Ontario family-friendly fishing lodges

Fishing lodges for beginners

For families new to fishing, the Experience Fishing program is offered at participating lodges in Ontario. Aimed at introducing new anglers to the sport in a positive, fun and educational way, guests receive basic instruction on the fundamentals of fishing, followed by a guided trip with equipment provided.

Below is a selection of participating lodges. Find a full list of great fishing lodges for beginners in Northwest Ontario, Sault Ste. Marie and Algoma and in Northeastern Ontario.

Crane’s Lochaven Wilderness Lodge

Just under four hours from downtown Toronto, Crane’s Lochaven Wilderness Lodge is a mainstay of the Ontario fishing lodge experience.

Accessible by boat only on the historic French River, a water taxi is provided to deliver you to this family-owned resort.

Experience fishing packages include fully serviced private cabins, cleaning service, three meals a day, access to fishing boats, kayaks, unlimited gas and live lures.

Location: French River

Dog Lake Resort

North of Thunder Bay in Northwest Ontario, Dog Lake Resort caters to anglers and outdoor enthusiasts, including families new to the sport.

Choose from rustic cabins, houseboats or stay in the RV campground. The marina rents fishing boats and guided service is available with advance reservations.

Location: north of Thunder Bay

Pine Portage Lodge

Experience the ultimate bonding family adventure at this fly-in resort on Kabinakagami Lake, north of Wawa.

Stay in a cozy cabin and choose either a full meal plan or a housekeeping package. In addition to great fishing for walleye, northern pike, whitefish, and perch, the property features hiking and mountain biking trails, as well as a beach for swimming.

Location: Kaby Lake, north of Wawa

Mar Mac Lodge Wilderness Resort

Experience a wilderness fishing adventure on the remote Esnagi Lake in Algoma Country.

Mar Mac Lodge provides all the comforts you need for an unforgettable family vacation. Tailored for first-time anglers, the Discover Fishing Package is ideal for families seeking a bonding experience. 

Location: Esnagi Lake, Algoma

Self-catering fishing outfitters

Self-catering or housekeeping lodges are often a great option for families looking for an unstructured fishing vacation.

Housekeeping outfitters usually provide onsite staff to help direct families on where to go and how to fish safely. In addition, they often include light housekeeping services such as linen changes.

Guests are responsible for their meals and can come and go as they please, fishing according to their schedule.

Consider your next family fishing vacation with these housekeeping adventures:

Bear Lake Lodge

Located on Bear Lake just outside Noelville, lakefront cottages offer panoramic views, and the gentle, sandy beach is a great place for kids to play.

Cast right off the dock or rent a 14-foot aluminum boat with a 9.9 horsepower motor and fish pickerel, pike, muskie, bass and panfish. Kayaks and paddleboard rentals are free for guests.

Location: 121 Bear Lake Road, Noëlville

Waterfalls Lodge

Just outside the town of Spanish is the welcoming Waterfalls Lodge.

Customize your visit with a range of plans, ranging from accommodation-only to full meal plans. The fishing on Tube Lake and the chain of lakes it’s connected to is incredible. Target smallmouth bass, walleye, northern pike, lake trout, perch and panfish. The small, sandy beach features water toys, hydro bikes, canoes, kayaks and a floating trampoline that will keep kids entertained.

Location: 432 Waterfalls Road, Spanish

Bear’s Den Lodge

Bear’s Den Lodge is a family-run business in the heart of the French River Provincial Park in Northeastern Ontario.

This historic lodge was built in 1925 and continues to deliver unforgettable fishing adventures for families and anglers of all levels.

Choose from all-inclusive meal plans or housekeeping plans. Whether you boat in or fly in, Bear’s Den Lodge is the perfect destination for a family fishing trip.

Location: 2870 J Hartley Bay Road, Alban

Outpost Lodge

With cozy, fully equipped cottages and a main lodge dining room serving three meals a day, Outpost Lodge offers the flexibly to personalize your family fishing vacation.

Review a summary of the popular fish in the area before heading out for a day of fishing and make time for other fun activities, like hiking and swimming.

Location: 8572 ON-129, Thessalon

Snowshoe Camp Resort

This year-round resort delivers the ultimate family getaway in all seasons.

For families looking for angling adventure, boat rentals are available for summer fishing trips, while ice huts invite you to try your hand at ice fishing in the winter.

Location: Trans-Canada Highway, Thessalon

Como Lake Resort

Located inside the Chapleau Crown Game Preserve, Como Lake Resort is the only lodge on the lake. 

It features private cabins that can accommodate families of varying sizes, along with full kitchen amenities and three-piece bathrooms. In addition to fishing, there’s an on-site playground, indoor and outdoor games and sports for kids and a fire pit on the beach.

Location: Highway 101Esher-Healy Road, Chapleau

Hall’s Cottages

Located on the magnificent Honey Harbour of Georgian Bay, Hall’s self-catered cottages are perfect for a family-friendly fishing trip.

With cabins right on the water and fishing boats for rent, there are plenty of fishing opportunities from deep open water, sheltered bays, inlets, islands and channels.

The simple, clean cottages have everything you need for an incredible week getting away from it all and focusing on catching your dinner. The property has a sandy beach, a playground, canoes and paddle boats for guests. Nearby attractions include Sainte-Marie Among the Hurons and Discovery Harbour.

Location: 14 Bluewater Road, Honey Harbour

Little Hawk Resort and Marina

Just south of Algonquin Park, Little Hawk Resort and Marina is situated in both the Muskoka and Haliburton regions, prime zones for fishing and a perfect spot for a summer vacation.

With everything from suites and cottages to the “Sunrise Mansion,” there’s an accommodation style to fit your needs. The cottages feature fully stocked kitchens. Boat rentals with bait and tackle are available, and staff will direct you to the local hot spots to fish for lake trout and smallmouth bass.

There’s also an outdoor playground and a sandy beach with a water trampoline, a slide into the water and a big jacuzzi.

Location: 2049 Little Hawk Lake Road, Algonquin Highlands

Severn Lodge

Severn Lodge is on a lake called Gloucester Pool in the Trent Severn Waterway.

Stay in a cottage equipped with a kitchen or opt for a lodge room and enjoy country dining in the main lodge dining room. Watercrafts available include canoes, kayaks and fishing boats for rent. Common fish in the area include largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, pickerel, pike, panfish and muskie.

Parents will love the supervised kids’ activities. Crafts, watersports, beach bonfires, corn roasts and more are organized throughout the summer. With programs catering for kids from 2-to-12 years old, there are also babysitters available in the evening for an extra charge.

Location: 116 Gloucester Trail, Port Severn

Muskie Bay Resort

Situated on Rice Lake’s auspiciously named Muskie Bay, this family-friendly resort has been operating since 1934. Select from weekly cottage and trailer rental packages.

The cottages have kitchens, and boat rentals are available. Additional activities include tubing, a water slide, a floating trampoline, a sandy beach and a playground.

Location: 249 Robins Road, Roseneath

Tower Manor Lodge

On the south shore of Rice Lake, Tower Manor Lodge offers one-, two-, and three-bedroom cottages equipped with air conditioning and satellite TV.

Each cottage features a kitchen equipped with a full-sized fridge and all the necessary cooking essentials. Boat rentals are available to get you on the water and catch pickerel, sunfish, muskie, perch and bass. With an in-ground, heated pool, a recreation hall and a playground on-site, kids will be happily entertained rain or shine.

Location: 5194 Tower Manor Road, Bewdley

Alpine Resort

Nestled on the south shore of Rice Lake, Alpine Resort offers two, three and four-room cottages complete with kitchens. They also feature fish cleaning huts with chest freezers to preserve your catch.

Rice Lake abounds with pickerel, sunfish, muskie, perch and bass. When not fishing, there are canoes and kayaks, a pool, basketball and volleyball courts, a playground and arcade games in the recreation room. The ice cream scoop shop is a big hit with families.

Location: 449 Island View Road, Roseneath

Full-service fishing resorts and lodges

Consider a full-service fishing lodge if you’re looking for a fishing vacation destination that takes care of all the planning for you.

Full-service lodges are designed to eliminate the day-to-day responsibilities by offering meals, housekeeping service and often guiding, as well as recreational watersports and other land-based activities. Many full-service lodges offer packages for families to fish and play around the lodge’s kitchen schedule for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Most family-friendly luxury fishing lodges are located in Northern Ontario, such as:

Esnagami Lodge

Treat your family to a fly-in fishing trip on Esnagami Lake, north of Nakina in Northwest Ontario to enjoy comfortable log cabins, delicious meals and guided fishing experiences.

Ask about custom-designed and discounted packages for family groups.

Location: North of Thunder Bay

Old Post Lodge

Steeped in history dating back to its origins as a Hudson’s Bay trading post established in 1786, Old Post Lodge has undergone a remarkable transformation into one of Ontario’s premier fishing lodges. This cherished piece of Canadian heritage has been meticulously restored to its former glory, evoking the spirit of the Hudson’s Bay era while offering cozy accommodations with modern comforts and amenities.

Nestled amidst the pristine wilderness of Northwestern Ontario, Old Post Lodge boasts an idyllic location where the tranquil waters of Lake St. Joseph abound with trophy walleye and northern pike. Guests embark on unforgettable fishing, guided by seasoned experts who ensure an unparalleled northern fishing experience. Create lasting memories with your family at this historic fishing lodge.

Location: 1 Old Post Trail, Osnaburgh

Lodge Eighty Eight

Lodge Eighty Eight is north of Wawa and can be accessed by floatplane or train. Far from any roadway, you’ll feel like you’re in the middle of nowhere.

With several cabin options, you can choose to have your meals with the American Plan or cook for yourself. Walleyes, pike, perch, lake trout and brook trout can be found on the lakes surrounding the lodge and with over 60 years of local knowledge, they’ll direct you to the best fishing spots.

There are plenty of places to swim around the lodge, plus they have a tube you can tow behind your boat. And if the weather isn’t cooperating, the game room features a pool table, games and even a TV if you want to watch the game.

Location: Mile 88, CPR West of Chapleau, White River

Stormer Lake Lodge

Directly north of Kenora, this is nearly as far north and west as you can go in Ontario. Stormer Lake and the nearby Kirkness Lake are known for walleye and pike.

Stormer Lake Lodge is a 21-hour drive from downtown Toronto; however, you can also fly to Red Lake and organize transportation to Stormer Lake.

With a number of different cottages, flexible packages can include three meals a day, guiding services and fishing boats. The main lodge has a pool table and a big screen TV.

Location: Kenora, Unorganized

Wolseley Lodge

Wolseley Lodge has been operating on the French River since 1928, offering cabins that range in size from one to four bedrooms. The American Plan package includes all meals and a fishing boat with all the gas you’ll need.

And of course, enjoy excellent fishing on the French River; you’ll find a range of fish including walleye, northern pike, bass, perch, sunfish and rock bass.

There’s a fun pirate ship playground for younger kids, a games room with board games and a pool table, plus at Sandy Beach, jumping off the docks provides endless entertainment.

Location: 2652 Ontario 528, 2652 ON-528, Noëlville

In Ontario, there are numerous opportunities for families to enjoy fishing, outdoor recreation, and most importantly, quality time together.