Whitefish Bay Camp

Planning for 2010 trip

Whitefish Bay Camp — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:52:01 +0000

Whitefish Bay Camp is already preparing for the 2010 season. Finding a good place to spend your vacation time can be a time consuming thing to do. We think that the first thing to do is decide what type of place you are looking for ie: do you want to just flake out and totally relax or do you want entertainment, do you want to be in charge of your schedule or do you want someone else to plan out your whole stay for you? Maybe something in-between works for you. Not everyone likes the step back in time sort of location and really do need/want a casino, night club nearby that provide band music and lots of people. No right and wrong way to go just be sure to decide what you want for your time away! Right here is a good place to decide what your budget is and how to get the best bang for your buck!

Fishing and to a lesser degree hunting is what our guests are looking for. One big change we have seen over our 15 years as owners and managers of Whitefish Bay Camp, on beautiful Lake of the Woods, is that most of our guests are no longer interested in taking numbers of fish home. Instead they want to enjoy the hunt for the fish, return them to the lake for the future, well maybe harvest some for a meal now and then during their stay with us. We have seen this change effect the various fisheries in a positive way. Our season record board reflects these changes. Bigger fish in every one of the species. We are so pleased that the fishing in Whitefish Bay of Lake of the Woods as only improved over the years. We are so fortunate to be able to offer , Walleye, Northern Pike, Lake Trout, Small-mouth and Large-mouth Bass, Crappie, Whitefish and Perch. Many of our guests will target one species or another each day because they recognize that tactics, gear and tackle as well as skill level can be different for each one.

The second thing to consider is how far you want to have to travel and how. Fly-in, boat-in or drive right off the road to your cabin. All types of business have positive and negatives aspects to them not the least of them is the cost. Having a choice is the fun part, getting a group to agree on what they want can be the hard part. Many of our groups have learned that what works for them is to have one person be the organizer and communicate clearly to the others in the group. Simple for some and complicated for others

The third thing is to determine exactly what each business that you are considering will provide for you. Safe drinking water, linens, well maintained,comfortable cottages, kitchens, bathrooms, fully outfitted boats, the choice to bring your own boat. meals, guides, opportunities for doing things other than fish or hunt. Some business are willing to be flexible and some are less so. What does the business expect of its guests? Are there any special packages offered such as Family Plan, Parent Child, Honeymoon, Group discount to name a few? Are pets allowed? Not every place of business will meet the expectations of every group. Look for what your group wants!

Doing your research gives you a step up when the time to make a choice comes. Know what you want and where you can find it. The sport show season is coming up soon. Have your list of questions in hand when you visit your favorite shows, booth numbers of the business you want to visit and have a great time at the shows. Just a few things for you to think about….we have learned that every group of people is different and that is what makes this business so much fun for us, your hosts! We hope that you will go to our Sport Show page on our website http:// www.whitefishbaycamp.com and give us an opportunity to show you what we can offer you and at which shows you will find us. You can count on our being at all eleven All-Canada Shows. In the meantime, do not hesitate to e-mail us at info@whitefishbaycamp.com to start your getting the anwsers to your questions….talk to you soon we hope!

PLANNING IS THE KEY Lake of the Woods Although we were tired and a...

End of 2009 Season

Whitefish Bay Camp — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 23:27:13 +0000

Whitefish Bat Camp has closed another season on Lake of the Woods. Now, where in the world did that go? It always seems to stretch out with such exciting promises when we go in to open up in the Spring. This year was no exception!! The promise was fulfilled. But we do have to say that it was a very strange year. Cool, wet and windy just about says it all. I think we had about three weeks of Summer weather and that came in September! The really weird thing was that the fishing was terrific! That really was a pleasant surprise as the temperature of the water, at least in Whitefish Bay, never really warmed up to the levels we are use to seeing.

The largest fish in each species that our guests boated are as follows:

Northern Pike 41 1/2 inch Sept. 19

Walleye 28 1/2 inch Aug. 10

Small-mouth Bass 19 inch June 9

Large-mouth Bass 20 inch June 25

Lake Trout 34 1/2 inch May 25

Muskie 54 inch Sept 5

Crappie 14 1/2 inch June 11

Many if not most of these fish were released. We are so pleased to be able to say that over the years we have seen the trend of Catch andRelease really become the norm for our guests. People seem to realize that a meal or two of “eating size” fish is more than enough. This new attitude can do nothing but enhance fishing as time goes on…..the whole process serves to protect the precious resource of fish for future generations.

We left ONTARIO, CANADA, on Oct. 21. Hoping to miss the bad weather that we had heard was moving in, again! Instead we drove right into a snow storm which left us with four inches of the pretty white stuff in our front yard when we awoke Thursday morning.

It wasn’t the first snow we had seem for the Fall season. Our rough and tough October fishermen and hunters experienced several days of wet, heavy snow in early October……stayed around for several days and then left us with mud that sort of hung on….humidity stayed up and the sun did not shine to dry the land out. The duck hunters managed to find a few as the ducks were beginning to move down. The lack of wild rice in our area made it somewhat less attractive as a stopping place but there were enough around to make it successful for those who were willing to search, settle in and wait! The winners in the Whitetail Hunt were definitely the wolves! We saw and heard more wolves this year than ever before. Two of our hunters were on a small island very near us and were enjoying the afternoon in the wilderness when all of a sudden the wolves began to howl! They said the only thing between them and packs were the bushes. There were two groups,one on either side of where the hunters were situated and they reported that it sound as though they were howling back and forth to each other. We could hear it on Calvert Island. There really isn’t anything like that sound!

Bob and I are saying that we are going to kick back for a few days and relax a bit but so far we keep thinking of things we want to get done! Working on plans for the web-site, writing the newsletter and closing out the financial books for the accountant and getting everything in order for the Sport Show Circuit takes time for now then the fun part which for us will be planning for the 2010 season!

Opening Camp Finally the big day came and we were able to...

Tough Days Are Here!!

Whitefish Bay Camp — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 18:46:43 +0000

Yep, life can be rough sometimes….got up this morning here at Whitefish Bay Camp to clear blue skies, sun shine in my eyes, and noisy birds singing their little lungs out, cool breeze stirring the leaves and fresh fish in the frig for breakfast. Fishing has picked back up after a couple of days of heavy wind. Walleye last night were in about 8 feet of water on the windward shores…a little hard to control the boat but hey the fish were biting!! Found some 25 inch Northern nearby camp so that got added into the mix of things too. Darn things are all over the place.

Had five loads of laundry to finish up and it dried in about 20 minutes a load in this darn sunshine and breeze,

We have a slow week this week which here means that Bob and I don’t have to cook for any of our guests this week…first time we have had a full week off the kitchen range since the third week or so of May. Some of our guests are having a fish cook out at 4:30 in one of the shore picnic spots and invited us to join them. Be warm at that time of day so a cold beer might be in order too.

Yep, tough having to live and fish here at Whitefish Bay Camp on Lake of the Woods near Nestor Falls, Ontario, on a day like today!

Opening Camp Finally the big day came and we were able to...

Muskie Season Begins

Whitefish Bay Camp — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 19:35:15 +0000

Larry P. is here and continues to provide us all here at Whitefish Bay Camp with many smiles….a great guy with a great attitude toward this whole Muskie thing.

Lake of the Woods is noted for its Muskie population and this year though they may be a bit slower than usual due to the cool weather and lake water temperatures they have been showing themselves in the shallows the past week ….of course this is opening week so they are all laying low!!

The biggest one so far this year is 50″ to 53″ as it was a conservative estimate and of course was released. Sounds big, is big but there are even bigger ones to be had. A number of bigger ones have gotten to the side of the boat only to give THAT LOOK and throw the bait!

Largest one that one of our guests has ever caught was 60″ and it was a 16 year old boy who caught it…first ever Muskie….beginners luck? Not really as Grant has been back many times since then and now has his Dad along and all caught up in the adventures of Muskie Fishing!

End of 2009 Season Whitefish Bat Camp has closed another season on Lake of...

BABIES ARE HERE

Whitefish Bay Camp — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 20:30:38 +0000

It was one month to the day that we put the loon nesting platform out that we saw the two fluffy loon chicks with their parents swimming next to the nesting platform. Within another day the chicks were learning to dive for their own food with Mom and Dad supplementing the intake a bit. The adults usually relocate the family with in two or three days away from the nesting site and the eagles that fly over head and the big fish that swim beneath them but this year the four of them are still around and we are enjoying watching the two 2009 babies grow up. It never ceases to amaze us how fast they grow….Whitefish Bay Camp guests are noticing the difference on a day to day basis. They are now almost 8 days old and so we think they are both going to grow up to be beautiful as their parents and swim the waters of Lake of the Woods in Ontario. They are even practicing their calls….so funny to hear …they can’t quite do it yet. Practice makes perfect proves to be true yet again.

Babies On The Way Loon nest platform went out on the 13th of...

Babies On The Way

Whitefish Bay Camp — Mon, 25 May 2009 21:18:12 +0000

Loon nest platform went out on the 13th of May….with a full range of dried grasses and cat-tails stuck into it. The pair of loons that usually nests in it were swimming around and waiting for it. By the 14th we noticed that one of the pair was already sitting on a new nest. It was fun to check on the platform with the binoculars as you can see the changes in the landscape of brush as the loons work to rearrange and build their nest.
We should have at least one chick if not two arond the 14th of June as it takes about a month for the magic of development of the baby loon to happen. We feel so sorry for them, sitting out there, so exposed to the wind and rain! However, they seem to be doing just fine thank you with no interference by humans!! They really do seem to wait for the platform each year as though they have learned that the water level changes here on Lake of the Woods is not at all helpful to the rearing of a family in the nest that are placed so near the water’s edge that when the lake goes up the nest gets washed away or at the very least filled with cold water.
Whitefish Bay Camp will become grandparents again! Come visit and help in the celebration! Call 877-226-1211 or 807-226-1211 for reservations or contact us through our website www.whitefishbaycamp.com

BABIES ARE HERE It was one month to the day that we put...

PLANNING IS THE KEY

Whitefish Bay Camp — Mon, 18 May 2009 17:03:59 +0000

Lake of the Woods
Although we were tired and a tad travel weary we are pleased with the results of the Sport Shows. The interest level for fishing and hunting is certainly still there for outdoor minded people perhaps with a few changes to the usual plan.
Family Vacations
We have spoken to many who say that they are thinking of cutting back the number of trips that are in the works for the up-coming season and the focus is on what can the family do together. Rolling all the elements that family members are looking for into one trip can be a challenge but is possible if the organizer in the family takes the time to do their research of what is available in an area and if the business has their head above water enough to think about what they can offer to their guests in addition to the obvious ones.
Contact Whitefish Bay Camp
We urge those of you who fall into this group to contact us as we have a whole list of things that are available in our area that can only add to the adventure of a Family Vacation on Lake of the Woods at Whitefish Bay Camp.
Contact us
You can reach us by calling our toll-free telephone number 877-226-1211 or go through our web-site www.whitefishbaycamp.com where you will find a contact us button and we will help you put together a trip that will make everyone in the family happy!

Planning for 2010 trip Whitefish Bay Camp is already preparing for the 2010 season. ...

Opening Camp

Whitefish Bay Camp — Mon, 11 May 2009 15:38:54 +0000

Finally the big day came and we were able to move back out to the island. We came in on Friday the 8th of May which was the same date as we came in last year, the first good sign of a great season ahead! Lake of the Woods is beautiful any season of the year but in the early Spring it has a lonely feel to it…no beautiful green leaves showing their pretty faces to the breezes although the sentinels also known as the evergreens and still standing at their posts. The rocks are without their coats of moss and just a VERY few wild flowers are tough enough to be in bloom. But the gulls and eagles are here and so are the loons, in all their finery and even a few pelicans.

There are a few boats out and about searching the cold water for the Lake Trout. Walleye opener is this coming Saturday which will bring more trout fisher people as you can then us barbed hooks and fish parts as bait. Shore fishing (canning) becomes popular then. The Northern, Crappie, Bass and Muskie are beginning to move around a bit after a long winter.

We have the basic plant here at Whitefish Bay Camp in Ontario, Canada, up and running….the sound of the generator is always a welcome sound when it starts that first time!! Water is on and running through all the pipes so the bathrooms all function and so does that ever important ice machine….not as important now as it will be in a few weeks when the warm weather gets here.

As I said we got here Friday and Saturday it snowed!! Not the 2 feet we had a few years ago but STILL not to our liking. Sunday was beautiful and today is cool but has blue sky and sunshine….headed to 60 something degrees so our spirits remain high.

Haven’t planned your trip yet? Come up and see us at Whitefish Bay Camp,Nestor Falls/Sioux Narrows, Ontario, call 877-226-1211 for more information.

IT’S HERE SPRING !!!! Bob and I always get excited on the...

BIG NEWS AT WHITEFISH BAY CAMP

Whitefish Bay Camp — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 20:27:54 +0000

Long Term Rental Program

We have developed a program that offers an opportunity for a week long cabin rental at Whitefish Bay Camp on Lake of the Woods.

The rental agreement guarantees the week for 10 years for a party of up to six people in a brand new three bedroom, two bathroom cabin at a very reduced rate. If the thought of having a cabin on a lake as beautiful as Lake of the Woods has crossed your mind this may be the perfect opportunity!

We have a few spaces left in the program so if interested in further details contact us at our toll free number 877-226-1211 and we will be happy to go further into the details with you.

Opening Camp Finally the big day came and we were able to...

Whitefish Bay Camp — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 20:17:56 +0000

PASSPORTS – NOW IS THE TIME

If you are planning a trip to anywhere in Canada this season you need to know that as of June , 2009, all adult travelers will need either a Passport Book (approximately $100.00) or Passport Card (approximately $50.00) to enter the United States. At this point your entry into Canada does not require them. If I were one who plays hunches frequently I would say that will be coming soon. Anyone who is over the age of 18 will need to have either one or the other in hand. People who are under the age of 18 years need to have their Birth Certificate with them. A copy will do. Need to remember that the Passport Card while less expensive does not last as long, 5 years versus 10 years and it also limits the method of travel to by land only. For those of our guests at Whitefish Bay Camp on Lake of the Woods who have not yet applied for their Passport, book or card, do it NOW. It is really easy to do. Many local Post Offices are now equipped to accept the application. If they are not prepared at your local Post Office they will be able to tell you the closest place you can go to apply. Be sure to have your Birth Certificate with you and you must apply in person. It might be a good idea to call ahead of time to be sure that they have the camera there or if you need to have two copies of the right size picture with you.

For the latest information regarding Application for Passports and what is required for minors traveling to Canada we strongly suggest that you go to the following website: http://travel.state.gov/passprt/get/first/first_830.html

Remember the Northern Pike, Bass, Walleye, Muskie, Crappie and Lake Trout are waiting for you at Whitefish Bay Camp so sharpen your hooks, line your pools, check your nets and get your Passports

Opening Camp Finally the big day came and we were able to...