Ontario fishing on Wabaskang

Kingfisher Lodge is a small quiet fishing resort on Wabaskang Lake, considered by many avid fisherman to rank among the top lakes in the region. We are a drive in resort located just three hours north of International Falls. MN on Hwy 105, know as " the Red Lake road". Wabaskang is unique in that it produces five major species of fish: Walleye, Northern, Small mouth Bass, Lake Trout and Jumbo Perch. As .. for walleye and northern you will have to sample many lakes before you can top Wabaskang in terms of sheer numbers and size. This lake has a reputation among pros and beginners alike to consistently produce large numbers of fish that range from average size to "wall-hangers", and it keeps getting better! Wabaskang is included in the Cedar River Watershed area. Much work has been done over the past fifteen years to improve spawning areas, cleaning feeder streams and limiting access. these measures continue, along with conservation minded fishermen we see the fish numbers and average size increasing each year. Kingfisher Lodge is family owned and operated.

Wabaskang lake . . . Is located right at Perrault Falls on the west side of Hwy 105 (Red Lake Road).

It is connected to Perrault Lake to the south by way of the Falls River. The river and falls arrives into Wabaskang lake just a few yards from camp, spectacular to view, soothing to listen to the rushing water, and most of the time, an excellent spot to fish. Always lots of feed there, boulders, weeds and oxygenated water. A great place to pick up a few for the pan…and just yards from the dock!. Also, the ‘foot of the falls’ is a great place for kids to fish, they are always in your view and can catch Northern, bass, and perch.

FISHING SEMINAR: Breathtaking scenery, unspoiled wilderness, peace and solitude, a break from the everyday pressures of our daily lives...These are some of the reasons why thousands of ordinary people cherish their trips to Ontario, but we here at Kingfisher Lodge also realize that you also want to experience the world class fishing that the region is famous for....But guess what?

Contrary to some of the tales you may have heard...the fish don't just jump in your boat! That' right...you have to have some idea of what, when, where and how....That's where we come in.

We don't just show you your boat, hand you a lake map and turn you loose. Given the fact that our lake has an abundance of fish, you would probably figure things out in a day, two or three. But why not start as if you had fished the lake for years? All you have to do is show up at the lodge at six PM on check-in day and attend our 'orientation / fishing seminar'. We realized years ago that there are many reasons why you would want to return to Kingfisher Lodge for future trips but at the top of the list is ...how did you do fishing! After our seminar, The next morning you will know exactly where you will be fishing, but more important you will know HOW we are fishing the lake given the time of year that you are there. We work close with our valued guests and will do whatever we can to 'get you on the fish' your first time out! We are proud to state that it must be working, our repeat and referral guest list is at least seventy five percent!

Although you will rarely have to travel more than 20 minutes from camp to experience excellent fishing, Wabaskang Lake covers nearly fifteen thousand acres and has approximately one hundred and forty miles of shoreline...nearly all of which is uninhabited... except for the critters that make it their natural home...moose, bear, deer, otter, lynx, etc. as well as countless waterfowl and majestic American Bald Eagles. If man had set out to build the perfect lake he could not come close to what nature did all by itself...thank you very much! At first glance at the map it appears to be four lakes...not so...it is all one natural lake with many islands, bays and channels to explore. Looking at the Wabaskang lake map page, you can see that camp is located on a channel that flows north about three hundred yards and then into the lake proper. This channel location is ideal, the camp and dock area are well sheltered from the strongest wind and due to the current flowing thru, you can generally catch lots of Walleye, Northern, Bass and Perch without leaving sight of your cottage!

Again, referring to the Wabaskang Lake map page, you can follow the east shoreline, traveling north and finally reach the end of the lake. Here you will find a short portage (50’) and follow the river into Wine Lake, another excellent Walleye and Trout lake. To give you some idea of travel time by boat, with our sixteen footer and 20 or 25hp motor, it takes thirty minutes from camp to the portage.

After passing through the ‘first narrows’, if you follow the shoreline to the southwest, you will eventually reach the south end of the lake. This is the area where we do most if our Trout fishing. The water here can reach 100’ and is crystal clear. There is also excellent Bass fishing in this area. Travel time to this location is also about 30 minutes from camp.

The average depth of Wabaskang Lake is about 20’ and is slightly ‘stained’. (we provide everyone with a detailed topographical map of the lake) During the hottest part of the summer the surface water (top 30”) may reach seventy degrees, below the water remains quite cold and we never experience and algae or bloom (green slime) in the lake.

There are some musky in Wabaskang, but if you’re really serious about chasing these monsters, I have some excellent musky lakes nearby. We keep boats and motors on trailers so all you need is a vehicle with a trailer hitch and you can access these ‘Bush lakes’ for a great adventure and a change of pace. There is no additional charge to cottage guests for the use of this equipment.

Wabaskang Lake is almost like four lakes separated by narrow channels. All of this is navigable by just about any type of boat you might use. However, if it's a "fishy day" (the weather and other conditions are just right) your rarely have to travel more than fifteen or twenty minutes from camp to experience excellent fishing. Daily fly out fishing trips are also available.

Wabaskang Lake has an abundance of Walleye and more Northern Pike than any lake in the region. We have a good population of "Smallies" with many in the trophy category. If you like to take perch home you simply can't beat Wabaskang! You can catch them by the hundreds with many topping a pound! If you are here at the right time of year you can hook into some great Lake Trout, our largest recorded at camp topped 42 pounds! Wabaskang has hundreds of islands and sheltered bays so it is rare that the wind blows hard enough to keep you off the lake. The lake is primarily shallow ( average depth of 20 feet) and the water is considered dark or stained. The Trout are found in just one area of the lake where the depth reaches 100 feet. The lake has weed beds everywhere you look separated by unbelievable rock structure (definitely bring your portable locator). All in all there is fishing for everybody here be they pro or novice, young or old. We're not saying we have the best fishing in Canada... we're not saying all our fish are "lunkers" and trophies... what we are saying is we have lots of fish of average sizes...a good variety of fish... we're saying that if it is "fishing weather" and you follow our advice it's pretty hard to go out on Wabaskang and not have a great time catching fish!

If you want to try something different for the day you can go into one of our "Bush Lakes" in the area. This can be a lot of fun and some of them offer great fishing on your own private lake... there is no additional charge for this. If you would like to try one of the remote fly-in lakes we can arrange this for you as well. The bottom line is this: You can stay put right on Wabaskang, close to the comfort of your cottage, and catch all the fish you want, or you can fish a different lake each day...it's up to you!

If you are here at the right time of year you can hook into some great Lake Trout. Our largest recorded Lake Trout caught at camp topped 42 pounds! See if you can hook into one of these monster fighters- a challenge for any angler.

The trout are found primarily in 'Aerobus Bay' where there is 100' water. However, we have caught them right off the dock in early spring. A thirty-two pounder was caught in the 'first narrows', just five minutes from camp.

Walleyes are abundant in Wabaskang and all of the surrounding lakes in the Perrault Falls area. Walleye 3 to 5 pound fish are not uncommon with tons of pound and a half to two pounders being the norm. If you wish, we can arrange a fly in trip or drive in trip to remote lakes with little or no fishing pressure. With the right conditions, trolling around a small island in a remote lake can yield a limit of walleyes in minutes! Back at Kingfisher Camp, the modern fish cleaning houses are complete with plastic bags for freezing your catch.

Northern Pike in the 10 pound class and smaller are common throughout all of the Wabaskang area lakes. There is nothing quite as exciting as the strike of a Northern. The limit in the Perrault Falls area is 4 which is a LOT of fish. Large number 5 Mepps bucktails and top water baits such as Heddon Torpedos and Storm Lures Chug plugs are excellent choices for these freshwater barracudas. Be sure to use steel leaders or you will be buying a lot of lures. Cast into weedy bays and along the weed lines and ...Hang on!!

Yes...there are 20 pound plus northern's still in Canada! We can outfit you for an excursion to a "Out back" lake (please catch and release) that has fish like this. On a recent trip to one of our lakes, a party of 3 (wife, son, and husband) caught and released a 8 pound, 8.5 pound, 12 pound, 12.75 pound, and a whopping 18.5 pounder all in the same bay and ALL within 45 minutes!!! NONE were caught on live bait. All were released unharmed to the water and are GROWING!

Wabaskang Lake has a good population of Bass with many in the trophy category, and 2-4 pounders are not uncommon. These fish are great to catch known for their fighting, you may think you've got a Northern on the other end of your line! Not to mention.. they taste great!

Perch fishing in Wabaskang is nothing short of fantastic! They are large and plentiful, pound+ and up perch are not uncommon at all and as of this date there is a 50 Perch limit on how many you can catch, eat and/or take home! Bear in mind, like almost all other species, there is a 'best time' for catching. Best time for perch on Wabaskang Lake is generally late May and most of June. However, you can catch good numbers any time of the summer. Perch on Wabaskang Lake are exceptionally clean and few have 'bugs'.

Ontario Fishing on Wabaskang

Wabaskang Lake