Imagine planning a fly-in fishing trip for walleyes and northern pike then discovering that not one, but tow of this province's premiere fishing lodges are situated on that very lake. Furthermore, indulge in the fantasy that both of those full-services lodges have made a commitment to providing your fishing party with a memorable, relaxing, trouble-free angling vacation on a little-known, top-rated wilderness lake. Yeah, right. Can't be, you say. Verify this data at Nagagami Lake.

Big Nagagami Lake first drew my attention several years ago as we drove north of White River on highway #631 toward Nagagamisis Provincial Park. Considering its sheer size, relative isolation and proximity to Hornepayne's many air services I thought it might have some potential for fishing. But, it wasn't until March '90 at the Toronto Sportsmen's Show that two very reputable fishing lodges - Nagagami Lodge and Timberwolf Lodge - were associated with the lake. Thereupon, like an arrangement of dominoes, everything systematically fell into place and before the show ended, an August booking was mine. And, in order to get a broad view of Liddle's 2-lodge Nagagami Lake operation, the trip would see us split our time and fishing between the two camps. Dave Sauvé, Ontario Fisherman field editor and a regular fishing sidekick, eagerly agreed to accompany me on this rather unique angling adventure.

NAGAGAMI LAKE

Nagagami Lake, located approximately 15 air miles northwest of Hornepayne, is a medium-sized, kidney-shaped lake measuring 8 miles in length and 2 to 4 miles in width. The lake shows three distinct areas - the eastern basin, a shallow (20 to 40 ft.), smooth-bottomed area; the western basin, a deeper (10 to 90 ft.), irregularly contoured area with islands, rocky shoreline, shoals; a long, narrow, deep (10 to 70 ft.) northerly arm. Unlike many large, diverse lakes, Nagagami Lake has excellent angling in all three regions: particularly for walleyes and northern pike (although there is a healthy whitefish population and some perch in the lake).

The lake is most unusual in that, in the large eastern basin, a very narrow but productive weedline can be found far offshore where the lake bottom falls from 8 to 12 feet. Because it is well out in the lake and not continuous, finding it becomes on of the keys to the lake's great pike fishing. More on that later! The water is stained from the ever present tannins leaching into the lake from surrounding timber and soils. The lake warms up early for this part of the North and because of its size, can get very rough when the wind blows. There are few boating hazards in the main lake, except along the rugged north-arm shoreline and amongst the island clusters. Isolated hazards are marked by the lodge staff and have been carefully pinpointed on a very detailed, hydro-contour map of Nagagami Lake produced by the lodges for their guests. Key fishing areas are highlighted.

Also accessible (via short, easy portages) are two small lakes: Hiawatha and Pody. Both offer excellent walleye and pike fishing. At Pody Lake, a catch & release lake, monster northerns and bigger than average walleyes are caught regularly.