Fushimi Lake Provincial Park

21 September 2023

Fishing and Camping Adventure at Fushimi Lake Provincial Park

Recently, I had the pleasure of embarking on a fishing trip to Fushimi Lake Provincial Park with my wife, uncles, grandpa, and cousin. Equipped with my newly acquired 14′ aluminum boat from the Facebook Marketplace, we set out to explore a place we’ve been wanting to fish for the past year. Our primary goal was to reel in trophy northern pike and some walleye for lunch by the lake. While my personal fishing luck wasn’t great, the journey unfolded with some amazing moments and unforgettable memories. 

Previous Year | Before Our Fly-In Fishing Trip

We made a quick pit stop at the park the previous June the night before our fly-in fishing trip with Hearst Air, we had AMAZING fishing right from shore. I experienced the thrill of a lifetime as I reeled in my biggest pike ever, measuring an impressive 37 inches. Meanwhile, my cousin had multiple encounters with fish in the high 20s to low 30s, including a massive 40-inch beast that we managed to bring close to the bank (although I admit, I should have done a better job landing it). In addition to the unreal pike fishing, we were also blessed with the opportunity to reel in walleye directly from our campsite. The possibilities of the fishing at Fushimi Lake left an indelible mark on us, which was the driving force to plan this trip.

2023 Fushimi Lake Camping Trip

Our adventure began after a 1000km drive from Southern Ontario. We arrived at Fushimi Lake Provincial Park and set up camp on sites 18 and 20, conveniently located right on the shores of the lake with spots to pull our boats right up on shore. The park was quiet with only 1 or 2 other campers around. The stunning views and sounds of the north immediately set the stage for an incredible experience. Our campsite offered a perfect blend of modern comforters and natural beauty, providing us with a base from which to explore the wonders of the park.

As the days unfolded, my uncles and grandpa demonstrated their expertise and experience by reeling in some impressive northern pike. The excitement was in the air, sharing stories of their epic battles with these beasts. Although I didn’t have the same luck, hearing their stories made me happy but also motivated me to keep fishing for that giant I’ve been looking for..

Amongst the triumphs and near-misses, a special moment unfolded when we were trolling a back bay… my wife found herself in a battle with a giant fish… After a couple runs she was able to bring it close enough for us to get a glimpse before it took off again. It was the trophy pike we had been after. All of a sudden it seemed to give up, she was surprised to reel in a small pike. Right away I knew what happened. The big northern attempted to make a dinner out of the smaller pike my wife had on originally. Although we didn’t land the giant, it was an amazing experience and really showcased the type of fish that can be found in this lake.

My wife just started fishing with me a few months before during ice fishing season, so this would be her first open water fishing experience in 20 years. On day 1 we went over all the basics including how to cast, after a few failed attempts on the first evening, she quickly improved her skills. Looking like a PRO by the end of the trip. She caught a couple hundred little pike over the span of the trip, giving her lots of practice fighting and landing fish.

On the last day of our trip, she managed to land a decent-sized northern, the biggest in the new boat so far. While I continued to pull in tiny pikes, no matter what lure or what size.

Nonetheless, this fishing trip to Fushimi Lake Provincial Park will forever hold a special place in my heart. It was a journey filled with amazing moments, stories, and the thrill of fishing amidst breathtaking natural surroundings. While my personal goals of catching trophy northern pike eluded me, the successes of my wife, uncles, and grandpa were a testament to the unpredictability of fishing. More importantly, the trip provided us with cherished memories with family and an opportunity to share our love for fishing that will undoubtedly inspire future adventures together. 

One of the most important things to consider when traveling to this area is the bugs… Not everyone can tolerate the numbers of mosquitoes, black flies and other bugs that could be present at any time of day. Come prepared. In particular, I would recommend a bug net for your bed in case any get in your tent or camper, nothing worse than mosquitoes buzzing in your ears all night.

Marcus Wu

@TimeOnTheLake