Canada – Lac La Martre

FISHING TRIP TO CANADA – UNFORGETTABLE ADVENTURE

We invite our guests to an unforgettable fishing adventure under the midnight sun or the magical glow of the Aurora Borealis in the untouched and remote wilderness of Canada. This remote, fly-in-only fishing lodge is located on Clemy Island, an island in the middle of the lake, on the secluded shores of Lac La Martre, the third largest lake in the Northwest Territories with an area of 1,687 km². Experience with us incomparable fishing for trophy pike and large lake trout (namaycush) in the crystal-clear waters of Lac La Martre, combined with a unique nature experience.
Welcome to Canada!

TOP 10 REASONS FOR A FISHING TRIP TO CANADA

• Huge lake with an area of 1,687 km², 14 times larger than Lake Müritz
• The Lac La Martre Fishing Lodge is the only fishing lodge on the entire lake
• Very short fishing season of only 12 weeks from mid-June to mid-September
• Virtually no fishing pressure
• The lodge is located on an island in the lake and is only accessible by floatplane
• Extensive shallow areas – ideal for pike fishing
• Maximum depth of only 20 m
• Colorful lake trout (namaycush) as a bonus
• 2 anglers per guide
• Unique nature experience in the Canadian wilderness

WHAT TO EXPECT ON YOUR CANADA FISHING ADVENTURE

This is how your fishing adventure begins:

With the international flight, you usually arrive in Yellowknife in the evening or during the night and spend the first two nights at a local hotel. With its modern amenities and small-town charm, Yellowknife offers a number of interesting attractions, including the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre, numerous hiking trails and the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis), which are best seen between the end of August and mid-April. So take the day to look around a bit.
The next morning, you will be flown by floatplane to the Lac La Martre Lodge. The flight over the scenic landscape of Canada takes about 50 minutes before landing at the dock of the lodge in the middle of the lake. After cabin allocation and a short briefing, you head straight out onto the lake and your fishing adventure in Canada can begin.

YOUR FIRST DAY OF FISHING AT LAC LA MARTRE

You will meet your guide at the dock around 10:30 am and your first fishing day can begin. Most fishing spots can be reached within 30 to 40 minutes from the lodge. Clip your favorite pike lure to the snap and off you go.

Lunch is served on the lake. One of the many small islands is approached and the so-called shore lunch is prepared by the guide. Boneless, crispy fried pike nuggets are cooked in a pan over an open fire, with a few potato wedges, beans and corn – a simple but extremely tasty lunch.

After a good meal, the second round begins before you return to the lodge around 6:00 pm.
On our 2024 test tour, we were already able to land a total of 105 pike on the first day with two people and were overwhelmed by the amount of fish, as double hook-ups were more the rule than the exception.
After dinner, we ended the first day in a relaxed atmosphere with the first stories of the day.

FISHING DURING YOUR CANADA FISHING HOLIDAY

On the following days, you start the day in the morning with a rustic breakfast around 7:00 am.
At 8:00 am, you meet your guide at the dock of the lodge and start the fishing day. Whether you start with pike fishing or prefer a round of lake trout (namaycush) fishing is up to you and your boat partner and the guide.

From experience, it’s worth trying for trout in the morning, as some good fishing spots are located very close to the lodge. As the shallow bays warm up a bit during the day, the pike also become much more active and attack the lures aggressively.

The fishing day ends around 5:30 pm and dinner is served for everyone an hour later. Those who still feel like going out in the evening can take an additional late round on the lake. The low midnight sun casts a particularly soft light over the landscape, and there’s hardly a better way to end the day on the water.

The fish-rich Lac La Martre has a lot of surprises in store and the lodge records speak for themselves.

Longest pike: 52″ | approx. 132 cm
Heaviest pike: 36 lbs | approx. 16 kg
Longest lake trout: 45″ | approx. 114 cm
Heaviest lake trout: 40 lbs | approx. 18 kg

Catch numbers according to Zack Brown, the lodge manager:

“We had some pike fishing days where nearly 300 pike per boat were caught and released.”

TYPICAL TRIP ITINERARY IN CANADA

Day 1: Morning departure from Europe, evening/night arrival in Yellowknife, overnight stay at hotel
Day 2: Stay in Yellowknife, overnight stay at hotel
Day 3: 6:30 am transfer to AIR TINDY float base. 8:00 am fly-out by floatplane, approx. 9:00 am arrival at Lac La Martre Fishing Lodge, cabin check-in, preparation, 10:00 am briefing, issuing of fishing licenses, boat allocation, 10:30 am start of the first fishing day until approx. 6:00 pm
Day 4–8: Five full fishing days from approx. 8:00 am to 5:30 pm, extra evening tours (approx. 7:30 pm to 10:30 pm) or extensions possible by arrangement and for an extra charge
Day 9: Fly-out by floatplane to Yellowknife around 9:30 to 10:00 am, arrival in Yellowknife, transfer to hotel, overnight stay
Day 10: Morning return flight to Europe
Day 11: Arrival at home

RECOMMENDED TACKLE FOR CANADA

There are no special requirements for suitable fishing gear here. Just pack what you’re used to using at home.
For spin fishing for pike and lake trout, we recommend a solid spinning rod with 100–120 g casting weight paired with a 4000-size spinning reel and braided mainline with a breaking strength of about 15 kg. Most of the lure sizes are between 12 and 20 centimetres in length.

When choosing lures, plan to pack a few more hardbaits than soft lures, as the latter usually have a very short lifespan. Fewer soft lures also mean less weight.
For jerkbaits or larger soft lures, a slightly heavier swimbait rod (approx. 2.40 m/up to 150 g casting weight) in combination with a 300-size baitcasting reel such as the DAIWA TATULA 300HL is perfect.
You can also bring your fly rod (class #9 to #10) and a floating line, as pike fishing mostly takes place in water depths of 0.5 to 3 metres.

Trolling equipment for trout is available on site and does not need to be brought.
If you don’t want to bring your own fishing gear, you can rent it on site for USD 50/day.

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT CANADA

• Canada is the second largest country in the world after Russia
• The capital of Canada is Ottawa
• Canada has two official languages: English and French
• The country is known for its impressive natural landscapes, including national parks, lakes and mountains
• Canada has a population of about 38 million people
• The country is famous for its friendly and multicultural society
• Canada is a leading country in the areas of education, healthcare and quality of life
• The country has a rich history shaped by Indigenous peoples and European settlers
• Canada is known for its wildlife, including bears, moose and whales
• The country is a major producer of natural resources such as wood, oil and minerals

MODERN BOATS DURING YOUR FISHING TOUR

he boats are sturdy 18-foot ALUMARINE aluminum boats with 50–60 HP outboard motors. These boats are perfect for 2 anglers plus a personal fishing guide. Equipment also includes sonar and a VHF radio.

The Lac La Martre Lodge has a total of 9 boats for a maximum of 18 anglers per week.

BEST TIME FOR YOUR CANADA FISHING TRIP

The lodge is the only one on the entire lake and is only open during the short summer season from mid-June to mid-September. Due to the large area and very short timeframe, fishing pressure is very low, offering paradise-like conditions for anglers. At the beginning of the season, you can fish almost all night under the never-setting midnight sun. Towards the end of the season, you can even expect to see spectacular Northern Lights at night.

HOW MUCH DOES YOUR CANADA FISHING HOLIDAY COST?

Price: from €6,500 (plus international flights)

Included in the price:

• 6 days of fishing, 2 anglers per boat and guide
• 6 nights in the LAC LA MARTRE FISHING LODGE, 2 anglers per cabin
• 3 nights in a double room at the CHATEAU NOVA Hotel in Yellowknife
• Each cabin at the LAC LA MARTRE FISHING LODGE is equipped with its own bathroom, shower and toilet
• Full board (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
• Breakfast and dinner are served in the lodge. For lunch, there is a choice between sandwiches and shore lunch. Shore lunch consists of boneless pike nuggets, potato wedges, beans and corn as a side dish and is freshly prepared over an open fire during a short lunch break
• Water, tea, coffee
• Fly-out by floatplane from Yellowknife (approx. 50-minute flight)
• Laundry service
• Canadian Sales Tax (GST) of 5%
• Free WiFi/internet via STARLINK

Not included in the price:

• International flights to Yellowknife
• Meals at the hotel in Yellowknife (breakfast, lunch, and dinner à la carte available).
• Single room supplement for hotel accommodation in Yellowknife: EUR 130/night
• Taxi transfer from hotel to AIR TINDY float base
• Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages (charged according to personal consumption)
• Fishing license (CAD 50)
• Rental equipment (trolling combo, rod + reel for trolling for char: USD 20/day)
• Tips and personal expenses

Further optional services:

• Evening tours or extension of the fishing day from approx. 7:30 pm to 10:30 pm possible by arrangement
  Cost: USD 250/boat
• At the lodge, there is also the possibility to purchase some fishing tackle or merchandising items

VIDEOS FROM OUR CANADA FISHING TRIPS

More videos can be found in the “CANADA” playlist on our YouTube channel.