Fish-Hawk.Net

Hey there,
Even though I have taken up ice fishing to combat my winter boredom, I still get antsy for open water fishing.
The last two years I have killed some unquality time by researching the heck out of a fishing trip.
So far we have done 2 trips to Lady Evelyn Lake, and may do that again this year
This summer however we got a new boat (18.5 Ft Tracker Targa) and my father has really gotten the fishing bug again, and Lady Evelyn is not a good boat trip (lots of rocks etc, why ruin our boat) and is a bit to far/isolated for my Dad.

I live in Mississauga, but lets call North Toronto the starting place, we are ideally looking for somewhere within 3 - 3.5 hours, cottage rental and the kicker - the lake/lakes must have muskie

The Kawartha's are out, as Balsam Lake is our primary lake, and we are looking for something different

Here's some of my thoughts

North Bay/Nippissing
Fits species and time requirements, although I have some concerns about fishing such a huge body of water - in my experience most housekeeping lodges fail to provide the need to know fishing tips to put you on fish

Land o Lakes Region
Looking at Big Gull lake - fellow fish-hawker Justin Hoffman had a great article in Ontario Out of Doors a few summers ago where he fished Big Gull, Skootamataa, and Kashawakamak - this got my juices going
Not sure about the quality of fishing though for average joes like myself, as opposed to Justin's expertise (I believe only Gull lake has musky)

French River
I have a friend who does an annual trip every year, although its typically a pickeral and bass trip - again concerns around big, unfamiliar water, quality of fishing info from lodges

Lake Restoule - don't know much about it at all - but saw this site
http://www.duenorth.net/martinscamp/


Other's tbd - any suggestions thought's here, and above most welcome

I will do my best to update as I go, in case anyone else is looking for a trip
Cheers
Gordy

You do let us know Gordy.

Good luck

don't think there are any muskies in Big Gull...

I'd do French if I were you.

Get a map of the area before you head out and you should be able to figure it out.

There are muskies in Big Gull...few and far between.
How about coming to the Ottawa area?
Or going to Lac St.Clair?

Moira Lake and Stocco also are not too far, hold muskie and also have cottage rentals and other accomodations around...

Good luck though!

J

Gordy28: if you are looking at the North Bay area have you considered Lake Nosbonsing. It is a few miles south of North Bay and contains Musky, Pike, Walleye, Bass both Largemouth & Smallmouth, and various panfish. There are also quite a few cottages and resorts. Also I do believe they even have a club that holds a pike derby every year.

Hey there
Thanks for the tips
Definitely going to check out Nosbonsing, Moira/Stoco and keepo searching
I thought about Ottawa and the river, especially after the pics I have seen here - but it is outside of the driving range of 3 - 3.5 hours
Another place I have been looking at is Georgian Bay - think if we did it, we may invest in a guided tour
Other thought after talking to the boys was Pigeon Lake, as it is one lake in the Kawarthas we have never fishing, and being so close to Buckhorn etc, maybe we could fish two lakes