Yes, an Ontario fishing license is required (it is NOT included with your stay) and you will also need an Ontario Outdoorsman Card. We recommend that you purchase them online before your trip.
We provide your tag upon arrival.
Lake St. Joseph is renowned as one of the best walleye and northern pike lakes in Northwest Ontario. Access is restricted by a permit system with only 1,936 tags distributed annually across the four resorts on the lake.
Fishing is excellent all summer due to the cool water temperatures in the Arctic Watershed.
No, only the hook tied to your line must be barbless to comply with conservation practices.
Yes, Ontario fishing regulations apply as well as Lake St. Joseph size limits. Walleye and northern pike have size and possession limits that are as follows.
Size Restrictions
Possession Limits
The beauty of Lake St. Joseph is that the fish are everywhere—you don’t have to go far to have a successful fishing trip. Even fishing right from the dock can yield great catches! If you prefer to explore, we can point you to some productive spots closer to camp, so you don’t need to venture far down the lake.
Yes, Lake St. Joseph has rocky areas, so it’s important to navigate carefully, especially if you’re new to the lake. If you’re unsure, we recommend hiring a fishing guide to familiarize yourself with the best routes and fishing spots while avoiding hazards.
No, thanks to the remoteness and permit system, the lake remains quiet and uncrowded.
Yes, we sell minnows on-site.
No, please bring your own live-bait cooler.
Our camp kayak is available for guest use free of charge.
Yes, we ask that a group leader collects deposits for the entire party and pays them all at once to reserve your stay.
No, but tips are greatly appreciated! Leave them with staff directly or the owners for distribution. Tips are especially appreciated for any guided fishing trips.
We accept cash, checks, credit cards, and Venmo. For your deposit, checks should be mailed to our summer or winter address accordingly.
Yes, as long as there’s space in your reserved cabin.
Deposits are $300 per person and non-refundable within 30 days of your stay.
Outside of 30 days, deposits are transferable and refundable.
Children up to 17 years old get a 50% discount when accompanied by two adults in a boat. If they fish independently as an angler, they pay full price.
Yes, subject to cabin availability, we accept last-minute bookings.
Yes, we encourage repeat guests to secure their dates early for the following year.
We don’t have a strict check-in or check-out timeframe, but we generally ask that you are out of your cabin by 10am.
Boat rentals are fair game to beach wherever needed, there are plenty of sandy areas to beach on. Just be smart and safe, any damages to rental boats or equipment will be added to your bill.
Food / Kitchen:
Personal Items & Clothing:
Fishing Gear:
Fishing rods and reels, spare line, tackle box, bait cooler, lures, jaw spreader, pliers, stringer, screwdriver/other tools (some of which will be available at the bait shop).
We will have live bait available at our camp bait shop pending availability, we encourage you to call ahead to check inventory.
It is not legal to cross the border with any live or dead bait.
We highly recommend investing in ‘Bait Stop’ as you will be using barbless hooks and it will help prevent your bait from slipping off.
Miscellaneous:
Electrical Appliances:
Please do not bring things such as fans, crock pots, electric fryer, toaster, coffee pots, etc. as our solar cannot support the added load. We have a microwave, toaster, and coffee pot available for guest use in the main gazebo and have propane fish fryers available for guest use as well.
Essentials That We Provide:
Yes, pets are welcome, but they must be leashed and supervised at all times. There is an additional pet fee, so you must notify us if and how many you will be bringing for approval before your arrival.
Yes, each cabin has a gas grill, and a community grill is available on the gazebo deck.
Yes, there is an ice machine at Camp Lake St. Joseph. We ask our guests to respect a usage limit of 1 bag of ice per person per day.
Yes, there’s Wi-Fi in camp and cell service within a 5-mile range on the lake.
Yes, but requests depend on meeting the cabin’s occupancy requirements.
Cabins accommodate between 2 and 10 people, depending on their size.
Yes, extra sleeping arrangements can be made upon request, subject to availability.
Yes, there’s a toaster and coffee available in the gazebo starting at 6:30 AM daily.
No, our camp runs on solar power and cannot support additional appliances. Please do not bring things such as fans, crock pots, electric fryer, toaster, coffee pot, etc. as our solar cannot support them. If you have any questions about what you can or cannot bring, please give us a call.
Yes, you are welcome to bring your CPAP machine. If you require additional medical equipment, please let us know before you book your stay to ensure we can accommodate your needs.
Groceries can be purchased in Thunder Bay, Sioux Lookout, or Dryden on your way to camp. There is also a grocery store 18 miles away in Pickle Lake. For convenience, we can shop for you for a fee.
No, guests are responsible for bringing their own food for the duration of their stay. This helps keep costs low. We do, however, host a weekly fish fry for all camp guests.
Yes, the camp water at camp is safe to drink, but you’re welcome to bring your own.
Yes, we have a limited selection of alcohol for purchase.
You’ll drive to our access point, where we’ll pick you up (or help you with your gear if you’re bringing your own boat) for an 8-minute boat ride to camp. To put it simply, we are a drive-to, boat-in resort that offers a fly-in feel.
Our access point landing has no formal address.
To get there, we recommend entering Oz Lake Lodge into your GPS. Our landing is about 2km south of there. When you are driving up Hwy 599, you will see a sign for Camp Lake St Joseph about 1 km before the turn off to the landing. At the turnoff to the landing there is a sign for Camp Lake St Joseph indicating the left turn.
You may also check in at Oz Lake Lodge and have them call us to come pick you up. Oz Lake Lodge also offers secure parking for a fee if you are not comfortable parking at the landing.
Guests are encouraged to call us 5km before the landing (basically as soon as you regain cell service).
Yes, parking is available at the access point which is a public landing. For secure parking, arrangements can be made with a neighboring resort for $50/week.
The roads are fully paved and in good condition.
If you have a DUI on your record, don’t worry—it doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t visit Canada. While a DUI conviction may make you criminally inadmissible, there are legal processes to overcome this.
At Camp Lake St. Joseph, we welcome all fishing enthusiasts to experience the beauty of Northern Ontario’s wilderness. Whether you’re planning a peaceful retreat or an exciting fishing adventure, we encourage you to explore your options for entry, such as applying for a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) or Criminal Rehabilitation.
Consulting with an immigration professional can help you navigate the process and ensure a smooth journey to your next adventure. We look forward to welcoming you to our resort, where stunning lakes, wildlife, and world-class fishing await!
There are legal pathways that may allow individuals with a DUI to enter Canada. Here’s a guide to the options:
Documents to Prepare for Entry:
It’s always wise to prepare well in advance, as these processes can take a few months. If you have any questions or want to be certain of your eligibility, consulting an immigration professional is highly recommended.
