Lodge on the McLennan Lake
Family fishing and adventure lodge in Chapleau in Ontario (just four hours from the Michigan border).
It offers a rich variety of fishing opportunities for Walleye, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Brook Trout, Whitefish and Perch.
* Note: The water is regularly tested and is drinkable. The cottage is located in the wild, so it has limited internet access.
Fishing at the cottage:
The cottage is located on Lake McLennan, where the dominant species is walleye. Walleye fishing on the lake is good because it catches a normal size in the range of 1 to 3 pounds (0.5-1.4 kg). Larger ones in the range of 4 to 6 pounds (1.8-2.8 kg) are also caught, but are not as common. You can also catch northern pike and whitefish in the spring.
The lake is smaller than some of the great lakes in the area, and is crystal clear. Catch and release program for walleye. You can keep any pike and whitefish you catch.
Lakes:
Within 10 to 60 minutes from the cottage are dozens of beautiful fishing lakes. Most lakes have no camps or huts, and on many lakes you will be the only one fisherman. We leave the boats on trailers ready to tow. Ideally, if you want to enjoy the fantastic Walleye fishing in the area, you should have a pick-up, jeep or SUV with a trailer and a 2-inch ball. 4×4 drive is an added bonus in the spring when some roads are muddy.
Walleye:
The lakes in the area sometimes bring up to dozens of walleye caught per day, even in sizes of about 4.5 kilos.
Larger lakes are inhabited by larger walleye, but are harder to find.
How to catch Walley
Spring:
In the spring, 90% of Lake Walleye’s population will be either directly along the shore near sandy areas, in small streams and rivers. The reason they are there is because they are rubbing on the sand.
Lures: ideal for shallower waters – wobbler, spoon, rubber bait with a smaller jig head.
Colors: red, yellow, tiger,…
The best way to find Walley is to troll along the coast until you reach them, then turn off the engine and start throwing or moving around the area. In the spring, the Walleyes are one of the easiest hunts, which is one of the reasons why they are so popular.
Late spring to summer:
Rock points where there are a lot of waves that produce oxygen. In many smaller lakes, Walleys are hidden in weeds. There are many structures that attract minnows and you will find Walleyes in these places.
Walleye feeds very aggressively in the morning.
Bait: smaller shad teez
Bait colors: white, black, yellow, green
Hot summer afternoons:
Most guests catch walleye early in the morning or evening and then focus on northern pike in the afternoon. As afternoon sunlight penetrates the water, many people think that walleye have stopped feeding. In fact, walleye are blinded by the sun. In this case, try putting a worm or minnow on the hook and let your bait sink to the bottom.
Summer night fishing:
Just before dark, large walleye begins to move out of the deeper water. Trolling works best.
Colors: black and silver or brown and silver. When fishing at night, the best color is blue and silver.
Northern Pike:
Larger lakes produce pike over 9 kilos.
The best time to fish for northern pike is around mid-morning to late afternoon. As the sun begins to set, the angle of sunlight produces less light penetrating the water. At this time, the northern pike slows down and even stops feeding.
Smallmouth Bass:
Several lakes produce incredible fishing for black perch. They are common in the range of 0.4-1.3 kg, but guests can catch many of them in the range of 1.8-2.7 kg. There are places where you catch one after another all afternoon.
Although there are no bass on the lake near the cottage, the area is now one of the best destinations in Ontario for trophy bass fishing. The lakes near the cottage are full of these fish.
In July, August and September, Smallmouth Bass fishing is best.
Brook Trout:
Cold spring lake with trout.
Size range: 0.4-1.8kg
Beautiful streams and several lakes in the area are great opportunities for trout fishing.
Whitefish:
McLennan Lake has a good whitefish population. They are common in the range of 0.8-1.6kg, but can reach up to 7 kilos in larger lakes!
The best time in the spring before hatching flies. The fly fishing technique is becoming increasingly popular. On a quiet spring evening, guests quietly plunge into one of the back coves and begin to toss dry flies on the surface. Whitefish fight as if they have a devil in them, and it’s a lot of fun on a light fly rod.
Ships and engines:
Boats and engines either on the water in the cottage or on trailers waiting to be towed to any number of lakes in the area. If you want to tow a boat and fish on another lake, you need a towing device with a 2-inch ball. You can also bring your own boat.
Engines:
8hp and 9.9hp Mercury engines and several 9.9hp Yamaha engines.
Ships:
The boats are 4.5m fishing boat Naden.
Boats have swivel seats, safety kits, life jackets, paddles, landing nets.
Fiberglass canoes and two 3m kayaks.
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