BLACK BEAR LODGE’S FAQ DIRECTORY
Welcome to our Lodge’s FAQ page. While our main website contains a lot of information, we’ve gathered some extra answers here for your convenience. If you can’t find what you’re looking for after scrolling through these questions, contact us directly for assistance.
Reservations
We certainly have references available. To access this valuable information, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us by phone or email.
We’re pleased to inform you that the trip rates displayed on this website already incorporate these taxes. This means you won’t encounter any additional fees. (However, for reference the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) is set at 13%.)
Regrettably, we do not offer refunds or discounts due to inclement weather or challenging fishing conditions. Mother Nature operates on her own timetable, and we have no control over the weather fluctuations week to week.
We recommend that you come prepared with the right attire for a range of conditions: quality rain gear and waterproof boots for wet weather, as well as warm weather wear for those chilly days. Don’t forget a positive outlook and a spirit of adventure to make the most of your experience, no matter the weather.
Additionally, don’t hesitate to unwind and make the most of your time in one of our cabins or our main lodge. You can indulge in games, lose yourself in a good book, share stories with great friends, or simply take a well-deserved nap; after all, you’re on vacation.
Crossing the Canadian border is typically a straightforward and hassle-free process. Upon arrival at the border booth, a customs officer will ask you a series of questions. It’s essential to answer these questions truthfully and only provide the information they request; keep your responses concise.
While the chances are minimal, there’s a possibility that you could be randomly selected for a secondary inspection by border officers. To facilitate your crossing, ensure you have your proper forms of identification, including passports, driver’s licenses, and any other required documents, readily available.
Please be aware that individuals with a previous Drinking While Driving conviction may face entry restrictions into Canada. It’s advisable to call ahead and address this matter with Canadian border authorities before your trip.
To reserve a trip, simply visit our Contacts page and fill out the required information. We will promptly respond to confirm your preferred dates. After you receive our confirmation, you can proceed to the Reservation section of our website to download and complete the booking form. Please submit the completed form along with the necessary deposit, and once we receive these, your trip will be locked in.
For specific requirements and to double-check your individual needs, please refer to the link provided on our website’s information page. Here are the fundamental requirements:
Passport: A valid passport is essential for crossing the border.
Permission for Children: If a child is traveling with an adult who is not their parent, a letter of permission from the parent is required.
Proof of Car Insurance: The owner of the vehicle crossing the border also needs proof that the car is insured in Canada. To obtain this proof, visit your USA insurance provider to confirm coverage. If the car is covered, they will issue a form or card to demonstrate this at the border. While it may not always be requested, it’s necessary to have on hand if border officials do ask for it.”
Fishing
Yes, we offer group rates that begin with a minimum of 10 people. For detailed information, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us via phone or email. Additionally, as an added incentive, group leaders will enjoy a free trip once their group surpasses 20 participants!
We don’t offer fishing licenses on-site. We recommend purchasing your licenses online, and here’s why:
Time-saving: Buying your licenses online will save you precious time when you’re en route to camp. No more worrying about store hours or standing in lines.
Convenience: You can purchase your licenses well in advance, ensuring you won’t forget. Just input your desired dates and print them out.
If you prefer an in-person purchase, you can do so at any of the bait and tackle stores along the way or at Station 105 in town. However, make sure to check their hours of operation if you choose this option.
While we do not impose a mandatory catch and release policy for our guests, we wholeheartedly promote environmentally responsible fishing practices. To sustain the exceptional fishery we’ve nurtured over the years, we encourage anglers to release all trophy-sized fish and retain only those they intend to enjoy in a shore lunch.
Given the decreasing cost of fiberglass replicas each year, we kindly request that our guests capture the moment with quick photographs and measurements of their trophies before releasing them back into the water. This way, we aim to ensure that others have the opportunity to experience the exhilaration of catching these remarkable fish on another day.
Walleye: Drifting or vertical jigging with jigs tipped with live minnows, leeches, or nightcrawlers is the preferred technique for targeting these intriguing fish. Your tackle box should include a variety of jig colors ranging from 1/16 to 1/2 ounce. The colors that seem to work best on our lake are neon pink, neon green, neon orange, white silver, and Chartreuse. Other effective methods include trolling with bottom bouncers and spinner rigs or using crankbaits like the Rapala Husky Jerk and Shad Rap, as well as the Storm ThunderStick. For finesse fishing, live bait rigs such as slip bobbers or Lindy rigs are excellent choices.
Opt for light to medium action rods paired with spinning reels spooled with clear line in the 6-8lb test range, suitable for most walleye fishing techniques. If you’re trolling with bottom bouncers and crankbaits, a medium action baitcasting rod and reel combination works exceptionally well.
Northern Pike: Casting or trolling over weed beds and along weed lines is a popular method for targeting these aggressive predators. When pursuing Northern Pike, think bright colors. Your tackle should include an array of artificial lures, such as tandem spinnerbaits in the 3/8 to 1-ounce size with gold, silver, or orange blades matched with white or fluorescent skirts. Larger spoons like the Five of Diamonds and red/white Daredevil are classic choices. Inline spinners like the Mepp’s Musky Killer, imitation minnow lures such as Rapala Husky Jerks and Storm Thunderstick, and Rat-L-Traps in larger sizes, emphasizing red, blue, silver, and gold. Additionally, consider large jigs ranging from 3/8 to 3/4 ounces, tipped with 4-6 inch twister tails.
Under most conditions, Northerns will aggressively strike various live and artificial baits. A recommended rod and reel combination for chasing lunkers is a 6-7 ft medium-heavy action rod with a baitcasting reel spooled with 12-30 lb test line. Braided line, like Power Pro, is an excellent choice, with a 6-12″ leader attaching your lure. Some anglers also opt for spinning rods and reels. It’s suggested to use at least a 10 lb test line with a wire leader.
Lake Trout: For Lake Trout, trolling with downriggers, wire line, or dipsy divers, using crankbaits or flashy spoons, is a productive method. Vertical jigging with spoons or 1-2 oz jigs and a white Mister Twister tail is also effective.
A medium action fishing rod paired with a spinning reel spooled with 8-12 lb test line is an appropriate choice for Lake Trout fishing throughout the seasons.
Muskie: When targeting Muskie, jerkbaits, in-line bucktails, and spinnerbaits in natural colors perform well in our clear waters. Keep an eye out for classic muskie holding structures, including saddles, underwater humps, mid-lake shoals, weeds, deep shorelines, and fallen shoreline trees. Deep water trolling with crankbaits above the baitfish often yields results.
Quality equipment is essential for Muskie fishing. Opt for a 6 1/2 – 7 ft. medium-heavy action baitcasting rod and baitcasting reel spooled with 30-65 lb test braided line. Polarized sunglasses, a camera, soft measuring tape, and a release kit with bolt cutters and long-nosed pliers should be part of your basic tackle.
*Note: Red Lake does not have a large muskie population; however, we see a few caught every year. If you are serious about landing one of these elusive fish, a portage to Flat Lake is recommended. Flat Lake boasts a great muskie population, including trophy-sized fish.
All fish must be properly prepared or packaged for immediate identification regarding their type and size. Transport of fish is allowed only in the same vehicle as the license holder.
To comply with this requirement, fish should be filleted and placed in separate Zip-lock bags. Each bag should contain only one fish, with at least 2 inches of skin left on each half of the fillet. Additionally, the bag must be labeled with the fisherman’s name, the species of fish, and whether it is an over or under size catch.
For perch, it’s permissible to have more than one in a bag as long as it’s very clear how many are in the bag.
We highly recommend freezing your fish solid using the fish house freezers, as this will make them easier to transport in your cooler when you’re headed home.
Boat occupancy may vary depending on the number of people in camp for the week. Our goal is to maintain a ratio of 2 adults per 16-foot boat. However, if you prefer, you have the option to fish with up to 4 people per boat.
We provide freezers for anglers to expertly package and freeze their freshly caught fish, guaranteeing their catch stays fresh until they head home. Additionally, our fish house allows you to store fish on ice in your own coolers, ensuring they are ready for a delightful shore lunch.
For the most recent and up to date Ontario fishing regulations in our Zone (ZONE #4) visit the Ministry of Natural Resources website
Yes, we sell a variety of live bait at camp.
Small Minnows = $6.00/doz
Large Minnows = $8.00/doz
Night Crawlers = $3.00/doz -or- $80-$100/flat (flats are not kept at camp and are subject to prices in town. You need to call ahead to order your own and pick them up on way through town. Look at Link page for where to order from.)
Leeches = Hard to get in Red Lake, but will try to get some if you let us know ahead of time. If we can’t get them you can pick them up at other places along your travels in Canada.
(note: all prices are subject to change based on our suppliers’ prices each season)
Yes, there are different portage lakes available for fishing, and the best part is that all our portages are completely free of charge. To ensure that everyone has the opportunity to enjoy these lakes, we kindly request that you sign up for each portage at least one day in advance. The sign-up sheet for all portages can be found in the main lodge.
Most of the portage lakes come equipped with motors, but in cases where they don’t, a trolling motor can be brought along to enhance your fishing experience.
Misc
Although we cannot guarantee, there is always a good chance you may see some of the following wildlife: bald and golden eagles, moose, bears, birds, loons, ducks, otters, beavers, fox, lynx, woodpeckers, or hummingbirds just to name a few.
Yes, there is a fire ring located in the middle of camp that overlooks our bay. It is a beautiful place to star gaze and to listen to the lyrical calls of the loons while enjoying a warm fire. You may have a campfire any night you wish as long is it remains supervised and there is two water buckets ready. The fire must be completely doused every evening. There is plenty of fire wood in our wood shed so you will not have to collect any of your own. Just let us know ahead of time so we can be prepared. We also ask that you keep it respectfully quite after lights out.
Swimming is absolutely welcome in our bay, particularly near the designated swim dock, where you’ll find lily pad-like mats that the kids love to play on and the adults like to float on or hang off of. You’ll also discover a few charming, small sandy spots along the lake where you can safely anchor your boat and enjoy a refreshing dip.
For safety, we do require life jackets for all ages, as the water can be quite deep. This way, everyone can enjoy the water without any worries.
While fishing is the primary draw for most of our guests at Black Bear Lodge, our pristine location offers a wealth of additional activities. These include:
- Canoeing (we have a couple of canoes or bring your own)
- Kayaking (we don’t have these but your are welcome to bring your own)
- Swimming
- Hiking
- Berry picking (wild strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries typically ripen from late June to mid-July)
- Photography (featuring some of the most breathtaking sunsets)
- Stargazing or witnessing the awe-inspiring Northern Lights when they grace us with their presence
- Leisure activities like reading, playing cards, board games, shuffleboard, or simply unwinding in the inviting main lodge
- Relaxing by a warm campfire
- Observing the rich wildlife, which includes eagles, moose, bears, various bird species, loons, ducks, otters, beavers, foxes, and hummingbirds, among others
- Exploring the local shops in Red Lake
- Visiting the Red Lake Heritage Center to delve into the history of the Red Lake at the Museum
- Take a trip to Balmertown to explore the Rocks and Mineral Museum
- Contacting a float plane company to arrange a scenic flight
- Taking a nap or immersing yourself in the tranquility of one of the quietest, most secluded places you’ll ever experience
Cooking in the cabins is strictly prohibited. This policy is in place to ensure the safety of our guests, as cooking in the cabins poses a significant fire hazard and can also attract bears to the area.
Our meal schedule typically includes breakfast at 8 AM and dinner at 5 PM. For lunch, we provide the ingredients during breakfast, allowing everyone to create their own packed lunch to take with them.
Meal times for our hunters are coordinated upon their arrival at camp, and we adjust these times to accommodate their hunting schedules.
As we are nestled in the heart of the Canadian wilderness, there’s always a possibility of curious wildlife, including bears, wandering into camp. However, we rarely have bear issues because we’re dedicated to maintaining a clean camp, free of garbage and accessible food. Black bears are naturally docile creatures and are typically more afraid of us than we are of them.
To ensure a safe and worry-free stay, we recommend making your presence known when walking at night or on a portage, carrying a flashlight at night, and keeping all food and drinks stored in your cabin.
With the continuous advancements in technology, you’ll find that most cell phones can now work in various spots around our camp. One such location is near the fire pit and Newfy cabin, affectionately named ‘The Phone Booth.’ Here, almost everyone can pick up a cell signal and often stand or sit at the picnic table to connect with loved ones if needed. Additionally, there’s a spot on the dock where we often receive a good cell signal, and numerous locations out on the lake now have service.
While there are also spots on the logging road and in town that offer cell coverage, rest assured that in case of an emergency, we have internet access and can make calls as needed. We use our internet primarily for keeping track of weather, maintaining communication with our guests as they arrive and depart, and managing trip bookings throughout the summer. To ensure a strong and reliable signal, we don’t provide the Wi-Fi password to guests.
Many people find solace in disconnecting from work and the chaos of everyday life while in the wilderness. If this resonates with you, consider turning your phone to airplane mode to conserve your battery and fully enjoy a true vacation from the demands of daily life. In case of emergencies, your loved ones can still reach out to us via email or phone, and we will relay the message to you.
Generally, you can anticipate afternoon temperatures ranging from 65 to 85 degrees, with evenings cooling down to approximately 40-50 degrees. May tends to be the coolest month, while June marks the beginning of warming trends. July typically brings warmer weather, and August is known for its stable and pleasant conditions.
The one consistent aspect of our weather is its unpredictability. Therefore, we recommend arriving prepared for a wide spectrum of conditions.
Yes, there is a hospital located in Red Lake. The hospital is approximately 25 miles from camp, which takes around 40 minutes by car.
For various reasons, we do not allow dogs or other pets in our camp.
After unloading vehicles at your designated cabin within the camp, please note that all vehicles should be parked in our parking area located at the top of the trail
We extend a warm welcome to guests of all ages, from children to adults. The youngest visitor we’ve had was just 4 years old. Notably, our very own children began their camp adventures at just 10 days and 6 months old on their first trips!
We diligently aim for a ratio of 2 adults per 16-foot boat, keeping in mind the total number of guests at camp for the week. Should you prefer to have up to 4 people in a boat, kindly notify us in advance, so we can plan accordingly.
We provide stand-up freezers for our guests to store their take-home fish. We also offer ice machines for your convenience if you prefer to keep your catch cool but not frozen, ideal for an up coming fish fry
43,680 acres with a maximum depth of 140 feet.
Yes, you are welcome to bring your own boat. There is a public boat launch located at the Government Dock in Red Lake, offering a scenic boat ride to reach our camp. Alternatively, you can drive a few additional miles to the St. Paul’s Bay launch site, which not only provides easier boat backing and includes a designated parking area for your vehicle (please note, we are not responsible for your vehicle if you choose to park there), but is also conveniently halfway to our camp by water, making it closer and easier to use.
If you prefer to launch in town, we have an alternative place where you can park your car and/or boat. For more information on this option or if you have any inquiries, please feel free to reach out to us.
