For Canadian Fishing at its Finest...
Fish Lac Seul & Williams Lake
Lac Seul
Lac Seul is a large reservoir in Northwestern Ontario, Canada stretching from Sioux Lookout on the east to Ear Falls on the west. Plentiful walleye, huge northern pike, and underfished smallmouth bass are the “big three” in our isolated south-central portion of the lake. This area is a very long boat trip away from the more crowded east and west ends of Lac Seul and therefore has little fishing pressure. Also, walleyes from all parts of the lake migrate to the deep-water basins of the south-central section during the mid to late summer period. This makes for some of the best walleye fishing during July and August when the weather is nice, and the bugs are fewer. Lac Seul has stained water making for good daytime walleye fishing, even on a bright sunny day. Because of the perfect habitat and abundance of forage (whitefish, cisco, rainbow smelt, and perch), walleyes 8 to 12 pounds are more common than 6 to 8 pounders in most other lakes in this area. Quantity is also the rule. Expect to catch and release many limits during your stay, and possibly capture your “personal best”. Lac Seul is, without question, one of the best walleye lakes in the world. But don’t take our word for it. Check out these articles to learn just how incredible this fishery is.
Williams Lake
If your looking for trophy northern pike and smallmouth bass, then Williams Lake is for you. Trophy northern between 40 and 47 inches are taken each season. Due to Williams’ forage base of cisco, whitefish, rainbow smelt, and perch, a 50 incher is a real possibility. Smallmouth bass are very underfished and we get many in the 19 inch class. A few over 20 inches are caught each year. Williams Lake is a deep, spring fed lake of about 4000 acres with much clearer water than Lac Seul. Cabbage weeds will grow to a depth of about 15 feet with Sandgrass even deeper. Compare this to Lac Seul’s deep weed line at about 7 feet. The water at this relatively shallow deep weed line on Lac Seul is too warm to hold giant pike in the summer. So go catch all species, including a trophy Walleye, all summer long, on the cool water deep weedline of Williams Lake. Rounding out this fishery are yellow perch and lake whitefish. Give them a try for a change of pace and a tasty treat. We are the only camp on Williams Lake and there are no private cabins either. With the majority of our anglers fishing Lac Seul every day, the lake receives very little pressure, so give it a try.
Our Guests Say...
This lodge is perfectly situated and Ken and Kathy are really nice hosts. You will enjoy your stay here. The price is reasonable and fishing is great. Nothing fancy but beautiful scenery and very nice camp vibe.
Had a blast staying at the outpost last week. Ken, Kathy and everyone at the lodge made sure everything was taken care of and we had a great time. Cant wait to make another trip!
Great experience. Caught incredible number of fish. Owners are tremendous.
Absolutely wonderful place to get away to and get some lake action. You come for the fishing and want to stay for the hospitality (and fishing!). Ken and Kathy are some of the most welcoming people I have had the pleasure of meeting. I know our whole group looks forward to another trip up!
World Class Walleye
“Extreme Walleye Angler” TV host Karl Kalonka joined us to film a fall walleye show. Watch Karl and our head guide, Brian Tourond have some fun.
Fishing Regulations
All packages include an 8 day conservation fishing license for each adult. An Ontario Fishing Outdoors Card is not included. It is needed to get a license. If you have one, be sure to bring it. The Outdoors Card and other licenses are available at cost. See fishing licence fees for non-Canadian residents. The fees listed are in Canadian dollars and we will give the current exchange rate when you pay in U.S. dollars. No fishing license is included or required for children paying 1/2 price, when fishing with a licensed adult.
Williams Lake Lodge seasons, bag limits, and size limits:
- Walleye and Sauger or any combination: Season opens 3rd. Saturday in May. None over 18″ may be kept. With a Sport license, 4 under 18″ may be kept. With a Conservation license, 2 under 18″ may be kept.
- Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass or any combination: Season open all year. From January 1 thru June 30, with a Sport license, 2 may be kept (must be under 13.5″). With a Conservation license, 1 may be kept (must be under 13.5″). From July 1 through November 30, with a Sport license, 4 may be kept with no size limit. With a Conservation license, 2 may be kept with no size limit.
- Northern Pike: Season open all year. None over 27.5″ may be kept. With a Sport license, 4 under 27.5″ may be kept. With a Conservation license, 2 under 27.5″ may be kept.
- Muskellunge: Season opens 3rd. Saturday in June. None may be kept with either license.
- Yellow Perch: Season open all year. With a Sport license, 50 may be kept. With a Conservation license, 25 may be kept.
- Lake Whitefish: Season open all year. With a Sport license, 12 may be kept. With a Conservation license, 6 may be kept.
You must pinch the tail closed when measuring fish. Fish that are to be kept must be killed immediately. Put them on ice in a cooler. You are not allowed to have filleted fish in the boat. Your limit includes fish in the freezer at camp, fish in your possession, plus the fish eaten at shore lunch that day. For more information, please read Ontario General Fishing Regulations and Specific to Zone 4 Regulations. Williams Lake and Lac Seul are both in Zone 4.
How To Get Your Fishing License
An 8 day Conservation license is included in the package price. Others can be purchased at camp or you can purchase them online here:
If you already have a Conservation license (full year or eight day) when you get to Williams Lake Lodge, we will credit $35.05 Canadian (adjusted to U.S. dollars at the current exchange rate) to your account . We do not give any credit if you already have a Sport license.
If you are going to get your license from us, please fill out and submit the following form for each person wanting a license. Submit the form at least a week before your arrival date and we will have your license ready for you when you get here. Study the above license fees and descriptions, and the seasons, bag limits, and size limits carefully before choosing the type of license that you want. We cannot change the type of license once it is made out. You will find a fill in form to complete and submit to Williams Lake Lodge here:
Fishing License Information Form
Conservation Policy
As sportsmen and conservationists, we are interested in preserving our fish and game for our children and our children’s children. We ask that you enjoy your stay with us for what it really is – a peaceful retreat from the busy routine. Catch tons of fish, but release all but what you really need to eat.
Williams Lake Lodge camp policy: We fully support the MNR’s size regulatons and are taking them a step further. All walleyes over 18″ and all northerns over 27.5″ must be released. C.P.R (Catch, Photo, and Release) is the key to maintaining our fabulous fishery. Keep some small ones to eat (they are the best tasting) and let the rest continue to grow. If you want one for the wall, a replica will last longer and you have the satisfaction of knowing that your trophy still swims. A conservation fishing license will be included in the package price.
To further encourage the release of trophy fish, Williams Lake Lodge will award a free housekeeping trip (boat gas in excess of 10 gallons not included), for the next year, to the anglers who release the longest walleye and the longest northern pike of the season. We need good pictures showing both ends of the fish in the measuring trough. Do not weigh the fish.
Tips for successful Catch and Release:
- Pinch the barbs down on hooks. This is suggested, but not required.
- Always wet your hands before touching a fish you want to release. This reduces the amount of protective slime you will rub off the fish.
- Do not grab a fish by the eyes.
- Avoid touching the gills.
- When using a net (neoprene mesh is best) remove the fish as soon as possible so as not to rub off the protective slime.
- Time is essential. Quickly play and release the fish. A fish played for too long will be too exhausted to recover.
- Keep the fish in the water as much as possible. Remove the hook as quickly as possible. Single barbless hooks can often be removed while the fish is still in the water.
- Cut the line and leave the hook in on deeply hooked fish.
To revive an unconscious fish hold it horizontally in the water. This may take a few minutes. Do not move the fish backwards through the water. When it begins to struggle, release it.
Boats
Our 18′ Crestliner Kodiak boats all have a flat, vinyl-covered floor, front casting deck, three pedestal seats, and color sonar. All boats are powered by Yamaha 50HP, or 60HP, 4 stroke, electric start motors. The motors also have Yamaha’s “Variable Trolling Switch” on the tiller handle. This “VTS” allows you to adjust the trolling speed in 50-rpm increments. This works great for slow backtrolliing. These boats are built for the big water and are big, comfortable, and safe. See them on the Boats page. We supply one boat for each two people. Minnow buckets and landing nets are provided. A life jacket is required for each person in the boat. Please bring your own.
