Family Adventure Fishing: Guaranteed Fun
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Sixhour family fishing adventure on Lake Nipigon and Superior watersTarget lake trout, brook trout, and northern pike with provided equipmentOptional traditional shore lunch with freshly caught fish preparation included
Looking for the perfect way to get your family hooked on fishing? Captain Gord's family adventure trips in Northern Ontario deliver exactly what you're hoping for – genuine smiles, bent rods, and stories your kids will tell for years. We're talking about 6 solid hours on some of Canada's most productive waters, where Lake Nipigon meets the mighty Superior and the legendary Nipigon River system. This isn't your typical "hope for the best" charter – it's a carefully crafted day designed to keep everyone from grandpa to the youngest angler engaged and catching fish.
Every family trip starts with a conversation about what you want out of the day. Some families love the high-action lake trout bite, while others get excited about chasing those aggressive northern pike in Black Bay's weedy shallows. Captain Gord tailors each trip to match your crew's energy level and fishing goals. You'll navigate between three distinct fisheries – the deep, cold waters of Lake Nipigon where brook trout grow to legendary sizes, the rocky structure zones of Lake Superior's shoreline, and the productive bays where walleye and pike patrol the drop-offs. The boat comes fully rigged with top-quality gear, so your family just shows up with Ontario licenses and weather-appropriate clothes. Life jackets, tackle, drinks, and all safety equipment are covered, plus Captain Gord handles all the fish cleaning if you decide to keep your catch.
The beauty of this fishery lies in the variety of presentations that work throughout the day. We'll start with downriggers and lead core setups for lake trout in the deeper basins, typically running spoons and body baits at precise depths where the fish are holding. When targeting brook trout, we shift to lighter tackle with spinners and small spoons worked along the rocky structure zones. For families wanting pike action, we move into the shallower bays with spinnerbaits, jerkbaits, and even topwater presentations when conditions are right. Walleye fishing means switching to jigs and live bait rigs worked along the classic structure breaks. Captain Gord handles all the technical adjustments – line counter settings, downrigger depths, and lure selection – while coaching your family on fighting techniques and proper rod handling. The optional shore lunch adds a whole different dimension to the day, with Captain Gord pulling onto scenic wilderness shorelines to cook your fresh catch over an open fire.
Lake trout are the backbone of this fishery, and for good reason. These powerful fighters live in the deep, cold waters year-round and provide consistent action that keeps kids engaged. They hit hard, make strong runs, and grow to impressive sizes – perfect for family photos and building confidence in young anglers. Peak activity happens during the cooler months, but summer fishing remains productive in the deeper zones.
Brook trout fishing here taps into a world-record system that produces some of the most beautiful fish you'll ever see. These native char display brilliant colors and fight with surprising strength for their size. They prefer the rocky shoreline areas and respond well to smaller presentations. Fall brings out their spawning colors, making them absolutely stunning to catch and photograph.
Northern pike in Black Bay offer the excitement factor that gets everyone's adrenaline pumping. These aggressive predators ambush lures with explosive strikes and acrobatic fights that create lasting memories. They're most active during warmer months and provide excellent opportunities for kids to experience that heart-stopping moment when a big pike crashes their lure near the boat.
Walleye represent the dinner table highlight of many trips. These tasty fish school up along structure breaks and provide steady action once you locate them. They're particularly active during low-light periods and offer a different fishing style that teaches patience and finesse. Their excellent table fare makes them a family favorite for shore lunch preparations.
Rainbow trout add another dimension to the mixed-bag potential of these waters. They're known for their aerial displays and strong runs, providing some of the most exciting fights pound-for-pound. Spring and fall offer prime opportunities, with fish often found in transition areas between the deeper basins and shallow feeding zones.
This family adventure delivers exactly what busy parents are looking for – a day where everyone catches fish, learns something new, and disconnects from screens to connect with each other. Captain Gord's attention to safety and his ability to adapt the trip to your family's needs makes this a stress-free experience for parents and a blast for kids. The base rate covers one person for the full 6-hour trip, with additional family members added for just $100 each, accommodating up to 5 guests total. Whether you choose the traditional shore lunch experience or prefer to maximize your fishing time with the included packed lunch, you're guaranteed a day that creates those special family memories that last a lifetime. Contact Captain Gord at gord.nuttall@gmail.com or 587-984-1625 to discuss your family's perfect fishing adventure and secure your dates on these world-class Northern Ontario waters.
Meet "OFFline," Captain Gord's trusty 18-foot Lund Tyee that'll be your floating fishing headquarters on the pristine waters of Northern Ontario. This sturdy aluminum boat packs serious fishing power with a reliable 175HP Verado engine that gets you to the hotspots quickly, then switches to whisper-quiet wireless trolling mode when you're working those productive drop-offs and structure where the big lake trout hang out. The spacious layout comfortably handles 1-2 serious anglers with room to fight fish, or up to 5 guests when the family wants to cruise the spectacular shorelines of Lake Nipigon and Lake Superior. GPS navigation keeps you on the fish while the fish finder reveals what's swimming below – whether you're targeting those feisty brook trout or hunting aggressive northern pike in Black Bay's weedy shallows. Two comfortable bow seats make for perfect viewing when you're exploring the rocky coastlines and historic lighthouses between fishing spots.
Salvelinus FontinalisThese beautiful native char are what make Lake Nipigon famous - this system holds the world record at 14.5 pounds. Most brookies we catch run 12-20 inches, but the possibility of a trophy is always there. They love cold, clean water and hang around rocky drop-offs, creek mouths, and shallow bays in spring and fall. Summer pushes them deeper, around 30-60 feet. Brook trout are aggressive fighters with gorgeous colors - olive backs with yellow spots and those classic red dots ringed in blue. They're excellent eating too. Best tip: when you're working the deeper water in summer, drop your jig right to bottom then lift it just a foot or two. Brookies often grab it on the initial drop.
Salvelinus NamaycushLakers are the backbone of our fishery here, running 20-30 inches on average with plenty of bigger fish around. These deep-water char live in 60-150+ feet most of the year, suspended over rocky structure and along steep drop-offs. Spring right after ice-out is magic when they come shallow to 20-40 feet. Summer pushes them deep again where the water stays cold. Lake trout are strong, steady fighters and excellent eating with firm, light-colored meat. They're also long-lived fish that can reach trophy sizes. Jigging is the name of the game - heavy spoons, tube jigs, or swimbaits bounced near bottom. Here's the trick: when you mark fish on the finder, drop your jig 10-20 feet below them and work it up slowly. Lakers often rise to hit a bait above them.
Esox LuciusPike in Black Bay are pure excitement for families - these aggressive predators average 24-32 inches but can hit 40+ pounds. They're ambush hunters that lurk in shallow, weedy bays and around fallen timber, usually in 5-15 feet of water. Spring through early fall gives you the best action when they're feeding heavily before winter. Kids love pike because they hit hard and fight like crazy, thrashing and jumping when hooked. They're not the best eating, but the experience is what counts. Pike will hit almost anything that moves - spoons, spinners, big jigs. Local tip: when a pike grabs your lure, don't set the hook right away. Let them run with it for a few seconds first, then set hard. They often just mouth the bait initially.
Oncorhynchus MykissRainbows in our system average 16-22 inches and put up one heck of a fight with their famous acrobatic jumps. They prefer cooler water temperatures and strong currents, so you'll find them around river mouths, along shoreline drops, and near tributary inflows. Spring and fall are your best bets when they move shallow to feed. Summer sends them deeper, following the thermocline around 40-80 feet. What makes them special is their aggressive nature and fantastic table fare - that pink flesh is sweet and firm. These fish are smart though, so vary your presentation. My go-to local trick is running small spoons or spinners just off the bottom near creek mouths in the evening. The rainbows seem to stack up there waiting for baitfish.
Sander VitreusBlack Bay on Superior holds some of the best walleye fishing in Northern Ontario. These golden-colored fish typically run 15-24 inches here, with plenty of bigger ones mixed in. You'll find them along rocky structure, drop-offs, and weed edges in 8-25 feet of water. Their big silvery eyes help them feed in low light, so dawn, dusk, and overcast days are prime time. Walleye don't fight as hard as trout, but they make up for it at the dinner table - firm, white, flaky meat that's hard to beat. The key in our waters is fishing slow and staying on bottom. Jigs tipped with minnows work great, but here's a local trick: try a small spoon in gold or silver. The walleye here seem to love them.
Ontario, CA