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Wine Lake Camp

Perrault Falls, Ontario

Family-operated boat-in fishing camp on Wine Lake in Ontario's Sunset Country, with a drive-up outpost cabin on nearby Wabaskang Lake.

1 Lodge
Locations 1
Species walleye, pike, smallmouth bass, lake trout, perch
Access boat-in
Only cabin/lodge Yes
Pricing $$$$$

Overview

Wine Lake Camp is a small, independently run wilderness camp located on Wine Lake in Northwestern Ontario, accessible only by boat rather than by floatplane. The operation traces its roots to the early 1940s, when it was started by a group of Cree brothers from the area, and it later passed to owners Herb Pugmire and Ann Sherman before coming under the current ownership of Nick Karakis, who runs the camp along with a small crew.

The main camp consists of a cluster of log cabins built on rocky shoreline surrounded by crown land, along with a central shower house, outhouses, an icehouse, a fish-cleaning shack, and a boathouse at the main dock. In addition to the main lake camp, the outfitter also operates a separate outpost-style cabin on Wabaskang Lake that guests can drive directly up to, unlike the boat-in main camp.

The camp markets itself around a long-running catch-and-release program for trophy walleye, and its base of operations is at Perrault Falls, Ontario, off Highway 105 between Vermilion Bay and Ear Falls.

Best for: Self-catering family groups and longtime repeat anglers looking for a rustic, boat-in wilderness camp rather than a full-service fly-in lodge.
Best time: The camp operates from roughly May through October, with lake trout fishing best near ice-out in spring and walleye and pike fishing strong through the summer months.

Highlights

Family-run boat-in camp dating to the early 1940s
Six log housekeeping cabins on Wine Lake
Separate drive-up outpost cabin on Wabaskang Lake
Catch-and-release program for trophy walleye
22-mile boat access with a waterfall portage
Traditional lake-cut icehouse still used for refrigeration
Walleye, northern pike, lake trout, perch and smallmouth bass

The Fishing

Wine Lake covers roughly 8,000 acres of surface water with numerous islands and bays, and anglers fish primarily for walleye, northern pike, lake trout, yellow perch, and smallmouth bass. The lake has been noted by the Ministry of Natural Resources as a trophy walleye fishery, with typical catches in the 1-2 pound range but 6-12 pound fish common and larger trophy walleye up to the low 30-inch range caught and released each season.

Fishing styles include jigging near bottom in moderate depths, trolling shorelines during wind-driven "walleye chop," and casting spoons, rapalas, or topwater baits into weed cover for pike. The camp follows a conservation-minded catch-and-release approach, particularly for larger brood-stock walleye, and guests generally fish from provided boats and motors rather than with hired guides.

Accommodations

Guests stay in log housekeeping cabins that sleep between two and eight people, lit by solar-powered lighting and heated with wood stoves, with gas appliances for cooking. Cabins have a simple, one-room, rustic layout, some with screened porches, and guests share a communal shower/bathing house and use outhouses rather than in-cabin plumbing at the main camp; an icehouse cut and stocked from the frozen lake each winter is used for refrigeration. The camp provides boats, motors, and bait, but guests are expected to bring their own food and personal gear as part of a light housekeeping arrangement; the separate Wabaskang Lake outpost cabin is drive-up and has electricity and running water.

Fish Species

walleye pike smallmouth bass lake trout perch

What They Offer

Amenities available at one or more of this outfitter's properties.

Meal plans
Boats included
Gas included
4.6
Based on 12 reviews from across the web
Review Highlights

Guests describe Wine Lake Camp very positively. Most reviews are 5 stars, and a few are 4 stars. Many reviewers are longtime repeat visitors. Some have returned for 20 or more trips, some have gone since 2000 or 2011, and several describe a family tradition that goes back to the 1960s. People often name the owner, Nick, and his crew, and they also mention earlier operators such as Herb and Ann. One reviewer who has been to 15 Canadian camps calls it the nicest he has seen, and another calls it the best lake system in 25 years of fishing in Canada.

Reviewers praise the fishing, the quiet remote setting, and the way the camp is run. They report catching hundreds of walleye in a week, limits and fish fries, and pike over 39 inches. The lake system has 9 lakes to fish, including Beaver Lake. Guests describe the camp as clean and well kept, with good accommodations and hot showers. It is small, with 7 or 8 cabins and about 30 to 40 people a week, and guests say people help each other. The owners and staff are described as friendly, professional, service-minded, and knowledgeable about where the fish are biting. One guest said the camp rebuilt its dock after flood damage. Guests supply their own gear and food, and the camp provides the cabin, boat, and minnows.

Things to be aware of include the trip in, which is a 25-mile boat ride across Wabaskang with a portage on the way. One reviewer called the portage rough. Water levels can also matter. In 2022 the lake was very high, and one group needed rubber boots to wade from the dock to the cabins and the fish cleaning house. Fishing results varied by season and method, as jiggers did better than back trollers in one report. Lake trout fishing produced little in another. The camp suits groups of friends and families who want a quiet, remote, traditional walleye and pike trip, and anglers who return year after year. It is also a good fit for people who are comfortable bringing their own food and gear.

Read all 12 reviews
Jul 30, 2022
Forum
Wine Lake Camp Trip Review July 23-30
This was our second trip to WLC this year and what a difference between the two. Since our first trip this year for opening week the water has receded a good four feet. Even so, the walleye were just beginning to school as the week wrapped up. Others in camp caught many in the 28 range but we did not. However, we easily pulled hundreds of fish in through the week. The jiggers did the best as the back trollers had a little tougher time. I am so impressed by the recovery the Wine Lake Camp team has performed. A whole new dock has replaced the old one that twisted and came off the moorings during the flood. All the same, the camp was running at top notch and as usual the service was tremendous. I love this place and we are scheduled for second week of June next year in our newly favorite cabin, The Icehouse.
This lodge
May 28, 2022
Forum
Trip Report Wine Lake Camp Friday to Friday 5/21-27/2022
Trip report for 5/21-27/2022. Water was higher than ever, and it appears it will take years for the lake to return to normal levels. All 7 of us had to buy rubber boots so we could wade from the dock to the cabins and to the fish cleaning house. Good walleye bite at the south end of the lake system, with limits and a great fish fry the first night. Went to Beaver Lake for walleye and many pike; Ghost and Turn Around lakes gave a few walleye. Two pike of 39.5 and 40.5 inches were caught at the falls. Lake trout fishing produced no luck except a keeper northern. We told our camp owner that he's been underpricing his product and we want him to be there for us in the future.
This lodge
Rob Hatch, Madison, WI
Outfitter
Testimonial
I've been to 15 different fishing camps in Canada, and Wine Lake Camp is the nicest I've seen. The trophy fish caught are as good as those from any fly-in resort.
This lodge
Blog
Revised Oak Lake Canoe Loop (trip log)
In 2015 I stayed at Wine Lake Camp (on Wine Lake). I spent 4 nights at Wine Lake Camp. Strongly recommend stopping in here if you can; Wine Lake Camp was a great finish to the trip, it was clean, well kept, owners professional and friendly with excellent accommodations and hot showers! I used Wine Lake Camp's landing for my car.
This lodge
Forum
Review of Lac Seul Golden Eagle
I have most of my experience with two resorts and we love both of them. For the record that is Paul and Debbie at Woman River Camp and Herb and Ann at Wine Lake Camp. Both are quality operations run by great service-minded people that have become dear friends over the years. For the last few years I have been taking a spring trip with six or so guys. That trip has been almost always at Wine Lake Camp.
This lodge
wolf1931
Forum
Wabaskang
our group actually stayed at wine lake about 7 yrs ago (very poor fishing the last week of may (very disappointing) fished hard 10 hrs/day never had a great day we probably went into beaver also: the portage getting into wine lake was rough.
This lake
Forum
Wine Lake Camp
Been to Wine Lake every other year since 2000 just because it make my wife happy I don't go every year. It is a 25 mile boat ride to camp across Wabaskang and there is a portage on the way. Usually the whole camp is there at the same time so everyone helps each other. There are only 7 or 8 cabins so there maybe 30 people in camp a week. To me Wine Lake takes you off the beaten path to relaxation and the closest road is 25 miles away. It is quiet with only roughly 30-40 people in camp and you can fish 9 different lakes if you want.
This lodge
Terry Parsons
Google
Wine Lake Camp is the best place and lake system we have fished in 25 years in Canada!! We will return each year until we can't. Nick and his crew and family are absolutely great. A truly wonderful experience!! The fishing is the best we have ever seen in Canada.
This lodge
genehenrylindgren
Google
My father first came to Wine lake in1965 . He returned year after year with friends and his children. Though he is gone the memories of the joy Wine lake brought to all of us lives on. It is my hope that I can continue this tradition with the next generation. I want to say thank you to Old Tom, Young Tom, Anne &Herbie and now Nick for keeping our heaven on earth alive. We just got back. Nick and his crew are doing everything they can to keep up the wonderful tradition that is Wine Lake. Thank you again for all you do.
This lodge
Scott Wade
Google
Fishing WLC since 2011 and it never disappoints! Nick runs a great camp and is very knowledgeable where the bite is. I have many precious memories there with many more to come hopefully! God's creation at its finest!
This lodge
Gene Lindgren
Google
My father first went to Wine Lake camp in 1964. It was a place he truly loved. I started going in 1995 and will be making 20th trip there in mid September. I have only the fondest memories of camp and can't wait to make more.
This lodge
Fanda Thomas
Google
If your looking for a place to unplug from the world and do some great fishing. This is your place! Nick and his group provide you with the cabin, the boat, and the minos. You just have to bring your gear, your food and be ready to relax and enjoy the peace and quiet.
This lodge

Getting There

Guests drive to the staging area at Perrault Falls, Ontario, along Highway 105, roughly 180 miles north of the U.S. border crossing at International Falls, Minnesota, then turn off onto a dirt road to a boat launch. From there, camp boats carry guests about 22 to 25 miles across a series of lakes and rivers, including a short portage around a waterfall, to reach the only camp on Wine Lake, a trip that takes under an hour. The separate Wabaskang Lake outpost cabin, by contrast, can be driven to directly.

Access:

boat-in

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Locations

Satellite map of Wine Lake Camp lodges and air base
Contact
Nick Karakis Wine Lake Camp
Perrault Falls, Ontario
1 Kingfisher Road Perrault Falls, ON P0V 2K0
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