Nestled in the heart of Northwestern Ontario, Camp Lake St. Joseph is a hidden gem that has captured the hearts of avid walleye anglers for decades. This permit-only lake, known for its pristine waters and abundant fish, has long been a cherished destination for those seeking an exceptional fishing experience. In fact, 100 – 150 fish days can be the norm for anyone fishing Lake St. Joseph. This lake is loaded with aggressive and hungry walleye, and the formula is as simple as finding some structure and dropping a jig and minnow down to hookup on these fish.
Whether you’re a seasoned fisherman or about to embark on your first adventure, there is no better place to set your sights than Camp Lake St. Joseph.
WHAT SETS LAKE ST. JOSEPH APART
For generations, Lake St. Joseph has been a well-kept secret among those who know its outstanding fishing opportunities. In fact, my own uncle was one of the first people to mention this destination to me, a place he went with a group of 10 where they would do their annual walleye trips. Remembered as his favorite vacation, Lake St. Joseph’s limited pressure and abundance of fish makes it a memorable spot for anyone making the trip.
Here is why Lake St. Joseph is known as such a great fishery and why Camp Lake St. Joseph needs to be on your radar.
- Abundant Fish and Limited Pressure: Lake St. Joseph is a tag only lake, meaning nonresidents have to obtain a tag to fish it, and the only way to do that is through one of the few resorts on the lake. This means this lake sees very little pressure in a given year. Little pressure means incredibly easy fishing.
- A Remote Adventure: There are no roads in to the resort. Therefore, it’s a “boat-in” experience and you have to haul your gear for your stay across the water to the resort. The boat-in experience gives you that “fly-in” remote wilderness feel at a fraction of the price and hassle.
- Affordable: Perhaps one of the biggest draws to Camp Lake St. Joseph (our resort of choice) is the pricing. For as little as $110 a day you get the backcountry lake experience with some impressive amenities. Want to rent a boat? $135 gets you a boat, gas and ice for your stay at the lake.
- Incredible Guidance: Camp Lake St. Joseph’s staff goes above and beyond to help you have a great trip. First of all their guide, Max, is on staff for those who want a day out on the lake with an experienced angler. For those who don’t need a guide, the staff is very happy to give all of their guests tips on catching fish. It’s a very easy lake for catching, but for those new to fishing having a helping hand is always welcoming. In addition, the staff also is there to help you with your gear and even clean fish if you wish.
- Flexibility: You don’t need all day. The fish are always biting, so enjoy your morning, come in for lunch, and take a break whenever you’d like; or if you prefer, fish all day. However, I REALLY recommend bringing a tally counter so you can see just how many fish you catch. Either way, Camp Lake St. Joseph is all about flexibility, helping accommodate you and your favorite style of walleye fishing.
Below I go through what a Camp Lake St. Joseph Trip looks like.
CAMP LAKE ST. JOSEPH ACCESSIBILITY: A Drive-To/Boat-To Walleye Destination
Accessibility is a breeze at Camp Lake St. Joseph. This exotic fishing camp offers a fly-in feel without the fly-in expense. Located just a two-hour drive north of Lac Seul, it’s easily accessible via paved roads all the way to the boating access. It’s a long drive, but a very easy one.
Once you arrive at the boat access, the camp staff will transport you and your gear by barge to the camp. You can ride with them and use one of their boats at the camp OR you can choose to drive your own boat over. Of course, I chose to drive my Starcraft Delta. However, my family rode on the barge and took most of our gear with them. This boat ride was maybe 20 minutes max.
This unique “boat-in” experience provides a more exclusive fishing opportunity on a lake that’s not open to everyone.
CAMP LAKE ST. JOSEPH AMENITIES
This once rustic camp has become a much more accommodating destination under the direction of the new owners. In fact, Camp Lake St. Joseph, our camp of choice, is one of the nicest, and affordable options on any lake I’ve been to of this caliber (and I’ve been to a lot) . Not only is fishing great, but this boat-in only remote destination has some pretty great amenities. So much so, I even brought my parents and 20 month old daughter along for the adventure.
The new owners, Andy and Sarah, have renovated the entire camp, including the cabins – adding modern plumbing and making them feel like home. Surprisingly, it was one of the nicer cabins I have stayed at yet this year, and it rents for $110/per person a night! That’s a heck of a deal.
WHAT TO BRING TO CAMP
As for what’s included, it’s everything but your fishing gear and food. You’re responsible for your own meals, but there’s a special treat each Tuesday: a fish fry hosted at the camp. This event not only features delicious food but also provides a wonderful opportunity to socialize with fellow guests. While attendance is entirely optional, it adds a nice touch to the already exceptional experience the camp offers.
As for fishing gear, we had everything we needed since I brought my boat with. However, if I would have rented, I would have brought my favorite MLF St. Croix Avid rod and Lindy Live bait jigs (code nicole10 at Lurenet.com). That was really all I needed (with a pliers and clippers of course) to find success. Fishing is that easy, and you can’t go wrong with an Avid MLF for any sort of jigging and rigging application.
FISHING AT CAMP LAKE ST. JOSEPH
Fishing on Lake St. Joseph truly lived up to its legendary reputation. The action was phenomenal, and the technique was straightforward. Success came easily by simply locating some islands or areas of structure and dropping jigs and minnows. A basic 2D sonar was more than enough to mark the fish, and nearly every mark resulted in a catch—fishing was that reliable. Their boats are equipped with basic electronics, however I’m convinced that even with no electronics, you could find fish off of any island on the lake.
When it comes to jig size, anything goes, but we found that 1/8 or 1/16 oz live bait jigs with a short shank worked exceptionally well. The short shank is perfect for live bait applications, and the lighter jigs helped avoid snagging the many rocks scattered across the lake. Both casting and jigging methods were effective, often leading to multiple hookups, with doubles and triples being quite common in our boat.
What truly stands out about this fishery is the aggression of the fish, which extends even to fishing off of the dock.
If you aren’t only looking for walleye, then be sure to pack your pike gear too. In fact, Lake St. Joseph is well known for its fish over 40″ and with some persistence your efforts will pay off.
As for time of year, we went mid-summer due to all of our work schedules, but I don’t think there’s a wrong time to go.
EXCEPTIONAL VALUE AND TIMELESS APPEAL: WHY CAMP LAKE ST. JOSEPH WILL KEEP YOU COMING BACK
Camp Lake St. Joseph is not only an exceptional fishing destination but also an incredibly affordable one, offering remarkable value for an unparalleled experience. The combination of breathtaking scenery, outstanding fishing, and the friendly, welcoming atmosphere makes it a standout choice for any angler. With its rich history of success and the sheer excitement of its aggressive fishery, it’s no wonder that visitors keep coming back year after year. The camp’s ability to deliver both quality and affordability ensures that your time at Lake St. Joseph will be memorable, and its magnetic appeal will undoubtedly draw you back for many seasons to come.
