There are a lot of remote wilderness camps in Canada. Many have great facilities. Some provide fast action fishing. A few have the potential of trophy fishing. Fewer have on-site staffing to take care of any problems that could interfere with your fishing. And rarely do camps offer the exclusivity and privacy of vast areas of classic Canadian wilderness.
At Wignes Lake Lodge, we put it all together: the excitement of lots of fish coupled with the solid opportunity of catching trophy lake trout & pike. All in a pristine setting with extraordinary privacy: thousands of acres of virtually unfished waters at your doorstep.
Most importantly, Wignes Lake Lodge offers a "no surprises" guarantee. The cabin will be clean. The boats will not leak. The staff will be focused on your questions and concerns. In three words: things will work!
Sometimes customers say it best. Walt Bollinger from Illinois and Loren Barritt from Wyoming have both developed a deep appreciation for the fishing and wilderness qualities of Wignes Lake. Here in their own words are their descriptions of the Wignes Experience:
We have been visiting Saskatchewan and Northwest Territories since 1988, fished both Scott and Wignes Lakes and have done several fly out trips from those locations as well. Even though we have greatly enjoyed our experiences at Scott Lake Lodge and the fishing is fairly comparable, we love Wignes and keep coming back year after year.
We love the remoteness of Wignes and the camaraderie we share in the cozy bunkhouse. Our group of brothers and friends has fished for each of the two basic species found here: northern pike and lake trout. We have used various techniques in doing so, fly-fishing as well as conventional gear. Sometimes for no apparent reason a fish will hit a fly and not a lure and visa-versa, and believe it or not two reasonable people in the same boat can co-exist fly-fishing and spin casting. We also carry two downrigger rods for trolling for when we're feeling lazy. For someone who hasn't been there, the stories that we tell about our fishing up north may sound like fable - we have landed pike in excess of 46 inches and lake trout weighing more than thirty pounds.
Although fishing is our main focus, there is much more to enjoy at camp. Wildlife encounters are frequent, including black bear, eagles, moose, and on one rare occasion, a wolf. We have explored the far reaches of the lake and made discoveries such as an ancient trapper's cabin, feeling a little like the Hardy boys as we carefully investigated the property. One afternoon we were trolling and watching our frequent visitors, the loons. I observed one dive and as I looked down into the water he swam directly under the boat about three feet under the water surface. What a startling and beautiful sight, and one I'll always remember.
Walt Bollinger, IL
Wignes Lake is a fisherman's paradise, or simply put, paradise. Wignes "the lake" is awe inspiring with its deep holes, rocky shores, sand eskers, shallows, and unsurpassed beauty at every angle on the horizon. A person cannot begin to put into words what it is like to have 60,000 acres of the Northwest Territories all to yourself as you boat out in search of that perfect spot. The lake itself is rather deceiving at first glance. It looks to be just a large body of water, but upon study of the map and actual exploration, you soon realize that you have set out on a true adventure. The lake contains great structure and lends many opportunities for exploring. At times, you find yourself just sitting, thinking how in the world is it possible to go from 20 feet of water to 120 feet in a couble of boat lengths. You often wonder if the bottom of the lake is shaped like your surroundings. You might even consider how it is that the Loon you are listening to came to be in a place like this. If you are fortunate enough to visit Wignes, take time to appreciate its structure and scenery. It will leave you speechless.
Wignes "the camp" in its own way is a home away from home in that it seems like you could easily stay there forever. The facilities are very nice. I've been to several outposts in Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories and the accommodations and equipment at Wignes are second to none. The really great thing about Wignes is that you are able to keep your own schedule. You are able to pick your meal times, plan your own days etc. Speaking of eating, I don't think you will find a more enjoyable activity in camp than sitting down for a nice hot meal be it before, during or after a long day of fishing. The meals are done on a grand scale. What a joy to sit down family style and discuss the day's successes while you reach that point when you lean back in your chair and have to just say WHOA!! Don't forget to take full advantage of the shore lunches. There's nothing better than that morning's catch over an open fire. It just seems to taste a little better that way. While not in camp you are of course in a boat, and the boats at Wignes are perfect for the occasion. They are very clean and in excellent shape with pedestal seating, flat bottoms, four stroke Honda motors, and perfectly tuned depth finders. In a sense it's your own luxury sedan north of the 60th parallel.
Wignes "the fishing" how do you put it into words? The fishing at Wignes is whatever you want it to be. It can be fast, very fast, even overwhelming at times. If you have ever jigged for lake trout in 100 feet of water you know how thrilling it can be. If you haven't done it you need to try it. It is classical live wire fishing. Hit bottom.turn the crank and BOOM! The thumping power of a lake trout will make you wonder what planet you're on sometimes. As I said though, the fishing at Wignes is what you want it to be. If you like trolling, casting, or fly fishing, the opportunity is yours for the taking. Our group of eight (ages 30 to 82 years old) landed too many fish to count. Large numbers of lake trout and northern were caught as well as several trophies. In fact, there is a 41" x 22" laker still in Wignes that I hope to be speaking with again next year upon my return.
Wignes "the experience" is something that you can truly cherish. From the moment you arrive in Saskatoon to the moment you wave goodbye, you will know you are doing something truly extraordinary. It may be the fishing that lures you to Wignes for the first time but it is the whole experience that will bring you back: the solitude, the sunsets, the clear water, the clear air, the food, friendship, service, and the simple fact that you are miles away from the hustle and bustle, and oh yes let's not forget about the fishing. Wignes Lake, simply put, is paradise.
Loren Barritt, WY
