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Posts: 29
| Starting to do some looking into a guided fishing trip to a premier destination. My Father-in-law turns 60 next summer and he's spent more time in a boat with me over the past 12 years than anyone else by a large margin. We've talked about doing a Canadian fishing trip and have just never put anything together. For his 60th Birthday I want to get a trip together that we can talk about for years to come. We've primarily walleye fished over the years with a few fun bouts of Pike fishing which he loved. I'm thinking of trying to put together a 4 day 5 night trip where we could a day or two of walleye fishing and a day or two of Musky fishing with the likely hood of hooking some decent Pike in the mix. FYI, our home waters are Lake Sakakawea in ND.
The tough part is every web site, and every guide, and every lake has it's own merits and looks like the real deal. I don't want to break the bank and would like to do a full service deal with lodging, meals, boat, and guide. I'm willing to split the lodging and the guide if needed but would like to try and have it fairly inclusive. We own decent fishing gear but it would be nice if we are short something if they guide or lodge would be able to provide it even if it's for a fee. Does anybody have any recommendations. Currently looking at some options for the Eagle Lake, ON area. The only good reputable recommendations I've received fishing wise was a lodge/guide up on Reindeer Lake, Saskatchewan, however there are no Musky, only pike, walleye and lake trout. It came highly recommended from a few guys that have been on multiple guided hunting and fishing trips that I know well.
I'm open to ideas and suggestions. Personal references are best!
Thanks |
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Posts: 29
| FYI, I wouldn't mind something relatively remote, I'm not a fan of fishing in the mix with a bunch of other boats. If possible I would like it to be within driving distance of central ND. Not afraid to drive 10-15 hours to make it happen though. |
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Posts: 8781
| SLE, I've stayed at Andy Myers Lodge 6 times in the last 7 years. Hope to make it back this year for #7. It was supposed to be a one time deal, i.e. I always wanted to go to Canada. There's plenty of lodges on Eagle. I've thought about trying some of them. But if it ain't broke... You can taylor your trip to whatever you want - you can do a pike day, walleye day, lake trout, smallies, and of course, muskies. Break it up into half days if you want, guided one day, on your own the next. They do fly outs, shore lunch if that's your thing, 4x4 trips to area lakes. We do the American plan, so we don't have to worry about cooking or when or what to eat. Food is good, never been hungry. Wanted to try other camps, but AML has never given us a reason to go anywhere else. |
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Posts: 8781
| I now have a reason to go somewhere else... North Shore Lodge.
Scott Jaeger, one of AML's top guides, has just purchased NSL. Never stayed there, don't know much about it, but we've had the privilege of fishing with Scott a few dozen times over the years. Scott has been guiding that area of Eagle Lake for 20+ years. We've seen and caught more big fish with Scott than with anyone else. Our best day on Eagle, with 6 fish (34, 37, 37, 44, 45, 47" was in Scotties boat. Our best memories on Eagle have been in Scotties boat. He's a good guide, a good friend, and an all around good guy. I have no doubt that he will take NSL to the next level, and provide his guests with the best Canadian fishing experience they can hope to have. Not to say anything bad about AML. Quite the contrary. Herbie runs a tight ship. Top notch talent there as well. I would stay at either camp without reservation. But knowing that Scottie is now at the helm of NSL? That may very well be this year's trip. |
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Posts: 480
| Linda Rice's place Moosehorn lodge at Lac Seul is something special. Great walleye fishing, huge pike and has world record muskies roaming around too. I've met and fished with Linda and a few of her guides and they all are top notch. I hope my son or son in law takes me there when I'm sixty. |
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Posts: 29
| Thanks for the recommendations guys! How busy were those lakes the last time you fished them? Also, I'll take any recommendations to places that lack musky so long as you can count on some huge pike. Personally, I would like to do some musky fishing but that's probably more on by bucket list than my FILs. The one thing this trip has to deliver is for me to put my FIL on a lake with a guide where I can count on him hooking into a 20+ lb Musky or Pike. Frankly, he wont care if it's a pike or a musky. |
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Posts: 8781
| We go the first week in August. We've had to bypass a few spots over the years due to other boats fishing them, but it's not what I'd call crowded. |
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Posts: 256
| If you haven't looked at Rowan Lake check out http://www.nielsensflyinlodge.com/ We stayed there last summer and had a blast! We only fished muskies but I know other people in camp were catching walleyes, lake trout and bass. We caught a few northerns but nothing big but the muskie action made up for it.
Grant |
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Posts: 29
| Been looking a little more at Reindeer Lake. There's no musky however it sounds like they have some great trophy pike fishing. Any feedback on this lake? |
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Posts: 189
Location: West Bend, WI | I went to Canada one time and it was to eagle lake. To be honest, I was sorry I went there. It felt like a lake in Wisconsin as far as boat traffic goes. It is huge though, so there were always spots to "get away" to. We didn't find out until we got there that there is no night fishing. Kind of bummed us out because we really enjoy that. |
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Posts: 8781
| mrmatt - 12/11/2013 4:16 PM
I went to Canada one time and it was to eagle lake. To be honest, I was sorry I went there. It felt like a lake in Wisconsin as far as boat traffic goes. It is huge though, so there were always spots to "get away" to. We didn't find out until we got there that there is no night fishing. Kind of bummed us out because we really enjoy that.
I was sorry at first, too. After numerous high 40's fish in the bag, and a few big fish encounters, I was starting to change my mind. Then I saw IT.
Yeah, the night fishing thing is kind of a bummer, but the reasons behind the change were solid, and the resulting fishery is worth the sacrifice IMO.
Edited by esoxaddict 12/11/2013 5:34 PM
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Posts: 1310
Location: Washington, PA | Andy Meyer's Lodge on Eagle. Their is some traffic on the lake, however if you are planning on using guides for most days, they will fish different areas of the lake. |
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Posts: 45
| Regarding the Reindeer Lake ? I stayed at Tates and we traveled alot everyday...the guides fish the same spots over and over ,so it's not unusual to make a 40 minute run and find a boat already there.We even had boats from across the lake (other lodges) coming thru big water to fish the same areas with little to show for their efforts . FYI the natives have netted the lake every year (for over 30 years) to the tune of a 1/4 million pounds of fish annually and all species are included,the lake used to be good...Do yourself a favor and go to Athabasca for giant pike and lakers same price and loads of fish. |
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Posts: 217
Location: Downers Grove, IL | I've been to Eagle four times including mid-July 2x, August and mid-September. Just don't get the analogy that it "feels like Wisconsin" with regards to pressure. Had a motor crap out on East side by Skye's Reef in July, 2012. Sure wish there was another boat we could have flagged down to help tow us in! Nobody around...nobody! |
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Posts: 1767
Location: Lake Country, Wisconsin | FishHateMe - 12/12/2013 8:54 PM
I've been to Eagle four times including mid-July 2x, August and mid-September. Just don't get the analogy that it "feels like Wisconsin" with regards to pressure. Had a motor crap out on East side by Skye's Reef in July, 2012. Sure wish there was another boat we could have flagged down to help tow us in! Nobody around...nobody!
The East end has a lot more water and all around seems to get less Musky pressure. Most of the camps on that end don't get too many serious musky fisherman. Vermilion Bay though can get "crowded" for Canadian standards at certain times, and really doesn't have a huge remote feel if that is what someone is looking for. |
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Posts: 14
| I would highly recommend going to Colgroves on Eagle Lake. I have been fortunate in being able to spend around a month up there over the last few years and the fishing is great. over the last three trips with 2 in the boat we have put 14, 17 and 20 fish in the boat with and average of 44 inches. 5 fish over 50 and many more in the upper 40 range. The Fishing can be challenging and you can have a couple days where it is down right terrible, but if you pick the right week you will always have at least a couple days of fantastic fishing. Fish the full or new moon week of august or early september for your best odds at a once in a lifetime fish, without having to freeze. The Walleye and smallmouth fishing can fill in the gaps if the musky fishing is slow. the post is getting long, but if you want ill gladly share more info with you, other than a few "secret" spots. good luck |
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Posts: 379
Location: Thief River Falls MN | esoxaddict - 12/9/2013 6:15 PM
I now have a reason to go somewhere else... North Shore Lodge.
Scott Jaeger, one of AML's top guides, has just purchased NSL. Never stayed there, don't know much about it, but we've had the privilege of fishing with Scott a few dozen times over the years. Scott has been guiding that area of Eagle Lake for 20+ years. We've seen and caught more big fish with Scott than with anyone else. Our best day on Eagle, with 6 fish (34, 37, 37, 44, 45, 47" was in Scotties boat. Our best memories on Eagle have been in Scotties boat. He's a good guide, a good friend, and an all around good guy. I have no doubt that he will take NSL to the next level, and provide his guests with the best Canadian fishing experience they can hope to have. Not to say anything bad about AML. Quite the contrary. Herbie runs a tight ship. Top notch talent there as well. I would stay at either camp without reservation. But knowing that Scottie is now at the helm of NSL? That may very well be this year's trip.
+1^^^ |
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Posts: 540
Location: Leech Lake, Walker MN | Just take a few minutes and check out our web site Thanks for your time and consideration.Always calm waters to you Don |
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Posts: 40
| Look at staying at Century Lodge, we have gone there the last 5 years and it is always
good fishing. They are on the south end of the lake, the nearest lodge is about 45 - 50 min. away by water so not too many of them are coming to the south end. Every once in a while you wile see a boat from north shore lodge, so what does that tell you if they are driving 50 min to get there.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WH_Nh1eoVgg
They have a full meal package with excellent food, as for the cabins, hay it's a lodge, you don't go for the comfort, you go for the fishing, and the fishing is great. |
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Posts: 29
| Just thought I'd post an update; I ended up booking a trip to Dunlop's Fly-in Lodge on Lake Waskaiowaka in Northern Manitoba. This is first and foremost a Pike fishery and is the only lodge on the lake. Based on the reports that I've heard, discussions with the owner and so forth I have every expectation that we will be on some trophy pike, hopefully all goes well. The trip fell within my budget, is about a 12 hour drive (and short plane ride) from home, and offers exactly what I was looking for minus the Muskie Fishing. I'll have to save that trip for another time! Thanks for the recommendations, I will certainly post back with my review of the lodge, the lake, and most important, the fishing later this summer after our trip.
Thanks Again, |
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Posts: 1036
| Boy, that Rowan Lake adventure looks amazing! May have to save up for that one. |
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Posts: 1169
Location: New Hope MN | Just my $.02, but Rowan was the best lake I've been at. Went to Nielsen's two times in the 90's.
Giant dumb musky, Pike, lakers, bass, walleye, scenery... it had it all. Not to forgot you never see another boat until you hit the dock.
If it is a once in a life time trip you never want to forget, go there.
Edited by dtaijo174 3/19/2014 1:02 PM
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Posts: 1036
| Hey dtaijo174, did you take the American Package or the Housekeeping Package?
I'm used to doing the cooking in Canada and think that the Housekeeping Package, with a guide for two days and an upgraded boat would be a blast. |
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Posts: 1169
Location: New Hope MN | vegas492 - 3/19/2014 2:03 PM
Hey dtaijo174, did you take the American Package or the Housekeeping Package?
I'm used to doing the cooking in Canada and think that the Housekeeping Package, with a guide for two days and an upgraded boat would be a blast.
We did the American plan. However, I highly prefer the housekeeping plan as well. I remember having a mini panic attack waiting for dinner and seeing a nice front roll in. Shoulda been on the water.
I know Don offers housekeeping plans, but I'm not sure how much it costs to fly your food in.
Edited by dtaijo174 3/20/2014 6:45 AM
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Posts: 540
Location: Leech Lake, Walker MN | We will do what ever it's takes for you to get your personal best here maps spots
Food conversation I don't provide BEER but I will take care of you and untill you have seen it for your self well it's just a very special place I wish I could just have every fisherman here at my cost just to have the expieriance and see what's really here it's amazing really. |
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Posts: 540
Location: Leech Lake, Walker MN | We will do what ever it's takes for you to get your personal best here maps spots
Food conversation I don't provide BEER but I will take care of you and untill you have seen it for your self well it's just a very special place I wish I could just have every fisherman here at my cost just to have the expieriance and see what's really here it's amazing really. |
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Guided Muskie/Walleye Vacation - Eagle Lake?