Drive-in Eastern Ontario Fishing Help

[riverwader]

After many years of fly-in fishing in western Ontario and trips to LOTWs, I'm getting a little older and looking for drive-in areas in eastern Ontario to explore.  We have a place in Minden and I'm hoping to narrow down a few lakes to learn to fish within eight hours (the closer the better).  I'm not looking for secret spots, just some general guidance on areas or lakes that have decent walleye, pike, bass and maybe some lake trout fishing.  I've heard the Chapleau and Mattagami areas have some good lakes. Any advice is very appreciated.  

[the spirit of fishing]

For over twenty years (until 2022) I was part of a group that would go to the Shining Tree area for a week of fishing. Age caught up to most of our group and because of the remoteness we decided to stop going there.

We found success with walleye,bass, splake,speckled trout,lake trout, rainbow trout and pike.

Our trips were usually the last week of May though we did take a few trips in September. The May trips were usually the most successful but we did ok at the end of September too.

We selected the trout lakes we targeted using stocking lists and travelled various forest access roads to get to them.

There's lot's of walleye,pike and bass lakes in the area too.

Check out the Fish On Line tool to get an idea.

If you want more specific info I can give it to you by "PM'. 

[CrowMan]

I'd recommend 3 spots:

1. Whalesback Channel/ mouth of the Spanish River...North Channel of Lake Huron

2. West Arm/Upper French River of Lake Nippissing 

3. Lac Kipawa, Quebec (just across the border from Ontario)

[riverwader]

Thanks for the input.  This gives me some great areas to explore.

[lew]

21 hours ago, CrowMan said:

 

 

2. West Arm of Lake Nippissing 

 

My favorite spot of anywhere else I've ever fished.

[riverwader]

Thanks Lew.  I heard that from a number of people.  We are looking at a trip to Memquisit Lodge.  My son's friend loves it.  

[lew]

10 minutes ago, riverwader said:

Thanks Lew.  I heard that from a number of people.  We are looking at a trip to Memquisit Lodge.  My son's friend loves it.  

We've stayed at Memquisit several times and the place is absolutely amazing and Frank & Charlene are as good as they come and will go out of their way to make your visit great.

[akaShag]

On 5/23/2025 at 2:38 PM, riverwader said:

Memquisit Lodge.

Back to CrowMan, was that the place you were talking about when I lost cell service?  Just curious...........

Doug

[CrowMan]

9 hours ago, akaShag said:

Back to CrowMan, was that the place you were talking about when I lost cell service?  Just curious...........

Doug

Yeah, one of the places....but I think I was rambling on for awhile before I realized I was talking to dead air..

[akaShag]

1 hour ago, CrowMan said:

I realized I was talking to dead air

Heck, you might have been doing that for the ten minutes before.............😄