Angling for cost-effective fishing trip straightforward

Where a fishing trip may have previously been considered a predictable and consistent event that occurred year after year, unforeseen economic stressors are forcing many anglers to re-examine where our dollars go.

As well, there will always be people looking to book their first ever trip, either because there is an interest, a special event or people are staying closer to home in this new economic landscape.

The good news is that all is not lost because the opportunity to successfully plan a rewarding trip to northwest Ontario doesn’t have to be expensive, difficult or tricky.

For the context of this column, short term rentals really can be the angler’s best pathway and represent the lowest barrier to entry. Airbnb is our friend, and there are dozens of places to stay that we can navigate to, view photos, message owners and read reviews. The website is safe and does a good job protecting the consumer where deposits are refundable — subject to date limitations — and both guest and host are insured.

Determine what your needs are, how much space you need, if you’re seeking the basics or something “more” — on the water or not — and be flexible if you can. Destination fields that return good results are “Kenora Lake of the Woods” and “Minaki”.

Minaki is 40 minutes north of Kenora on Highway 596, has amazing multi-species opportunities, and offers a very cool, laid-back vibe.

As much as the Airbnb platform offers convenience, agility and speed, it’s important not to forget about lesser-known resources that can reward the diligent and dedicated individual.

One uniquely local place to go is Lake of the Woods Area News. Originally a print only publication for subscription paying members, there’s an online public page that everyone can access. A quick search on the internet of “lake of the woods area news classifieds” will take the user to a page of recreational property rentals with descriptions, weekly rates, some with availability details, and owner contact information.

There are some excellent properties for rent there, as long as one has the patience to reach out to and engage with the owner.

Some of the most rewarding vacation rental experiences are located here, and it remains a valuable resource. Users can expect an experience that differs greatly from short-term rental platforms, as the communications will be person-to-person, and thus offering a much more individualized experience.

A different experience altogether that removes some of the legwork but remains affordable is to stay at a fishing camp.

One accessible option is Ash Rapids Resort on Lake of the Woods — a water access only camp on the western side of the lake.

Ash Rapids has what are known in the business as housekeeping cabins, where guests rent accommodations for their stay, and bring their own groceries. This is a cost-effective way to enjoy a fishing trip on a budget, sparing the often prohibitive expense of all inclusive, “American Plan” rates. Not only does it create opportunities for accessible travel for those who still want to get out on the water, but it also frees anglers from the restrictions of a rigid schedule where mealtimes are set, offering little flexibility.

It’s your trip so do what you want to do, when you want to do it.

An added bonus of the camp is a five-minute boat ride from the actual physical place called Ash Rapids — a narrow waterway connecting Lake of the Woods to Shoal Lake. Truly a spectacular body of water, anglers that spend time there will be rewarded with some great bass and pike fishing, significantly less boat traffic, and an interaction with a pristine natural environment that makes it worth the trip.

It bears mentioning that Shoal Lake is enormous and lacks the same charting detail as Lake of the Woods. Proceed with caution — or better yet — hire a guide for the day.

Because Ash Rapids is a water access camp, there are two options:

One is for those fortunate enough to own a boat to navigate to the camp — and it’s an easy trip with appropriate navigational tools. Most boats now have GPS technology, and paper maps still work as well as they did twenty years ago. Coming from Winnipeg, it’s about an hour and forty-five minutes on the Trans-Canada Highway to the boat launch on Clearwater Bay at The Rockeries. Be sure to do some homework before you go with regards to overnight parking.

Option two is renting a camp boat — and this adds to the experience as camp guests get picked up on the mainland and kick back to take it all in while someone else does the driving. Having done both, truth be told the latter offered more enjoyment than the former.

Summer is the high season be it for short term rentals or any camp on the lake.

That being said, don’t lose sight of the fact that a fishing trip either before or after the summer brings its own upside. No crowds, lower rates across the space, bug free and, best of all, better fishing.

June can be one of the best months for action and species, as fish typically start to feed aggressively in shallow water. And the fall offers its own unique seasonal advantages, with the added bonus that fish will be in the best physical condition of the open-water season.

With travel habits and patterns shifting, and economic and trade ecosystems experiencing unforeseen pressures that Canadians in general are feeling, anglers can look for new ways to fish closer to home, and support local.