Witch Bay Camp

A drive-to destination for great food, great lodging and incredible fishing.
witchbaycamp__dock.jpg

Witch Bay is located on a secluded bay on the giant one-million-acre Lake of the Woods. The seven-mile drive off the highway winds through beautiful Ontario terrain with its closest neighbour 12 miles away, a rarity for a drive-to lodge in this part of Ontario. Owners Steve and Gail Hockett will make you feel right at home, like they have been for over two decades. Steve actually started working here when he was just 21 years old. Their daughter, Caitlin, also works at the camp. And their son, Mike, has worked there as well. We had the pleasure of spending some time on the water fishing with both Steve and Mike. Mike has some pretty awesome stories during his many seasons of muskie guiding. There is a lot of history in the area besides the fishing, including the nearby Wendigo Gold Mine, which ran from 1899 to 1943.

wendigo gold mine
Photo of the Wendigo Gold Mine. (Photo credit: Lindner Media)

For accommodations, they offer both modern and rustic cabins. We stayed in a spacious new log cabin. And the added touch of having coffee delivered to your cabin each morning made it even better.

witch bay camp new cabin
(Photo credit: Lindner Media)
witch bay camp aerial
(Photo credit: Lindner Media)

Walleye is the main target here, along with the GIANT TROPHY MUSKIE. We're talking 50-inch-plus fish-of-a-lifetime! Looking through their annual brochure, it is filled with huge muskie from the previous year. It's not uncommon when walleye fishing to get into some jumbo perch, too. Did I mention all the smallmouth that populate the countless shallow rock piles and weed beds?!

witch bay camps musky
(Photo credit: Lindner Media)

The boat fleet is armed with 17 to 18-foot Lund and Crestliners, fully outfitted with electronics, trolling motors, live wells, life jackets, and landing nets. The dock staff tops off the boats with fuel each evening and plugs them in to ensure a full charge for the electronics and trolling motor.

Make sure your stay includes a Wednesday! Every Wednesday is the camp's shore lunch, and every Thursday is steak night. Fortunately, we were there to get a taste of both. All lodging packages include all-you-can-eat meals, three a day. Bring an appetite!

witch bay camp steak night
(Photo credit: Lindner Media)

Something very unique they offer is the "Witch Bay Fishing Program", included at NO ADDITIONAL CHARGE with your stay! This is a great way to get the lay of the land and hit the ground, err water, running when you venture out on your own. Their seasoned, knowledgeable guide staff will show you the how-tos to maximize your time there. This includes going over a map in detail to mark fishing areas, different fishing presentations, and answering any questions you may have.

Nearly 85% of the people who stay at Witch Bay Camp return again, according to Steve. It is a very good bet you will be able to add me to that list. Roughly an eight-hour drive from Minneapolis, and depending on traffic, a one-day drive from Milwaukee or Chicago is possible. A drive-to destination, not far across the border from Minnesota, for great food, great lodging, and incredible fishing! The extended season is available for Housekeeping rates in October and then in November for whitetail deer hunts.

For more information, visit www.witchbay.com

About Troy Lindner

Troy Lindner is a co-host of The Ontario Experience airing on The Sportsman Channel. He was born and raised in Minnesota, which included many travels into Ontario, Canada growing up. The son of legendary angler, Al Lindner. Troy always enjoys journeying north across the border to experience the incredible fishing of Canada. A seasoned bass tournament fisherman, he has won over 40 events, including the 2016 Wild West Bass Trail AOY. His favorite fish to catch are smallmouth bass, with muskie being a close second. And Ontario waters offer trophy fishing adventures for both of these!

Recommended Articles

5 Places to Shore Fish

Fish’n Canada shows you where to go shore fishing in Ontario.

Long Nose Gar

A Fish for the Bucket List

Top 5 Baits for Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass

What baits do you use to target bass? Find out why these 5 are the best!

Nipigon Brook Trout

Experience some high caliber trout fishing in Northwestern Ontario.

The Tigers of Sunset Country

The most picturesque of all freshwater fish.

Abitibi Walleye Experience

Fishing for Walleye, Northern Pike and Jumbo Perch

3 Great Ontario Walleye Destinations

Karl of Extreme Angler recommends must do walleye lakes in Ontario.

Fly-in Fishing

Why You Need to Book a Fly-in Fishing Trip

Eating Northern Pike

The Best Recipe to Cook This Fish

Fishing and Foraging

Add some fresh foods and forage to your fishing adventures!

Don’t Be Afraid Of Muskies

Muskies are fish of 10,000 casts and are found in large bodies of water in Northwestern Ontario.

Perfect Fall Fishing

Fishing Bass in Kawarthas & Northumberland

5 Keys To Canadian Muskies

The fish of 10,000 casts; an elusive predator fish with legend and lore.

Bass Clash on Lake Cecebe

Maijac Cottages and Marine is located on Lake Cecebe in the Almaguin Highlands region.

Steelhead and Salmon of Northern Ontario

Ontario's north is home to tributaries of Lake Superior and Lake Huron—and many species of salmon and steelhead

Nipigon River Salmon

Catching chinook salmon in Northwestern Ontario with Nipigon River Adventures

Lake Temagami Fishing

Sharpshooting Trophy Lake Trout At Loon Lodge.

Bob Izumi searches for bass and pike

Fishing unfamiliar territory, Bob Izumi lands monster smallies and Northern pike

3 Surefire Strategies for Canadian Muskies

Fishing for Ontario Musky

Top 8 Places to Ice Fish in Ontario

Ice fishing in Ontario offers diverse catches in serene winter settings.