Catch Walleye, Northern Pike, Bass, Whitefish, Perch, Speckled Trout and more!
Loch Island Lodge and Camp Lochalsh, located on the shores of Wabatongushi Lake in Ontario Canada, offer some of the best Walleye and Northern Pike fishing to be found.
The lake is 22 miles long and over 10,000 acres, with an average depth of 22 feet. The basin in front of Loch Island Lodge, which is 3 miles long by 1 mile wide, is all over 100′ deep — with the deepest hole coming in at just over 175′. This area is surrounded by points and sunken islands, making it the perfect habitat for walleye. Northern pike are plentiful in the long, weedy, shallow bays that line the shore. Whitefish, jumbo perch, and burbot also inhabit this large body of water. For more info and a detailed map of Wabatongushi Lake, visit our lake page. Also available for download is a topographical 2-page depth map of the lake (opens in new window).
In addition to Wabatongushi Lake, we offer over 10 different portage lakes and streams for additional walleye, northern pike, whitefish, perch, speckled trout / brook trout, and smallmouth bass fishing. These lakes and streams are all easily accessible via portage, and all have either aluminum boats with motors or canoes to fish from.
(Walleye Page LINK – hidden – don’t erase)
Trophy Walleye
Watch or click through our slideshow of walleye catches!
The walleye here average 1.5-2 pounds, which is the the best eating size there is. However, it’s not uncommon for our guests to catch the big ones.
Our clean, northern Ontario water not only adds to the flavor but also eases the mind with its absence of harmful contaminants. Fish fillets from Wabatongushi Lake are as clean and fresh as they can be! We recommend releasing walleye over 20″ as the younger, smaller walleye have the best taste.
There are many different techniques for walleye fishing. In our area, it’s very dependent on the time of season.
The most common question we get is what is the best time to come up fishing? Well, that depends! If you like shallow water fishing, then May and June are the times for you, as the walleye have been spawning in shallower waters. That time of year, we use jigs with live bait, typically minnows and leeches. Chartreuse or orange jigs in the 1/4 oz. range work well. During May and June, casting or “twitching” with Rapalas is also productive. Most of the fishing that time of year is done in 5-10 feet of water. Walleye are numerous and easy to catch. It is a very popular time with fishermen of all levels.
Later in July, August and September, the walleye migrate into deeper water. This migration begins around in late June or early July. During this time, the fish are leaving the shallow bays and heading for cooler, deeper water. Sunken islands, points and deep water drop offs are great spots that hold schools of walleye this time of year. The largest walleye on our leaderboard tend to be caught at this time of the season. Jigging with live bait is still a good way to catch fish, but you will have to use a heavier jig to get down deep, between 15-40 feet. Crawler harnesses and bottom bouncers tipped with night crawlers work very well for deep water walleye. Many people will also troll with weighted Hot-N-Tots or deep running Rapalas. Gold, silver, black, and orange baits work well.
(Nothern Pike Page LINK – hidden – don’t erase)
Trophy Northern Pike
Watch or click through our slideshow of northern pike catches!
For northern pike, behaviours and sizes are consistent throughout the season. These monsters have been referred to as assimilation machines. They will devour anything that crosses their path — when they feel like eating. At other times, they enjoy laying in the shallow water and “sunning” themselves; you’ll likely see pike right off the Loch Island docks! They are at the top of the fish food chain in our waters, and anything else near them is fair game for a meal, whether it is another fish or a duckling or frog. We have filleted pike in the past and found whole chipmunks inside! They average 4-5 lbs. and can go up to over twenty pounds. Their long, powerful body is a naturally designed aquatic missile perfectly adapted for quick attacks on their prey.
Pike are plentiful in Wabatongushi Lake and are also present in a number of our portage lakes. Crankbaits, big spinners with or without bucktails, or large “Suicks” work well. Another easy way to catch pike is a big sucker minnow on a bobber. The shallower, weedy bays are best for trolling.
Whitefish
In addition to walleye and northern pike, we offer exceptional whitefish fishing in June. From June to early July, when the mayflies hatch, the whitefish, which are normally a deepwater fish, come to the surface to feed. While you’re out in the boat, you’ll see and hear the whitefish leap for flies! Whitefish can be caught on a fly rod or a light spinning rod with artificial flies or a dead mayfly from the surface of the lake. They have very delicate mouths, so you have to be very careful not to set the hook too hard! Whitefish, when properly cooked, are fantastic eating. They are also wonderful when smoked.
(Speckled Trout Page LINK – hidden – don’t erase)
Speckled Trout
Watch or click through our slideshow of trout catches!
Speckled trout are found in several portage lakes and steams. Also known as brook trout, they average 10-12″ in the streams and larger in the lakes. We’ve had specks up to 7 lbs caught at some of our outpost lakes. They are extremely aggressive and pound-per-pound will outfight anything else in the area, including the northern pike.
The New Fly Fisher Visited Us
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(Perch Page LINK – hidden – don’t erase)
Delicious Perch
Perch are some of the best eating fish available anywhere. They are abundant in Wabatongushi, yet underfished. Their size is what limits most fishermen from pursuing them. Most Perch average in the 8-12″ range, although some grow to be much larger. The small size requires more to make a meal, but that’s a worthy goal to make for a day’s fishing! Generally found in shallow, weedy bays and easily caught on spreader rigs with worms, the larger ones sometimes forget their families and school with walleye. Those fish can be much bigger. The largest we’ve had in our fish shack was a whopping 17″.
(Small Mouth Bass Page LINK – hidden – don’t erase)
Smallmouth Bass
Watch or click through our slideshow of smallmouth bass catches!
Another species of aggressive fish located in two of our portage lakes is the Smallmouth Bass. Similar to their southern cousins, the Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth tend to congregate around rocky points and will favor more flowing waters. They are an aggressive fish and can be caught with the same techniques used for Northern Pike. Spinners, Rapalas, and small spoons work well. We do have a two-fish limit on Smallmouth Bass, but you can catch and release all day!
With all the water we have in our area, it would take years to explore and fish. It would be easy to spend an entire week just fishing our portage lakes, then years to tackle Wabatongushi. All of this is yours to explore for three days, four days, a week, or more. Use of any of our portage lakes and equipment is free of charge, so get out there and explore!
Welcome to Loch Island Lodge and Camp Lochalsh!
Burbot (Ling Cod)
A rare but rewarding pursuit on Wabatongushi Lake! Burbot, known as “the poor man’s lobster” due to its taste, do live in the depths of the lake, and can be caught with a heavy jig and a minnow. We are happy to fry up your burbot at shore lunch for something different! One of our favourite burbot spots is the drop-off right by Loch Island Lodge’s walkway and fire pit island.
Fishing Licenses
Fishing licenses are available for purchases at Loch Island Lodge – or online via the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. Of course, please Contact Us if you have any questions or would like to discuss a trip.
2-Page Downloadable Depth Map
A detailed topographical depth map of 22 mile long Wabatongushi Lake, that also highlights the locations of our properties, is available to download and print (available here, PDF opens in new window). And of course we have printed copies at Loch Island and Camp Lochalsh.
Any questions or need any booking info? —Â Contact Us Anytime.
More Fishing Pages:
- Photo Gallery
- Fishing Package and Rates
- Where Are We? How to Get Here…
- Accommodations
- Wabatongushi Lake
- Boats, Equipment & Services
- Outpost Lakes
- Fishing Licenses & Regulations