Searching for the ideal fishing getaway that the entire family can enjoy is an important task. The perfect combination of beautiful scenery, great accommodations, and of course outstanding fishing isn’t always easy to find.
Fortunately, in Manitoba we have Trail End Camp and Outfitters. They are one of the top drive-to fishing lodges in the province where every member of the family, even the furry ones, are sure to have an amazing time.
I brought my family with me, pet dog too, on a recent trip to this Eastern Region destination. Located on the famed Winnipeg River, their camp is on the high side of Pointe Du Bois dam. This meandering section of Canadian Shield river and offshoot lakes goes from Trail End Camp all the way to the Ontario border. The countless tree-lined islands, bays, and back waters offer plenty of places to explore.
We towed our own boat in on the easy paved road drive from Winnipeg. They have boats available for rent or you can also book professionally guided excursions on one of their spacious charter boats. For outstanding walleye or northern pike fishing complete with a freshly cooked shore lunch, I highly recommend at least one day on their eight-passenger capable rigs. Another great feature of their camp is the row of docks along their shoreline. You can park your boat just steps from your cabin for the duration of your stay.
The fishing was fantastic for a variety of species. We explored the waters just outside from the camp focusing on deeper contours with jigs and bait. My young daughters and wife had a blast reeling in fish after fish. To change things up, I tied on in-line spinner baits and instructed the kids to cast to shore. It was hard for them to contain their excitement when a feisty northern pike or scrappy smallmouth bass inhaled their lures.
The camp has a large tidy fish cleaning station that we made full use of during our stay. We cooked up delicious walleye and perch fillets for supper every night. Fish were so plentiful that we were even able to catch some from off the dock by our cabin. Early one of the mornings I went out while everyone was still in bed. I caught a pile of fish and was back making breakfast before anyone even knew I had even left.
The camp has twelve comfortable cabins that can accommodate families of all sizes. We stayed in a gorgeous two-bedroom cabin complete with kitchen, wood stove, deck with BBQ, and full washroom. Being able to park our truck right up to the back door made loading and unloading your typical mountain of family vacation gear quick and easy. The kids also appreciated having satellite TV for those rainy days and late evenings.
One of the highlights of the trip were the amount of wildlife that we encountered. We came across a deer swimming back to the mainland and several pairs of beavers hard at work. A majestic bald eagle also spied us from his perch on a rock within casting distance from the boat. It was very enjoyable to be able to fish all by ourselves in the pristine wilderness with only the sounds of birds and fish splashing breaking the silence.
Taking a break from the mid-day heat, the kids and I jumped in several of the pedal boats available for use at the camp beach. Unable to resist, I had the girls pedal while I casted lures at the row of docks. During a rain shower one afternoon, we decided to take a short drive to the low side of the Point Du Bois generating station for a sightseeing hike.
Lodge operators Vance and Maureen Hrechkosy, along with their children who also help run the camp, are some of the nicest people you will meet. They were very helpful with pointing out fishing hotspots and hazards to watch for. A nice coloured map of the area near Trail End is available in the convenience store at the main office. Affordability, easy to get to, and a gateway to fantastic fishing have made them one of the most popular lodges in the province. If you are looking for a great place for a family fishing vacation, give Trail End Camp and Outfitters a call.
For more information visit www.trailendcamp.com
Originally posted at HuntFishMB