Fly-In Fishing in Ontario

Fishing

Seven remote outpost camps and trophy lake destinations deep in the James Bay Frontier.
Each lake fished exclusively by one group per season, from 50 to 400 miles into Ontario’s true north.

Years of fly-in service

0 +

Remote destinations

Target species

Group per lake, per season

The Real North of Ontario

Hearst Air Service has been flying anglers into the remote wilderness north of Hearst, Ontario for over 50 years. From the float plane base on Carey Lake, guests fly north between 50 and 400 miles into the James Bay Frontier and Hudson Bay Lowlands, reaching pristine lakes and rivers that have no road access whatsoever.

This is Do-It-Yourself outpost fishing at its most authentic. You arrive at a fully equipped, rustic wilderness cabin and have the entire lake to yourself for the week. No guides, no schedules, no other boats on the water. Just your group, your gear, and some of the most productive fishing water in Northern Ontario.

Every camp is fished by only one group per season. The water is as close to untouched as it gets.

Hearst Air offers multiple trip tiers to suit different goals and budgets. Northern Outpost Camps provide excellent walleye and pike fishing at accessible prices. Trophy Lakes reach deeper into the wilderness for anglers chasing genuinely big fish. The Sutton River offers a world-class brook trout float experience in a category of its own.

What Makes Fly-In Fishing Different

Road-accessible fishing lakes near major population centres face consistent angling pressure.
Hearst Air puts you somewhere genuinely different.

Exclusive Lake Access

Each outpost camp is booked by a single group at a time. No other anglers share your lake for the duration of your stay. No boats on the horizon, no competition at the good spots.

True Wilderness Access

These lakes have no road access. The only way in or out is by float plane from the Carey Lake base. The fishing pressure these lakes see annually is a small fraction of any road-accessible lake.

Exceptional Fish Populations

Low pressure and clean, cold northern water means healthy, abundant fish. Hillmer Lake is known to produce multiple daily walleye limits. Napken Lake offers 28 miles of trophy pike shoreline.

Comfortable Rustic Cabins

Every camp is equipped with a propane fridge, stove with oven, lanterns, a wood stove for heat, an outdoor BBQ, a fish fryer, and a boat with motor and gas. You bring the food and fishing gear.

Groups of 2 to 10

Most cabins accommodate 4 to 10 guests, with pricing that scales by group size. The more people in your group, the lower the per-person cost. Father-son trips, annual friend groups, and family reunions all work perfectly.

50 Years of Experience

Hearst Air has been flying guests into the same wilderness for over five decades. They know which lake suits which type of angler, what the fish are doing in any given week, and how to get you where you need to go safely.

Choose Your Trip

Northern Pike

Perch

Martison Lake

Martison Lake rounds out the five Northern Outpost Camps. Like all camps in this tier, it offers exclusive access to a productive northern Ontario lake, a fully equipped rustic cabin, and boats with motor and gas included. Contact Hearst Air to discuss what makes Martison the right fit for your group.

Northern Trophy Lakes

100 to 160 Miles

Five lake destinations 50 to 65 miles from Carey Lake. Excellent walleye, northern pike, and perch. The best value tier for groups and families.

Walleye

Trophy Northern Pike

Quantz Lake

Quantz Lake sits 115 miles north of the Carey Lake base, offering 13 miles of trophy pike shoreline. The lake is ideal for groups of 6 to 8 and comes with 16-foot boats. Big northern pike in the shallows are the main draw, alongside solid walleye throughout the season. One cabin, one group, one season.

Walleye

Trophy Northern Pike

Napken Lake

Distance: 159 miles from base
Shoreline: 28 miles of rugged shoreline
Capacity: 6 to 8 anglers (minimum of 4)
Best For Trophy: northern pike, big walleye
Structure: Dynamic, varied, supports large fish

At 159 miles from base and 28 miles of dynamic, varied shoreline, Napken Lake is Hearst Air’s most remote outpost camp. The lake structure supports outstanding trophy northern pike and big walleye. Anglers who make the extra distance consistently report this as their best pike fishing experience in Ontario.

River Adventures

200+ Miles

Two river destinations for anglers seeking something beyond a lake-based outpost trip. World-class brook trout on the Sutton and trophy pike on the Attawapiskat.

Walleye

Trophy Northern Pike

Sutton River Brook Trout

Trip Type: Multi-day float trip or base camp
Duration: 7 to 10 days (length does not affect cost)
Capacity: 2, 4, or 6 people
Season: Late July through early September
Park Polar: Bear Provincial Park, Hudson Bay Lowlands

The Sutton River is world-renowned for trophy brook trout, both native and sea-run, and is a once-in-a-lifetime fishing experience. Guests fly from Carey Lake to Hawley Lake, then paddle approximately 75 miles of clear, mild river through Polar Bear Provincial Park. It is not uncommon to land close to 100 fish in a single day, with 3 to 5-pound brook trout on fly rods the norm. All camps are paddled on single barbless hooks. Shotgun permits are provided for the possibility of encountering polar bears in the park. Float trip pricing is $6,250 per person. Base camp guided options at Hawley Lake are also available through Albert Chookomolin’s Fish Camps.

Walleye

Trophy Northern Pike

Attawapiskat River

The Attawapiskat River, 200 miles from the Carey Lake base, delivers Hearst Air’s most extreme trophy pike fishing. Camps are positioned at Pym Island and adjacent lakes near the James Bay Frontier, accessing some of the most remote and productive trophy northern pike and walleye water Ontario has to offer. Hearst Air has been flying to the Attawapiskat River for over 30 years. Contact the team directly for current season availability and trip configuration options.

What You Will Catch

Northern Ontario waters hold four main game fish species at Hearst Air camps.
The species available at each camp depends on the lake and its position in the watershed.

Northern Pike

Aggressive, powerful, and widely distributed. The Northern Outpost Camps produce pike of 3 to 14 pounds season after season. The Trophy Lakes and Attawapiskat River are the destinations for fish well over this.

All camps

Walleye

The most sought-after table fish in Northern Ontario. Hearst Air lakes produce consistent walleye fishing, with Hillmer Lake in particular known as a high-numbers lake for 2 to 4-pound walleye.

Northern Outpost Camps, Trophy Lakes

Brook Trout

Native and sea-run speckle trout on the Sutton River. Fish averaging 3 to 5 pounds on fly rods, with the very real possibility of a 100-fish day in clear, pebble-bottomed water that lets you see every strike.

Sutton River only

Yellow Perch

Present at the Northern Outpost Camp lakes, yellow perch provide non-stop action for younger anglers and make excellent eating. A perfect species for beginners in the group alongside more experienced pike and walleye fishers.

Northern Outpost Camps

What Is Included in Every Trip

Hearst Air camps operate on a self-catered outpost model. The essentials are
provided at camp. You bring your food, fishing gear, and personal items.

At Every Outpost Camp

Return flights from Carey Lake base
Propane fridge, stove with full oven
Pots, pans, and all eating and cooking utensils
Coleman lanterns with mantles and fuel
Wood stove for cabin heat (split firewood supplied)
Outdoor propane BBQ (propane included)
Outdoor propane fish fryer
Boat, motor, and gas for your stay
Life jackets, paddles, bailer, boat seats, and anchor
Ice crusher for beer cans, large water pails

What You Bring

All food and beverages
Fishing rods, reels, tackle, and nets
Sleeping bag and pillow
Toiletries and personal clothing
Fishing licence (available online or at Typer's Bait and Tackle in Hearst)
Bait purchased in Hearst before departure (keep receipts)
First aid kit, insect repellent, sunscreen
Polarized sunglasses, rain gear, layered clothing

Weight Limit

Each person is allowed a combined body weight and gear total of 320 lbs per flight. Plan your packing carefully. Groups of 4 average 1,280 lbs total capacity. Excess weight is subject to additional charter rates.

How a Hearst Air Trip Works

From booking to landing on your lake, the process is straightforward.
Most groups drive up the night before and fly out first thing in the morning.

Pricing Overview

All prices are in Canadian funds and are per person. HST of 13% is not included.
Children 12 and under travel at 50% of the adult rate when accompanied by at least two adults.

Destination	Distance	Trip Type	7-Day Rate (per person)	Half-Week Rate (per person)	Min. Group
Northern Outpost Camps (group of 6)	50 to 65 miles	Sat to Sat	From $1,050 CAD	From $840 CAD	2
Northern Outpost Camps (group of 4)	50 to 65 miles	Sat to Sat	From $1,125 CAD	From $890 CAD	4
Quantz Lake (group of 6)	115 miles	Fri to Fri	$1,530 CAD	$1,125 CAD	4
Napken Lake (group of 6)	159 miles	Fri to Fri	$1,795 CAD	$1,300 CAD	4
Sutton River Float Trip	200+ miles	7 to 10 days	$6,250 CAD	Not applicable	2

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to the questions most guests ask before booking their first fly-in trip.

What experience do I need for a fly-in outpost trip?

14’ aluminum boats with 9.9 hsp 4 stroke engines (Hillmer, Wanzatika,Mcleister, Martison, Sunshine)
16’ aluminum boats with 9.9 hsp 4 stroke engines (Quantz, Napken)

What type of motor?

Engines are 4 stroke 9.9 hsp Mercury and Yamaha engines.

Do we bring our lifejackets?

Yes you provide your own lifejacket to ensure you have the right size for your safety.

Any generators?

There are no gas generators at the camps. If you use a cpap machine, best you bring your own and gas for the generator usage. We do have Jackery solar generators set up at certain camps, by the end of 2026 all cams will be set up with the small solar generator for lights in the cabins. It is big enough to charge your cell phones as well, but not for cpap machines.

What’s the best bait to use?

Live bait is great for walleye fishing. Minnows, worms, leaches work great. Remember than worms will keep longer than minnows. Live bait regulations are strict to ensure fishermen use the bait that is from the same area as you are fishing. Your bait can be purchased in Hearst at Typers Live Bait Typer’s Outdoors | Hearst ON | Facebook705-362-4828, info@typersoutdoors.com and make sure you always have the receipt from the bait shop to show the conservation officers should they fly in and check up on you during your trip.
Tackle list

Payment methods?

Here are your payment methods 😊

credit cards (U.S. customers are best to call their cc companies to advise they will be making a Canadian transaction BEFORE you call the office to make a payment)

certified checks/bank drafts

E-transfers : send to mel@hearstair.com always include info in Notes section of your etransfer.

= Example: Joe Smith Group deposit June 10-17 Walleye lake.

This is very important. Do NOT send an e-transfer without this information

What’s the best container for packing gear?

Medium sized cardboard boxes are great. You can tape them, identify them properly and burn the ones you don’t need to bring back.
Medium sized waterproof duffel bags. If you limit yourself to one bag per person, then you will not be tempted to fill a hockey bag full of too much gear.

Important to think of making sure everything fits in the plane. It’s not a cube van. We need to fill float compartments, rounded corners, nooks and crannies. It’s hard enough to meet weight limits, you would be quite upset to not get all your gear within limits only because your containers are too big.

Plastic totes are NOT always the best as they are too big (heavy) and they waste space in the aircraft as they are not square. 1 or 2 totes per group is ok.
NO hockey bags
NO extra large coolers
NO large bazooka cases for multiple long rods.

How much do we pay if we have too much gear?

Extra weight is subject to an additional flight. There is no charge per pound, you will be charged the flight needed to bring the excess weight. $1200 – $4400 / flight depending on how far your outpost is.

What type of plane will we fly in?

We operate a Dehavilland Beaver (4 seater) and Turbo beaver (6 seater).

Will the group fly together in the same plane?

We try to keep all the groups together with their gear, but scheduling will depend on the availability of aircraft and the efficiency of getting people in and out.

Do cell phones work at the lake? Is there a way we can communicate?

The new cell phones that have satellite service will allow you to text.
You can rent a ZOLEO satellite device for $100 for the week. This will pair with your cell phone and allow to text in case of emergencies. Make sure you make prior arrangements for the ZOLEO to make sure it’s available when you arrive.

Do we have to clean the camp before we leave?

Yes you have the responsibility of cleaning the cabin before you leave. Fridge, floor, stove, bbq, boats. All garbage is flown out also. Even if you still have good food in the fridge, please consider that the next group need space for their choice in food and should not be responsible for your garbage. We all love a clean cabin when we arrive and we can strive to have it even cleaner when we leave.

Do we bring our own linens? Sleeping bags and pillows?

There are no linens at camp, you need to bring your own sleeping bag and pillow. When packing, compress your sleeping bag with your pillow included, this will help save space in the aircraft.

How far from town is the air base where we leave for our trip?

We are located 16 miles west of Hearst on hwy 11. Click here.

Is there a refrigerator ?

Yes, each cabin has 1 propane refrigerator. Consider non-perishable foods to not overload the fridge. Remember it is a camp propane fridge and if it’s filled, it will stop. If people come in and out often opening the door, it will warm up very quickly.

Where can we get a fishing licence?

Fishing licences are available online. Click here.

Ready to Plan Your Fly-In Trip?

Contact Hearst Air Service to check availability, ask questions about any camp, or get help choosing the right destination for your group.