How to Plan a Canadian Fishing Trip
Planning a Canadian fishing trip requires some planning to ensure you get the experience you and your group are seeking. There are many decisions to consider before you make your booking. Some, not all, of the decisions you need to think about are:
What kind of fishing trip-fly in, drive in, drive to
- Length of trip
- What types of fishing guides required
- What species of fish you want to catch
- How many fish you want to catch
- The experience level of all the parties
One of the first decisions you should make during your research process is which province or Territory you want to go to. Maybe there is a certain destination that is more convenient or does the lodge offer easy access. Once you decide on a province or Territory you can make a list of the fishing resorts located there. Next make a list of the fish you want to catch if you have one. Then, make a shortlist of the lodges that offer the species and service level you are seeking and then request some information from them. Make sure to read the fine print about any additional charges. A spreadsheet is useful for logging all this information and for comparing between lodges. Some lodges that may have a higher price tag initially might end up being the better value in the end if they include meals and other extras.
Once you have a shortlist, contact each lodge and request some information. Some important questions to ask are:
Regarding Fishing
Make sure you ask shortlisted lodges these questions about the species of fish you want to catch. What are their average sizes and records of catches. Are the fish plentiful in the lake? Are there secondary species in the lake? What is the best time of year to fish in the lake? Do they offer fishing tackle? Is the lake a catch and release area? How qualified and experienced are their fishing guides?
Regarding Accommodations
Being comfortable when you are not fishing is just as important as the fishing. You want to be sure to be well rested before each fishing day. Some lodges have very basic accommodations that are small and sparsely furnished while others may have more deluxe offerings. Some questions to ask may be: Do they have private bathrooms? Are the bedrooms separate rooms? Are their decks or views?
Regarding the Fishing Lodge
Some questions you might want to ask about the fishing lodge are: Can you see a sample menu for their food? What percentage of guests are repeats? How long has the lodge been in business? Is the lake a catch and release lake? Is there commercial fishing on the lake?
What additional fees are there? Are taxes included in the price?
If you have any questions regarding any of the above please contact us and we will be able to give you more information.
