Fishing Licenses
Crossing the Border
How To Get Here
Fishing & Regulations
Do I need a fishing license?
Yes, an Ontario fishing license is required you will also need an Ontario Outdoorsman Card. We recommend that you purchase them online before your trip.
Where do I get the fishing tag that allows me to fish the lake?
We provide your tag upon arrival.
How's the fishing on Lake St. Joseph?
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.
What’s the best time of year to catch fish?
Fishing is excellent all summer due to the cool water temperatures in the Arctic Watershed.
Do all my hooks need to be barbless?
No, only the hook tied to your line must be barbless to comply with conservation practices.
Are there size or catch limits for fish?
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
- All walleye over 18″ must be immediately released
- All northern pike over 27.5″ must be immediately released
Possession Limits
- SPORT LICENSE: 4 northern pike, 4 walleye
- CONSERVATION LICENSE: 2 northern pike, 2 walleye
Where is the best place to catch fish on the lake?
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.
Is the lake rocky?
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.
Is the lake busy?
No, thanks to the remoteness and permit system, the lake remains quiet and uncrowded.
Do you sell live bait at camp?
Yes, we sell minnows on-site.
Can you store minnows that I bring into or purchase at camp?
No, please bring your own live-bait cooler.
Do you have kayaks available for rent?
Our camp kayak is available for guest use free of charge.
Reservations, Policies, & Payments
Do I have to pay the deposit for my entire group at once?
Yes, we ask that a group leader collects deposits for the entire party and pays them all at once to reserve your stay.
Are gratuities included?
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.
What forms of payment do you accept?
We accept cash, checks, credit cards, and Venmo. For your deposit, checks should be mailed to our summer or winter address accordingly.
Can I add a person to my stay?
Yes, as long as there’s space in your reserved cabin.
What if someone from my group cancels?
Deposits are $300 per person and non-refundable within 30 days of your stay.
Outside of 30 days, deposits are transferable and refundable.
Do children pay full-price?
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.
Can I book last-minute?
Yes, subject to cabin availability, we accept last-minute bookings.
Can I book my trip for the next year during my stay?
Yes, we encourage repeat guests to secure their dates early for the following year.
What time is check-out?
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.
Can rented boats be beached on shore?
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.
Accommodations & Amenities
What should we bring?
Food / Kitchen:
- All food, snacks, and drinks for the duration of your stay
- Paper towels
- Cooler(s)
Personal Items & Clothing:
- Personal Toiletries
- Medications
- Weather-appropriate layers
- Cool-weather gloves and hat
- Sun Protection: Cap, Sunglasses, Sunscreen
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:
- Matches/lighter
- Insect repellent
- Binoculars
- Camera
Can we bring pets?
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.
Are there grills available?
Yes, each cabin has a gas grill, and a community grill is available on the gazebo deck.
Is there an ice machine?
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.
Is there Wi-Fi or cell service?
Yes, there’s Wi-Fi in camp and cell service within a 5-mile range on the lake.
Can I request a specific cabin?
Yes, but requests depend on meeting the cabin’s occupancy requirements.
What’s the occupancy range per cabin?
Cabins accommodate between 2 and 10 people, depending on their size.
Can I request extra beds or cots?
Yes, extra sleeping arrangements can be made upon request, subject to availability.
Are there community appliances?
Yes, there’s a toaster and coffee available in the gazebo starting at 6:30 AM daily.
Can I bring my own appliances like a toaster or deep fryer?
No, our camp runs on solar power and cannot support additional appliances.
Can I bring my CPAP machine?
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.
Food & Supplies
Where can I get groceries?
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.
Do you offer meals plans or provide any food?
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.
Can I drink the water at camp?
Yes, the camp water at camp is safe to drink, but you’re welcome to bring your own.
Is alcohol available for purchase at camp?
Yes, we have a limited selection of alcohol for purchase.
Getting Here
Are you a drive-in, boat-in, or fly-in resort?
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.
Where is the access point?
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).
Is parking available at the access point?
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.
What are the roads like to the camp access point?
The roads are fully paved and in good condition.
Can you visit Canada with a DUI on your record?
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:
- Temporary Resident Permit (TRP)
- A Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) allows individuals to enter Canada for a specific reason and limited period.
- To qualify, you must show a valid reason for entering Canada (such as work, family visits, or events) and demonstrate that your visit poses minimal risk to Canadian society.
- TRPs can be applied for at the Canadian border, but for a better chance of success, applying in advance through a Canadian consulate is recommended.
- TRPs can be valid for up to three years, but are typically issued for the duration of your stay.
- Criminal Rehabilitation
- Criminal Rehabilitation is a permanent solution, making you no longer considered inadmissible to Canada due to a DUI or other offense.
- To be eligible, at least five years must have passed since the completion of your sentence, including fines, probation, or any other penalties.
- This process requires an application to the Canadian government and can take several months to process.
- Once granted, criminal rehabilitation provides lifelong admissibility unless you commit another offense.
- Deemed Rehabilitation (for older offenses)
- In some cases, you may be considered “deemed rehabilitated” if at least ten years have passed since completing your sentence for a single, non-serious DUI offense.
- You must show that you have not reoffended and that your criminal record has been clean since the DUI.
- Deemed rehabilitation generally applies to less severe offenses and does not require a formal application. However, having supporting documents (court records, a police clearance certificate, etc.) is recommended when entering Canada to demonstrate eligibility.
- Legal Advice and Assistance
- Consulting an immigration attorney or expert specializing in Canadian immigration law can help you choose the best approach and increase your chances of successfully entering Canada.
- They can help you gather the necessary documents, complete applications accurately, and represent your case to Canadian authorities if needed.
- Contact information: email: info@bordercrossing.ca website: bordercrossing.ca phone: 204-488-6350
Documents to Prepare for Entry:
- Court documents showing the details of the offense and completion of all sentencing requirements.
- Proof of fines paid, probation completed, and any other penalties fulfilled.
- Additional personal records (such as employment or community involvement) to support your application.
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.