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Ontario Lake Trout Musky Fishing Lake of Woods
- Published Date: January 7, 2026
- Fishing
- Lake of the Woods
- $2,000 - $8,000 price range
- Updated Date: January 9, 2026
Summary
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Lake of the Woods Action
Lake of the Woods Guided Fishing Adventure
Picture this: seven days of pure fishing bliss on one of Canada's most legendary waters, with a seasoned guide who knows every drop-off and weed line like the back of his hand. That's exactly what you get with this all-inclusive Lake of the Woods fishing package. Based right on Coney Island, you'll be staying in comfortable cabins while chasing some of the most sought-after freshwater species in North America. Guide Graeme Affleck brings decades of local knowledge to the table, and trust me, that makes all the difference when you're targeting walleye, trout, musky, and northern pike in these massive waters.
What to Expect on the Water
Your fishing adventure centers around a premium 6-hour guided session that kicks off at 1 PM – perfect timing to hit the afternoon bite when these fish really start moving. You'll be fishing from a brand-new 2023 20-foot Deep-V fiberglass boat that's built to handle Lake of the Woods' big water conditions. With 300 horses pushing you around, you'll cover serious ground and reach those honey holes that produce trophy fish day after day. The afternoon start gives you time to settle into your cabin, grab some lunch, and get pumped for what's ahead. Graeme's approach is all about reading the water and adapting to what the fish are telling us – some days that means working shallow weed beds, other days we're pulling deep structure where the big ones lurk.
Proven Techniques & Top Spots
Lake of the Woods spans over 1.4 million acres, so having a guide who knows where to find fish is worth its weight in gold. Graeme runs a mix of techniques depending on conditions and what species we're targeting. For walleye, we'll be working classic Lake of the Woods structure – rocky points, humps, and transition areas where these fish stage up to feed. Jigging with live bait or pulling spinners through the zone usually does the trick. When we're after musky and northern pike, it's all about covering water with bigger presentations – bucktails, jerkbaits, and topwater when conditions are right. The trout fishing here is something special too, especially when we target the deeper basins where these lake trout cruise around looking for easy meals. The boat's setup lets us fish everything from shallow flats to 80-foot depths, giving us options no matter what Mother Nature throws at us.
Species You'll Want to Hook
Walleye are the bread and butter of Lake of the Woods, and for good reason. These golden beauties average 16-20 inches here, with plenty of bigger fish mixed in. They're most active during low-light periods, making our afternoon trips perfect for catching that evening bite. What makes walleye so special is their fight combined with incredible table fare – you'll be talking about the shore lunches long after you get home. The population here is absolutely world-class, consistently producing limits of keeper fish along with trophy specimens that'll have your drag screaming.
Northern pike in these waters are absolute bruisers, often pushing 40+ inches and attacking with the fury of a freight train. They love the shallow bays and weed edges, especially during warmer months when they're actively feeding. Pike are ambush predators, so expect explosive strikes that'll test your reflexes and your tackle. The adrenaline rush of a big northern slamming your lure never gets old, and Lake of the Woods produces some of the best pike fishing in Ontario.
Muskellunge are the ultimate prize fish – the fish of 10,000 casts that keeps anglers coming back for more. Lake of the Woods musky run big, with fish over 50 inches caught every season. They're moody and unpredictable, but when you connect with one, it's a battle you'll never forget. Fall is prime time for musky, when they're feeding heavily before winter sets in. These apex predators test every aspect of your fishing skills and equipment.
Lake trout are the deep-water giants that cruise the thermocline during summer months. They're powerful fighters that use the deep water to their advantage, making long runs that'll have your arms burning. Spring and fall offer the best opportunities when trout move shallower to feed. A big lake trout on light tackle is one of the most challenging fights in freshwater fishing, and Lake of the Woods produces some absolute tanks.
Time to Book Your Spot
At $2000 per person for a complete 7-day, 6-night package, this trip delivers serious value for money. You're getting expert guidance, top-notch equipment, comfortable accommodations, and access to some of the best multi-species fishing in Canada. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to cross trophy fish off your bucket list or someone newer to the sport who wants to learn from a pro, this Lake of the Woods adventure fits the bill. The fishery here is sustainable and well-managed, meaning you'll find healthy populations of all target species. Don't wait too long to secure your dates – prime season books up fast, and there's nothing worse than missing out on the fishing trip of a lifetime because you hesitated. Give Lake of the Wood Cottage a call and start planning your Ontario fishing adventure today.
Learn more about the species
Lake Trout
Lake trout are our deep-water giants, the largest char species in these waters. They average 20-30 inches but can push 40+ inches and 20-30 pounds. These cold-water fish live deep most of the year - 40-80 feet down in the main basin, suspended over structure or cruising the thermocline. Early spring right after ice-out is prime time when they're shallow and active. Summer fishing means going deep with downriggers or heavy jigs. Guests appreciate the steady, powerful fight and excellent table fare - firm, flaky meat that's perfect for the grill. Lake trout are also long-lived, so you might catch a fish that's 20+ years old. Here's my tip: use a slow, steady jigging motion with spoons or soft plastics. These fish don't rush their meals, so be patient and keep it subtle.
Muskellunge
Musky are the apex predator here - the fish of 10,000 casts, as they say. These massive members of the pike family can reach 50+ inches and 30-40 pounds, with their distinctive tiger stripes and forked tails. They patrol deep weed edges, rocky points, and structure in 15-40 feet of water. Late summer through fall is peak season when they're feeding heavy before winter. What draws anglers? Pure trophy potential and the challenge - musky are smart, moody fish that test your patience and skill. When you finally hook one, they'll jump, dive, and fight like nothing else in freshwater. Use barbless hooks for easier release and heavy tackle - these fish have serious teeth. My secret: work large bucktails or jerkbaits with a figure-8 motion right at the boat. That's when most follows turn into strikes.
Northern Pike
Pike are the lake's aggressive predators, and they'll hit just about anything that moves. These toothy green torpedoes average 2-3 feet but can stretch over 4 feet and 20+ pounds. You'll find them lurking in shallow bays, weed edges, and drop-offs where they ambush prey. They're most active in spring and fall when water temps are cooler, but summer mornings can be productive too. Guests love pike because they strike hard and fight dirty - jumping, rolling, and making powerful runs. Plus, they're not picky about lures, so beginners often get their first big fish on pike. Fair warning though, they've got razor-sharp teeth, so bring wire leaders. My advice: when a pike hits, keep steady pressure and don't give them slack to shake the hooks.
Walleye
Walleye are what Lake of the Woods is famous for - there's a reason we're called the "Walleye Capital of the World." These golden-colored fish with their distinctive glassy eyes typically run 15-20 inches, though we see plenty pushing 25-30 inches. They love rocky structure, sand flats, and weed edges in 10-25 feet of water. Spring and fall are prime time when they move shallow to feed, but summer evenings can be magic too. What makes walleye special? They fight smart rather than hard, and nothing beats their flaky white meat for dinner. The key here is using live bait - leeches and minnows on a simple jig work best. My tip: when you feel that light tap, don't set the hook right away. Let them take it and swim off a bit first.
About the Deep-V
Vehicle Guest Capacity: 3
Manufacturer Name: Mercury
Maximum Cruising Speed: 54
Number of Engines: 1
Horsepower per Engine: 300
