch in our Ontario lakes as they’re attracted to almost any type of lure. They mostly hang out in the lakes of northern Ontario. 

While small and medium northern pikes are typically found in thick lily pad weeds in the back of bays, larger ones usually congregate around the edges of weeds. 

Small and medium-sized pikes mostly eat frogs, small minnows and bugs, but larger pike ensnare Walleyes and are commonly found guarding their prey on the outer bounds of a school of Walleyes.

Smallmouth Bass

Northern Ontario is known for its large amount of smallbass fishing. This species ranges in color from dark to pale yellow or pale green and can also be olive brown. 

Its belly is spotted with a off-white color and its eyes are typically orange or red. Because it has extraordinary vision and hearing, this species can quickly overcome it prey, making it an ideal predator fish. 

Once autumn is in full swing in Ontario, smallmouth bass, just as largemouth bass, seem to travel deeper into their waters. Smallmouth bass has a tendency to spread out more on still days when the waters are as smooth as glass. 

The early bird angler catches the most smallbass fish, besides the largest ones. 

Thus, get up early. Some of the best baits for catching smallmouth bass in the morning include leeches, minnow, crawfish and hellgrammites. 

As for artificial bait, you can use anything that looks like a minnow. For example, streamer flies, spinnerbaits, jerkbaits and plastic worms work well.  

Walleye Fishing

Walleyes, also known as Yellow Pickerels, walleyes are at their largest in the fall because they’ve been feeding on other fish to prepare for winter. 

These predatory fish are small and have a dark color on their tops that ranges from brown to dark yellow. 

Their underside is a pale color that can be white to pale yellow. They also have silver-colored eyes that give it a reflective feature in dark water. 

Although most anglers focus on medium to deep water when fishing for walleyes, you can also find them in shallow water and particularly when there’s high water. 

Some of the bait that’s considered excellent for catching walleye in autumn include reef runners, dancers, tail dancers and down deep husky jerks. For best results, fish for walleyes at night. 

Considerations and Warnings

While some Northern Ontario lakes are exceptionally clear, others are very murky, especially following a bad storm. You’ll have better results using red or silver colored-bait. However, for murky water, or for water where there’s a rich concentration of iron, yellow bait is more effective.

Rattle baits are ideal for catching pike because the fish are attracted by the sound.

Pike tend to tease bait, playing with it before taking it. That's why you need to be patient. In other words, there’s a good chance that a large pike that nibbles and then leaves, will probably return as these fish have huge appetites, and can quickly forget.

Smallmouth basses typically stay together according to their size, so don’t expect to see a larger smallmouth in a group of smaller-sized fish. 

When planning your fly-in fishing vacation, please contact us at Oak Lake Lodge. Our top-rated fly in fishing lodge and resort can provide you with an angler’s fishing trip of a lifetime. 

Located in breathtaking Ontario, our vacation package includes a private lake, luxury accommodations, outstanding prepared meals, and experienced fishing guides. 

Although our main fish species are northern pike, smallmouth bass, and walleye, our lake also has other species, including both small and large fish.

Trip Planning

Fly-in fishing lodge, Oak Lake Lodge.
17 Aug, 2022
What is the experience of fly-in fishing at Oak Lake Lodge?
Northern Pike
02 May, 2020
If you've never considered a fly-in fishing trip before, you're already in for some surprises that you don't seldom see in very many vacation locations. No doubt you've already traveled the world and seen many of the greatest tourist attractions, despite fighting endless crowds. But how many unexpected pleasant surprises did you have in those places, especially when it comes to appreciating nature? Most likely, you've had too many unpleasant surprises during vacations, leading to the frequent problem of wanting vacation from the vacation. If you've had too much of that and want a place out of the ordinary where you can truly find the unexpected, our Oak Lake Lodge is there for you. Located in Ontario, Canada, we're in one of the most pristine vacation places left on earth. With few visitors allowed at a time, the natural environments here bring many different experiences for people. However, in order to enjoy them to the fullest, you should always prepare for specific occurrences. We always recommend preparing well before experiencing our vacations. This includes bringing items that make your trip more enjoyable and help you experience the sometimes unexpected elements nature brings.
David with a very big fish either a muskie or northern pike.
02 May, 2020
You're all set: your travel plans are booked; you're ready to go. Everything is on order. Now, all you have to do is pack for your fly-in fishing trip and make sure that everything is in order so that when you get there, you can kick back, relax, and enjoy your stay.
A view of Oak Lake Lodge from the lake. A fly-in fishing lodge in Ontario, Canada.
01 May, 2020
When you decide to experience our fly-in fishing vacation package here at Oak Lake Lodge, you'll immediately notice the sense of peace and quiet you'll have in comparison to other vacations. We'll remind you that when you arrive here, you're a long way from any industry. This means miles and miles of natural surroundings and not the loud bustle of traffic. With our limitations of 32 people per visit, you also eliminate concern about excessive tourists. You won't find many vacation spots on earth that don't have an excess of tourists clogging streets, or even on lakes. This sense of peace might sound like we're too far away from providing outstanding amenities. Keep in mind we fly in and provide more amenities and supplies than most lodges do that exist away from civilization.
An eagle scoops a walleye from the lake in Canada.
30 Apr, 2020
When it comes to vacations, weather seems more important than any real value to where people stay. For most of society, it seems the warmer the climate, the more they think they've officially vacationed from ordinary life. The only trouble with warm vacation spots is they don't always provide the best vacation experiences.
30 Apr, 2020
If you're interested in the fly-in fishing experience at Oak Lake Lodge, you need to master fish photography before you come. Why? Because we utilize a unique “catch and release” fish management system. This helps us maintain a steady population of the biggest fish in Canada. Unfortunately, it means you won't be able to take your fish home.
02 May, 2020
When you vacation, finding access to food is always an issue, especially when you're traveling with a big family. Having many people along on your trip also means dealing with some picky eaters. When you ultimately can't find the food you want while traveling, it only makes your vacation more of a frustration than a relaxing experience. This is all the more reason why you should try our fly-in fishing vacation package here at Oak Lake Lodge. Meals are never a problem at our lodge because we prepare in advance to make your experience the best it can possibly be. You'll also appreciate our attention to something other vacation spots don't always do: Making sure you never go hungry while still making the food healthy. If the word "healthy" sounds like it shouldn't go on vacation, having a hearty meal already means eating well. You have to keep your energy level up to fully enjoy the pristine nature around you here at Oak Lake Lodge. While providing relaxation for you is our goal, you'll have the privacy of Oak Lake where all-day fishing excursions are available at your leisure. The same goes for archery hunting out in the wilderness that's untouched by excessive amounts of tourists or industries. Despite you vacationing in one of the most undisturbed natural locations on earth, being out in the great outdoors always works up an appetite. It's why we place special emphasis on creating meals we know you're going to love. This includes some of the amazing and large fish you'll catch in Oak Lake that you can enjoy as part of a shore lunch. Take a look at what kind of meals you'll experience for every meal of the day, including the ability to snack when you want to.
Oak Lake Lodge view of docks and cabins.
02 May, 2020
When you hear the term "fly-in fishing", no doubt you immediately picture thoughts of a hideaway vacation. While accurate, you've perhaps created a new definition of what a hideaway vacation is. You've possibly become overly cynical about the term because so many hideaway vacations your family visited in the past didn't live up to expectations. This was even more disappointing considering you paid a significant amount to commune with pristine nature and a promise of few tourists. In reality, there aren't any truly pristine tourist areas left in the world other than deserted islands and uninhabited jungles. Only a few places still exist on earth where you'll get some exceptions. We're fortunate to tell you that we provide exceptions here at Oak Lake Lodge thanks to long-standing stringent plans on limiting tourists. Here in Ontario, Canada, we still have some pristine natural environments left not invaded by excess tourism or industry. The land around our lodge received government approval to stay as pristine as you can get while still allowing limited visitors at a time. We only allow 32 people in every few weeks, so you're never experiencing excess tourists. You'll also find many other differences compared to other so-called hideaway vacations. Maybe you know about other secret locations where you can essentially get lost, at least in the off-season. Even if you can sometimes successfully escape crowds in those places, they don't offer the amenities we do. Let's take a look at some of those differences and why we frequently get singled out as one of the best vacation spots within Canada and the United States. We'll help you redefine what a hideaway vacation really is.
Pork back ribs served at Oak lake Lodge, a fly-in fishing lodge in Canada.
01 May, 2020
There isn't any question that food is a top concern when traveling on vacation. You've probably had more headaches over what to eat than anything else when visiting hideaway resorts, hotels, or even bed & breakfasts. What makes this all the more problematic is the kind of food you'll find in the places where you stay. If you're staying overseas, it sometimes means consuming exotic items you've never had before, which only brings elements of risk. While the above is exciting for some people, it can bring some dangers to your health. The last thing you want is food that could potentially make you sick in a foreign location where medical facilities aren't the greatest. Here at Oak Lake Lodge, we decided that food needed a strong focus on our vacation packages. We knew that when people travel to a vacation destination, they wanted food that's substantive, yet also not overly offbeat to a point where it could cause illness. Also, based on the response of our customers, we understood that most people enjoy having traditional food. Yes, traditional food gives you a sense of home, despite being served here in a remote location where pristine nature surrounds you. Let us show you the kind of traditional food you'll find for your fly-in fishing vacation. We'll show you why it's safer and even healthier than many other foods found in other tourist destinations.
A view of Oak Lake Lodge from the lake. A fly-in fishing lodge in Ontario, Canada.
01 May, 2020
When you decide to experience our fly-in fishing vacation package here at Oak Lake Lodge, you'll immediately notice the sense of peace and quiet you'll have in comparison to other vacations. We'll remind you that when you arrive here, you're a long way from any industry. This means miles and miles of natural surroundings and not the loud bustle of traffic. With our limitations of 32 people per visit, you also eliminate concern about excessive tourists. You won't find many vacation spots on earth that don't have an excess of tourists clogging streets, or even on lakes. This sense of peace might sound like we're too far away from providing outstanding amenities. Keep in mind we fly in and provide more amenities and supplies than most lodges do that exist away from civilization.
Main dining room at fly-in fishing lodge.
01 May, 2020
Experiencing autumn during your fly in fishing vacation here at Oak Lake Lodge is like no other nature experience available in the civilized world. Even if you already live near natural areas and love doing activities in the outdoors during the fall or winter, you probably have to experience an excessive amount of people in those places. Plus if it's a vacation spot, you probably work up a considerable appetite after excessive physical exercise. The problem with the two situations above is that being in nature with too many people already ruins any claims of the surroundings being unspoiled. At a vacation resort, it also means crowded restaurants, leaving you having to wait for food when you want food immediately. You won't find either of the above unfortunate scenarios here at Oak Lake Lodge. The nature here is truly pristine because there isn't any industry around for miles. We also have limitations on how many people we let in at a time, so getting food when you want it isn't a problem. Moreover, you'll have more food here than you can probably digest. Our meals are extremely hearty and generous in their servings. The question is how much of an appetite can you generate while visiting us? When you have cooler weather, invigorating fishing, and hunting all together, you can probably get as hungry as the black bears and moose are when they forage for food this fall.
Muskie fish caught at Oak Lake Lodge
30 Apr, 2020
You've probably heard of that term "vacation from the vacation" more than once and maybe only thought of it as facetious.
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