Preparing for fishing and hunting this autumn

Reeti Meenakshi Rohilla - Staff Writer

As the nights get cooler, the days get shorter and the leaves change color, it is also time to make some considerations to your hunting and fishing routines. Hunting is a season-specific activity. It is important for the people who are planning fall hunting or fishing, to be aware of the different species that can be hunted at specific times of the year. The Executive Director at Northwestern Ontario Travel Association Inc., Gerry Cariou, said, “Both, hunting and fishing opportunities are exceptional all year round in the area around Sioux Lookout. Hunting is very seasonal and strictly regulated.”
The owner of Slate Falls Outposts, Ryan Runge, said, “Always prepare for any type of weather. If you’re going for a day, bring extra stuff like matches and all that kind of stuff to prepare to spend the night if you had to. Know where you’re going, carry maps, and some type of communication device that works off the grid. Safety precautions are huge, do some research ahead of time.”
Cariou said that ice fishing is a popular activity in the winter, and that there is excellent fishing for all species, especially walleye, and beginning in January, lake trout. While some lodges remain open and operating during the winter months, most do not.
The manager at Anderson’s Lodge, Meredith Culham, said hiring a guide can be a great idea, especially if you’re coming from somewhere else and are not familiar with the waters up here.
She explained, “Most of our guides are seasoned and they know the water. They know where the fish might be. That way you’re getting a bigger bank on your buck. It’s a little overwhelming if you don’t know the area that well.” Culham added that people may consider taking a guide for a day, and if they feel confident, they may venture alone the next day. The Owner of Winoga Lodge, Troy Mansfield said, “Our waterways are vast and have many hazards. Hiring a guide also is good for safety concerns when out… learn a waterway from a guide so you do not damage your motor by hitting a reef or hazard.”
Mansfield suggested that while booking a hunting or fishing trip, it is a good idea to make a thorough list of questions to ask your guide or outfitter. “With so many great lodges in our regions, we have lots of options. Good questions will help you book a trip of a lifetime with no surprises or hiccups in the trip.”