Nipigon River Adventures

Nipigon River Adventures owns and operates out of the Quebec Lodge in Red Rock, Ontario. If you desire a traditional northwestern Ontario lodge experience, with incredible access to world class fishing, Quebec lodge is the place to be.

Quebec Lodge is located an hour drive east of Thunder Bay and is centrally located in Nipigon country. You can drive to the lodge from southern Ontario in about 16 hours (or less) depending on where you are located. Or you can get on a plane and fly to Thunder Bay in an hour and a half. There you can be picked up and brought to the lodge. Once at Quebec Lodge, you will be in the heart of world class fishing.

World Class Brook Trout

Quebec Lodge is situated in the middle of the world’s best trophy brook trout fishery.  The Nipigon River is just minutes from the lodge and is the home of the world 14. 8-pound world record brook trout caught back in 1915. The lodge has road access to the Nipigon River, Lake Nipigon and Nipigon Bay of Lake Superior. This is big water with equally big fish. Brook trout average 20 inches (three pounds plus) with fish topping 25 inches (seven pounds plus) caught every season.

The Nipigon river is large and swift, and most of the river is fished by boat. Experienced guides will put you on the best holes and safely move you around this huge system. There are three dams on the river there are two reservoir sections. The most popular destination is Jessie Lake and the Pine Portage rapids. The fishing here focuses on casting reefs and shoreline areas. The boat trip from Jessie Lake to the rapids is one of the most spectacular in Ontario. Sheer cliffs and rock faces surround the deep, swirling waters of the Nipigon River. It is not uncommon to see eagles soaring high overhead while you head to the fishing spots.

Brook trout can be caught throughout the open water season and there is nearly always good fishing somewhere on the Nipigon system, including in mid-summer. Both Lake Nipigon and Lake Superior remain cold all summer, and it is not unusual to see water temperatures in the low 50s F. in mid-July. Brookies start to get their fall colours in August and early September. Some of them have bellies as red as roses.

The season for brook trout on the Nipigon river and in Lake Superior ends on the Tuesday after Labour Day in early September. On Lake Nipigon, the brook trout season ends at midnight on Sept. 15. Lake Nipigon is also single barbless. The lodge enforces a strict no kill on all brook trout.

 Multi Species Options

The lower section of the Nipigon River has trophy brook trout, but also resident rainbows, pike, lake trout and chinook salmon. You never know what you might catch. Salmon are generally available from July to October, with the fishery peaking from late August to early September. Most of the fish are caught trolling large plugs such as the Rapala J-13.

Lake Nipigon is another option for the multi species angler. This huge lake giant pike, lake trout and whitefish. Pike frequent the shallows and weed beds and can be caught with bucktail spinners, spoons and flies. Lake trout can be caught casting shallow in June but are commonly taken while trolling spoons. Lakers are big here, averaging about 12 pounds, with monsters approaching 40 pounds caught each year.  Lake Nipigon is a huge body of water and provides nearly limitless angling options.

Nipigon Bay, which is visible from the lodge, is where the Nipigon River empties into Lake Superior. This huge bay has “coaster” brook trout, which are generally more silver and sleeker than brook trout caught in the upper sections of the river. Rainbow trout, lake trout, pike and salmon are caught in Nipigon Bay as well. There is good access to Nipigon Bay from Red Rock and the Nipigon Marina.

For huge walleye, Black Bay, north of Bent island, on Lake Superior, is tough to beat. This is primarily a trolling fishery, and the fish are big, averaging about five pounds.  However, walleye of 10 pounds or more are not uncommon. Massive pike are also caught in Black Bay. Many fish can be caught in the 36 to 40 inches, with some true giants available. Black Bay also has a nearly untapped smallmouth bass fishery and summer is prime time to chase them.

The Lodge

Quebec Lodge is a historic log lodge that was built in the 1930s and is nestled on a height of land over-looking Nipigon Bay, on Lake Superior. It has several rooms of various sizes and a central, great room where guests can kick back to have a drink, play cards or chat.

Home cooked meals are served in a large dining room. Many evenings end with an outdoor bonfire, sometimes with a guitar jam or two. There is also a sauna available to ease those sore casting muscles.

Boats & Equipment 

Guides at Quebec Lodge generally supply their own Lund boats, which are well suited to the large water found in the area.  Smaller boats and canoes are available for rent. Some spin and fly-fishing tackle and other gear is available for use by guests as well. Please let the lodge know what you will need. Guests use life jackets or PFDs supplied by guides or the lodge.

 The Accommodations

 

Guests at Quebec Lodge stay in the main lodge. In-lodge rooms are located near the great room or via a hallway. Adjacent rooms share a bathroom and shower.

The lodge features a large common area with an open post-and-beam vaulted ceiling. There are various chairs and couches as well as a bar. Television and high-speed Internet are both available.

Travel

Reaching Quebec lodge is easy. Many guests drive to the lodge via Highway 11/17. The lodge is located about 100 km east of Thunder Bay on Hwy 628 Red Rock. The lodge is located on road 17, the first left turn before the train tracks at the town of Red Rock.

Most international flights can connect to Thunder Bay. Once you’ve collected your luggage you can either get a pre-arranged shuttle ride to the lodge or rent a vehicle.

Quebec Lodge is a magical place, with the type of fishing people dream about. If you are looking for a unique get away that is easily accessed from within Ontario, look no further.