Northern Ontario Fishing Vacations on Dunlop Lake

 

What Swims in Dunlop Lake

Lake Trout

The main draw. Lake trout sit closer to the surface in the weeks after ice-out, then drop into deeper, colder water as summer builds, which is when downriggers and deeper presentations start to matter.

They come back within easier reach through autumn as the water cools. Ask at the lodge office what depths have been producing before you head out.

Brook Trout

Brook trout hold near cold inflows and shaded structure, and they respond well to smaller presentations. Zone 10 carries more brook trout water than anywhere else in Northeastern Ontario, so they are worth targeting rather than treating as a bycatch.

Bass

Bass work the rocky shoreline, drop-offs and structure through the warm months. They are the most forgiving option for anyone bringing children or first-time anglers, since the fishing is shallower and the action tends to be steadier.

Fishing Through the Year

Season	On the water	Worth knowing
Spring, from ice-out to June	Trout higher in the water column, cold conditions	Quietest weeks of the open-water season; dress for cold
July and August	Trout deep, bass along the shoreline	Warmest and busiest; book boats well ahead
September and October	Cooling water, active fish, very few boats	Strong stretch for trout and for quiet stays
Winter, once the ice is safe	Ice huts on the lake	Huts, firewood, heaters and transport all arranged through the lodge
Seasons, catch limits and size restrictions are set by zone and change from year to year, with exceptions on some individual lakes. Check the current Ontario Fishing Regulations Summary before you travel.

 

Ice Fishing at Dunlop Lake Lodge

Once the lake freezes, huts go out on the ice and the lodge handles the logistics. A large hut runs $160 a day with firewood included. A small hut is $80 a day and comes with one small propane cylinder and a heater. Transport out and back is $10 per person for each ride.

That arrangement suits anglers who do not want to haul their own gear north. Rooms stay open through winter, and the northern loop snowmobile and ATV trail runs directly into the lodge parking lot, so sledging and ice fishing combine easily in one trip.

Never go out on ice without checking conditions first. Staff at the lodge know the lake and will tell you what it is doing.

New to it? Read the lodge’s  Beginner’s Guide to Ice Fishing  for gear and safety basics, then ring  (705) 848-8090  to reserve a hut.

Licences and Rules Worth Sorting Before You Arrive

*  Fishing licence — Most adult anglers need a current Ontario fishing licence. Requirements differ by age and residency, and licences are sold in sport and conservation versions carrying different catch limits.

*  Zone rules — Dunlop Lake sits in Fisheries Management Zone 10. Seasons, limits and size restrictions are set at zone level, with exceptions on certain waters. Check Fish ON-Line for the specific lake you plan to fish.

*  Live bait — Ontario restricts the movement of live bait between Bait Management Zones. If you normally bring bait from home, check the rules before you load the car.

*  Boats and invasive species — Watercraft are regulated as carriers of invasive species. Clean, drain and dry any boat you bring in from another lake.

*  Ice huts — Rental huts are arranged through the lodge. Anyone bringing a hut of their own should check current registration requirements.

Carry your licence on the water rather than leaving it in the room.

Where Anglers Stay

Lodge rooms with a lake view start at $189 per night, forest view rooms at $169. Most rooms have two double beds, which works for a pair sharing costs on a longer trip.

The three-bedroom cabin sleeps up to six and comes with a fully equipped kitchen, a living room, and its own fire pit, at $400 per night with a two-night minimum. Fishing parties tend to take this one, largely because the kitchen means an early start does not depend on restaurant hours.

Six fully serviced waterfront lots and four unserviced hill top lots take trailers, with a bathroom and shower room at the campsites. A fifth-wheel trailer is also available at $500 for two nights or $700 for three, bedding and utensils included. The lodge is pet friendly at $20 per night, per pet.

Compare the options on the Accommodations page.

Meals Around a Fishing Schedule

Breakfast is served to overnight guests, with lunch and dinner open to the public. The restaurant runs three settings on one menu: a dining room, a lounge with a wood-burning fireplace, pool tables and big screens, and a patio looking out over the lake.

Tuesday is the traditional fish fry, with 5 oz fish and chips at $14. Fridays are $1 wings and Sunday brings an all-you-can-eat breakfast brunch at $25. Take-out is available if you would rather eat back at the cabin.

Please note: the restaurant is closed on Mondays, and also on Wednesdays and Thursdays between 6 April and 1 June, though the hotel stays open throughout. Confirm hours on the Restaurant & Menu page before planning around an early or late start.

Getting Here

Elliot Lake is the last town before the lodge, 15 km south on Dunlop Lake Road. Most anglers driving up stop there for anything still outstanding.

Planning the Trip

*  Reserve the boat or hut with the room  They are booked together and the good dates go early.

*  Watch the minimums  The cabin and the fifth-wheel both need at least two nights.

*  Cancellation terms  Two weeks’ notice avoids a fee. Inside 14 days, cancellations are charged $100 per night booked plus HST.

*  Groups of two rooms or more  pay a deposit of half the booking in advance.

*  Winter parties combining sledding and ice fishing  can look at the ATV/snowmobile package: $150 per person per night based on double occupancy, including dinner on arrival, accommodation and breakfast the next morning.

*  Leaving a truck and trailer  on the premises overnight while you are away is $10 per day, with keys left at the lodge office. No fee applies if you are staying that night.

Plan Your Northern Ontario Fishing Vacation

Open-water and hard-water seasons both fill from the weekends inwards. The earlier the dates are confirmed, the better the odds of getting the boat, hut and room combination you want.

Call (705) 848-8090 or email dunloplakelodge@yahoo.com to check availability and reserve your boat or ice hut. Dunlop Lake Lodge, 74 Dunlop Lake Rd, Elliot Lake, ON P5A 2S9 · Directions