WHAT YOU SHOULD BRING

Basics

Things everybody needs.

  • Passports and other necessary border crossing documents (see our Border Crossing section).
  • Ontario Outdoors Cards and Fishing Licenses, if you have them.  You can also purchase liceses at the lodge.
  • Hunters bring a license from the previous year,  or a hunter’s safety certificate.
  • Cash for gratuities for guides and staff
  • Cell phone, or camera
  • Watch
  • Alarm clock
  • Towels and washcloths
  • Headlamp and flashlights
  • Polarized sunglasses
  • Sunblock, lip balm, and insect repellent
  • Toilet items and any necessary medications in original prescription bottles for the Border Crossing.
  • Each person of legal age may import one carton of cigarettes, or 20 cigars.
  • No handguns, pepper spray, or radar detectors are allowed into Canada.

Clothing

The appropriate gear obviously depends on the season, but here are the general guidelines about things you will want.

  • Comfortable, casual camp clothing
  • Layered fishing clothes, preferably in fast-drying fabrics.  Even in summer, you will experience cold mornings and evenings and potentially hot days, and some rainstorms, so come ready for anything.  For spring and fall trips, you must be prepared for real cold, as well as stormy weather.
  • Hats to keep you warm and to keep the sun off.  Sunburn is a real issue when spending all day on the water.  Consider bringing a buff to protect your face and neck.
  • Quality raingear, with a hood, and pants, or, better yet, bib pants with suspenders to keep your torso dry in a moving boat in a downpoor.
  • Waterproof shoes or boots.  Having wet feet all day is not fun.
  • Gloves to keep your hands warm and to cushion your hands from holding the reel and handling line all day.
  • A waterproof boat bag to store the clothing, camera, snacks, and other essentials you don’t want to get wet.

Gear For the Boat

For many people, stocking up the tackle box and gear kits is one of the pleasures of anticipating their trip.  Here are a few important reminders about gear everybody needs in the boat.

  • Polarized sunglasses.
  • Headlamp and batteries for it.
  • First aid kit, with waterproof bandages and antibiotic cream, at a minimum.
  • Make an emergency kit of screwdrivers and pliers.  They could save your day if there are any minor mechanical fixes that needs to be made.
  • Net(s).  Bring a size appropriate for the species of fish you are wanting to catch.
  • Tools for safely unhooking fish, to protect them and you.
  • Sunscreen
  • Fish towels