If a giant lake trout is on your bucket list, Kamuchawie Lake needs to be at the very top of it. Kamuchawie is the remote fly-in outpost run by Bakers Narrows Lodge out of Flin Flon, Manitoba, and it was hands down the best trophy lake trout fishing I have ever experienced.

I first started hearing about Kamuchawie a few years back, including during my time at Tazin, where a few of the guests mentioned another destination that should be on the list and that destination was Kamuchawie.

Back then, Kamuchawie was a DIY outpost. Guests were flown out to a cabin with beds and boats, and from there they essentially “did it themselves.” Thinking back, what a wild risk. Kamuchawie is HUGE. Figuring out the water, learning the rocks (for safety) and everything else on your own, on an expensive fly-in trip, seemed insane to me. At the time, it meant Kamuchawie was never going to make my list.

That is, until Bakers Narrows purchased it shortly after. I’d already been to Bakers Narrows a couple of times, so I knew it would be in good hands and become a destination I’d HAVE to visit. Couple that with the footage Jason Mitchell (you can watch his video here), Nick Lindner, TJ Erickson and Brett McComas brought home from ice seasons past, and I couldn’t wait.

This September, I finally made it. Between all of our mom schedules, the trip was TIGHT. We drove up Monday and flew in Tuesday, landing around 3 p.m. We fished from 5 until dark that night, got out Wednesday morning and evening (the wind ran us off the lake in the afternoon, so we went in for a warm lunch) and fished all day Thursday. That’s about two full days of fishing spread across two and a half, and we still caught 12 lakers over 30 inches, 11 of them Master Angler-size.

The crazy part? The crew told us this was some of their slow fishing.

Below I break down:

• Getting to Kamuchawie Lake
• The fly-in outpost
• The fishing, and how we caught them
• What to know before you book

Getting to Kamuchawie Lake for Trophy Lake Trout Fishing

The drive, albeit long, is simple. It takes us through Pembina, but depending on your starting location, this will vary. From the Pembina border crossing, it’s about 8 hours and 45 minutes (866 km, roughly 540 miles) north to Flin Flon, and it is blacktop the entire way. No gravel, no washboard, no wondering if your tires are going to make it. Just a long, easy day in the vehicle.

Crossing the border was just as easy. There was one vehicle in line ahead of us, and the questions were simple: Where are you from? Where are you going? When are you coming back? What do you have with you? That was it. We were through in five minutes, tops.

My biggest recommendation? Stock up on snacks in Winnipeg. There aren’t many options between Winnipeg and The Pas, so grab what you need before you leave the city.

We rolled into Bakers Narrows Lodge Monday night, grabbed some sleep and food from their restaurant and got ready to fly Tuesday.

Flying In With Wings Over Kississing

Tuesday afternoon we loaded up with Wings Over Kississing, a family-run air service that has been flying lodges and outposts across northern Manitoba for years. They know this country.

If you’ve never flown into a lake on a floatplane, it’s an experience all on its own. The roads disappear, and it’s nothing but water, rock and spruce as far as you can see. It makes you realize just how far in the “backcountry” you are going.

Be sure to pack light and touch base on any luggage limits before arriving.

The Outpost: Remote, But Not Roughing It

Kamuchawie is the Bakers Narrows Lodge fly-in outpost, sitting right on the Manitoba–Saskatchewan border about 125 miles north of Flin Flon. You are about as far out there as it gets, but you are NOT roughing it.

There’s running water, a full bathroom and comfortable beds with linens provided. Yes, there’s even Starlink, so checking in at home every night was easy. Christina, our cook, kept us well fed. Life at the lodge was as easy as it gets.

What stands out most is that Bakers Narrows never sits still. The outpost was completely renovated, and while we were there, a crew of contractors was on site working on the next round of upgrades. Every time I talk to them, something else is getting better. You can tell they care about this place and it’s going to be in a league of it’s own when finished.

Trophy Lake Trout Fishing Results: 11 Masters in Two Days of Fishing

As for the fishing, it was simple. We only had to bring warm clothes. The tackle, rods, and of course guide and boat were all provided. Our guide Brody was AMAZING. Great at guiding and genuinely a good person to be around all day.

We had about two full days of fishing, spread across two and a half days:

• Tuesday: flew in around 3 p.m. and fished from 5 until dark
• Wednesday: morning and evening. The wind pushed us off the lake in the afternoon, so we went in for a warm lunch
• Thursday: all day

To get you amped up about whats ahead – here’s what we caught:

• 12 lake trout over 30″
• 11 of those were Master Angler-size (35″ or better)

And then there’s Christina.

Our cook finally got out on the water, and in her first four hours she caught four lake trout over 40 inches, plus around 15 more big fish. FOUR forty-inch lakers. In four hours. That tells you everything you need to know about what swims in this lake.

Trophy Lake Trout Fishing on LiveScope: Big Baits, Tiny Bites

We were throwing big Bondy baits, the kind you’d expect a 40-inch laker to absolutely crush. Our guide, Brody, told us that on a lot of days that’s exactly what happens: the fish charge up and hammer it. With the spawn setting in and some windy, rainy weather, though, they were on a different pattern for us.

In fact, some of the biggest fish of the trip barely touched it. You’d feel the tiniest tick, almost nothing, set the hook, and suddenly a giant has you fighting for your life! The biggest fish don’t always hit the hardest, so stay on your line.

As for jigging, we stayed closer to the bottom this trip and used more of a “walleye tap,” as I like to call it. Think small, subtle lifts instead of big, aggressive rips.

Brody had LiveScope on the boat, which made it that much more fun. You can watch a giant laker come up off the bottom, follow your bait, sit right under it and decide. Sometimes she eats. Sometimes she swims away. Watching a fish that size make up her mind on the screen is the most addicting thing I’ve ever done in a boat.

When one finally commits and you see her come up to the net? There’s nothing like it.

Bonus: The Walleye Are Here Too

We were there for lake trout, so we didn’t chase walleye. The contractors working at the outpost did, though.

One of them caught a walleye by accident, and after it seems that they couldn’t help themselves. They spent time hunting them down, and they found some absolute GIANTS. Kamuchawie isn’t just a lake trout lake, and I’d love to go back and target them.

What to Pack for Kamuchawie Lake

This is one of the easiest trips I have ever packed for. It’s all-inclusive, so Bakers Narrows provides the food, the rods, the tackle and the boats. You just bring yourself and the right clothes.

We went in the middle of September, and the weather up north can be wildly variable. We had sun, wind, rain and cold, sometimes all in the same day. Here’s what I packed:

• Rain gear. A good jacket and bibs. You will use them.
• Warm gear. We brought our ice suits in September and were glad we did. In the middle of summer you probably won’t need them, but bring warm layers either way.
• Boots. Waterproof and warm.
• An electronics bag. I like to film, so my cameras, batteries and chargers all live in one waterproof bag.
• Toiletries.
• Your license and passport. Buy your Saskatchewan angling license online before you go, and don’t forget your passport for the border.

That’s it. Warm clothes, your license and your passport. With the 50 lb luggage limit on the floatplane, packing light is a must, and not having to haul rods and tackle boxes makes the drive and the flight so easy.

Trophy Lake Trout Fishing Trip Tips: What to Know Before You Go

Every trip should have a list of general information to help you plan before you leave.

• Get a Saskatchewan angling license. The outpost sits on the Saskatchewan side of the lake. Buy it before you fly.
• Pack light. 50 lb of luggage per person on the floatplane.
• Timing. Open water runs early June to mid-September, and they offer ice fishing out here in the winter too.
• Small groups. The outpost holds up to eight guests in the summer and four in the winter while it undergoes renovations, so dates fill fast.
• Trip length. Bakers Narrows offers 3, 4 and 7-night packages.
• Master Angler. The Saskatchewan Master Angler program is catch-and-release only, and you need to submit in the same calendar year. Get a good horizontal measuring photo of every big one.

Why Kamuchawie Is Hands Down the Best Trophy Lake Trout Fishing I’ve Found

I have fished a lot of water across Minnesota, Manitoba and Canada. If you have never caught a true trophy lake trout, a fish over 40 inches, Kamuchawie is the best chance I know of.

The fish are there. The numbers are there. And Bakers Narrows takes care of everything else so you can just fish.

It’s remote, it takes some effort to get to and it is worth every single mile. This trip was a dream, and I’m already trying to figure out how to fit it into the schedule again.

Trophy Lake Trout Fishing at Kamuchawie Lake: FAQ

Where is Kamuchawie Lake?

Kamuchawie Lake sits right on the Manitoba–Saskatchewan border, about 125 miles north of Flin Flon, Manitoba. There are no roads in, so the only way there is by floatplane.

How do you get to Kamuchawie Lake?

Drive to Flin Flon (about 8 hours and 45 minutes from the Pembina border crossing, blacktop the whole way), then fly in with Wings Over Kississing. The Bakers Narrows outpost packages include the flight.

When is the best time for trophy lake trout fishing at Kamuchawie?

Open-water trips run early June through mid-September, and Bakers Narrows also offers ice fishing at the outpost in the winter. We fished mid-September and it was some of their slower fishing, and we still caught 12 lakers over 30 inches.

How big are the lake trout in Kamuchawie Lake?

Big. In about two days of fishing we caught 12 lake trout over 30 inches, and 11 of them were Master Angler-size (35 inches or better). Our cook, Christina, caught four over 40 inches in her first four hours on the water.

What fishing license do I need?

The outpost is on the Saskatchewan side of the lake, so you need a Saskatchewan angling license. Buy it before you fly.

Is there WiFi at the outpost?

Yes. The outpost has Starlink, so you can check in at home every night.

How many people does the outpost hold?

Up to eight guests in the summer and four in the winter while the outpost undergoes renovations. Bakers Narrows offers 3, 4 and 7-night packages, and dates fill fast. Call 1-866-603-6390 for availability.

Are there walleye and pike in Kamuchawie Lake?

Yes. We were there for lake trout, but the lake holds walleye and pike too. The contractors at the outpost found some absolute giant walleye.

What should I pack?

Not much. The trip is all-inclusive, so food, rods, tackle and boats are provided. Bring rain gear, warm layers (ice suits in the fall), waterproof boots, toiletries, your Saskatchewan angling license and your passport. There is a 50 lb luggage limit per person on the floatplane.

Ready to go? Book the Kamuchawie Lake fly-in outpost through Bakers Narrows Lodge. Call Bakers Narrows toll-free at 1-866-603-6390 to check dates.

Want more amazing Canadian fishing trips? Check out my trophy walleye trip to Hecla, Manitoba, another spot that belongs on your list.

Video to come soon!