Guided Back Lake Excursions

Hand picked and secluded trophy fishing

At MRL, we specialize in guided back lake fishing adventures. We take you to lakes and places most people never get to see – and we do it by land, by water and by air with our fleet of extreme terrain vehicles, boats and float plane. No other lodge in northeastern Ontario offers this kind of comprehensive guided fishing program and the options you have to enhance your fishing experience.

With up to 15 available lakes to choose from, including our four self-guided main lakes, your Ultimate Outdoor Adventure can be whatever you want it to be. And the best part is that our guides do most of the work for you.

Guests staying with us on our All-Inclusive American Plan automatically get one guided trip to Wicksteed Lake during their stay. Complete with shore lunch, this is by far our most popular adventure. Others choose our Deluxe Fishing Package which gives them a guided trip to a different lake every day! Choose our Bucket List Adventure Package and you’ll also enjoy a Fly-in Fishing Day Trip among your daily adventures.

Regardless of what package you choose, you can add one or more guided back lake adventures to your stay. These trips are extremely popular and get booked up very quickly each year. So to avoid disappointment, we encourage you to book early. Call us and let us help you build your Ultimate Outdoor Adventure!

Add A Guided Fishing Trip To Your Stay:

We have several options for back lake fishing, some of which depend on how adventurous you feel as some lakes can be difficult to get to. Others will depend on weather, group size, and accessibility given the time of year. All our excursions are unique and provide a true Northern adventure. Those who prefer easy access and a shore lunch need to look no further than Wicksteed Lake – our most popular. We will be happy to help you choose your adventure – give us a call!

Why Choose A Guide:

Our Guides are the best in the business. Cumulatively, our guides have over 100 years guiding experience. If you’ve been here before, then most likely you fished with Bill Tregenza, Dave Simpson, Brian Dougall, Ivan Seguin, Johnny Schaafsma or Jeff Duhn. Beyond being great anglers, our guides are also great hosts ensuring your safety, making the trip enjoyable, and of course facilitating the kind of experience you’re looking for. Whether it be trophy Pike, Bass or Walleye, an awesome shore lunch, or perhaps just to learn a little bit about our surroundings, our guides will be there for you.

Please Note!

  • We do limit the number of trips we can operate per week to the very remote lakes (Bear, Chico, Largo, Hangstone, Smart) so if you’re interested, please try to book well in advance so we can slot you in. All trips and transportation options are subject to availability. MRL reserves the right to combine parties into single trips.

  • All scheduled back lake trips are booked rain or shine and are cancelable only at the discretion of MRL management. If trips are cut short due to weather, full charges will apply.

  • Small children or seniors who may not be used to the rugged terrain or the long day in a boat may not enjoy Bear, Chico, Largo, Hangstone or Smart lakes.

  • Pets are not permitted on any guided trips.

  • We are a proponent of catch and release, preserving our fisheries for generations to come. Some remote lakes are strictly catch and release.

Fishing Is Included!

Your package includes a boat and motor for every 3 adults in your party. Our boats are fully equipped, 16’ Starcraft models and include high-back swivel seats, vinyl floors with 7’ casting deck, automatic live well and bilge pump, rod holders, fish finder, 30 HP electric start motors and unlimited bait and fuel during your stay. Our main water system offers 24 kilometers (15 miles) of fishing with access into 4 different lakes for Walleye (Pickerel), Pike, Perch, Small Mouth Bass and Lake Trout. On arrival, we will provide you with a map and orientation of our water system and point you to known hot spots.

Though our focus and priority during our hunt dates is the bear hunt itself, MRL does specialize in guided remote back-lake fishing adventures. If hunters are successful in harvesting their bear early in the week, and time and resources permit, we may be able to accommodate a guided fishing trip to one of our remote lakes at additional cost if there is interest.

Our Lakes

Click on a lake to see more information and rates.

A large, diverse heavily structured lake known for quality pickerel. Fish for pickerel and you’re likely to have a Pike grab your dinner! Enjoy a shore lunch with the fish you catch fresh off the lake and prepared expertly by your guide on an open fire. Easy access provides more time to fish! Your catch will be cleaned by the guide.

  • Access: Easy
  • Requirements: 4×4 Truck (we provide)
  • Action: Minnows & worms
  • Lunch: Fresh catch of the day prepared by your guide, diced fire pit potatoes, beans and dessert

Rates for Wicksteed Lake:

  • $248.00 per person – 2 person min.
  • $124.00 per person thereafter using one guide
  • 8 people max

Note: Groups trips up to 13 people available with second guide. Rate schedule above restarts with 9th person.

A small and very remote lake and an adventure to get to. Travel by truck about 40 minutes and then about an hour by UTV into the bush. Leaves you limited time on the water but offers a quality fishing experience.

  • Access: Very limited, very remote
  • Requirements: 4×4 Truck, UTV (we provide)
  • Action: minnows & worms; Casting – spinner baits, catch & release
  • Lunch: Packed cooler – sandwiches, drinks, dessert

Rates for Largo Lake:

  • $314.00 per person – 2 person min.
  • $157.00 per person thereafter
  • 3 people maximum

Note: Access to Largo Lake may not be possible before late June each year due to high water levels at crossing. Call for more information.

A small remote lake with shallow water surrounded by rocks, underwater structure, coves and plentiful bass. Expect lots of action with sizes ranging from 1 lb to 6 lbs. Travel by truck about 45 minutes and then about an hour by UTV into the bush. Leaves you limited time on the water but offers a quality fishing experience.

  • Access: Very limited, very remote, some rough terrain
  • Requirements: 4×4 Truck, UTV (we provide)
  • Action: Live bait – minnows & worms Casting – spinner baits, catch & release
  • Lunch: Packed cooler – sandwiches, drinks, dessert

Rates for Chico Lake:

  • $314.00 per person – 2 person min.
  • $157.00 per person thereafter using one guide
  • 3 people max.

Note: Access to Chico Lake begins in June each year. Call for more information.

A large, remote lake reached by truck or UTV and our second-most popular remote lake destination. Combine back-lake fishing with a guided UTV trip and you get twice the adventure! Walleye and Northern Pike fishing or the smallmouth bass enthusiast.

  • Access: Moderately easy, slow going over rough terrain
  • Requirements: 4×4 Truck or UTV (we provide)
  • Action: Live bait – minnows & worms
  • Lunch: Packed cooler – sandwiches, drinks, dessert

Rates for Hangstone Lake:

  • $286.00 per person first 2 or 3 people (2 person min.)
  • $143.00 per person thereafter using one guide
  • 5 people max.

Note: Rates based on shared UTV transportation plus one UTV for towing second boat if required.

A small, remote lake, a unique experience and a sure bet for exciting bass fishing. Fish are plentiful and range from 2 – 6 pounds!
  • Access: Moderately easy, slow going over rough terrain.
  • Requirements: 4×4 Truck or UTV (we provide)
  • Action: minnows & worms.
  • Lunch: Packed cooler – sandwiches, drinks, dessert.

Rates for Smart Lake:

  • $286.00 per person first 2 or 3 people (2 person min.)
  • $143.00 per person thereafter using one guide
  • 5 people max.

A beautiful picturesque lake – some say the prettiest. Lots of Walleye and Northern Pike fishing-they can get big! Unlike Wicksteed, the use of artificial bait here requires different fishing techniques, but the rewards can be substantial.

  • Access: Limited, remote – seasonal access
  • Requirements: 4×4 Truck, UTV (we provide)
  • Action: Trolling, Casting, artificial baits
  • Lunch: Packed cooler – sandwiches, drinks, dessert

Rates for Bear Lake:

  • $314.00 per person, 2 person min.
  • $157.00 per person thereafter using one guide
  • 3 people max.