“These lakes support world-class fisheries. At Kesagami, we are serious about maintaining their quality.”
A trophy fish is simply too valuable a fish to be caught just once, killed for taxidermy or, heaven forbid, eaten. Kesagami has incredible amounts of great-eating, 14 to 16 inch walleyes for anglers who enjoy a shore lunch. Putting a trophy fish back strengthens both the trophy population and the gene pool. Big fish – those with the proven ability to survive and grow large – propagate more trophy fish and more exciting angling experiences.
Because of the sub-Arctic climate and a very short growing year, the trophy fish of Kesagami Lake take an inordinate amount of time to attain such proportions. A trophy Kesagami pike may be 30 to 40 years of age, a typical shore-lunch walleye ten years.
For our conservation efforts to be truly successful, we depend on guests to demonstrate consideration and concern for the fishery, including the careful handling of all fish, selective harvest, and conscientious catch & release practices.
Northern Pike
Each season, Kesagami anglers catch and release a number of monster northern pike. In the last few years two magnificent 54″ fish have been caught which would have set new Canadian release records had the measurements and suitable photos been submitted. Both fish were photographed and witnessed but both anglers, not wanting to stress and harm these fragile fish, choose to quickly release them and not put them through the rigors of girth and length measurements which can often lead to the death of the fish.
Hundreds of trophy pike (36″ and larger) are released each season. As a result, the average size of fish caught, has continuously increased each season since our conservation policies have been in effect. The result ? A healthier fishery and even better fishing !
Walleye
As a result of a Ministry of Natural Resources study (1995), the management of Kesagami Wilderness Lodge and the Ontario MNR are making changes to their fishing policies. All walleyes over 16″ must be released and no fish are to be taken home. However, shore lunches are considered to be an traditional part of the Kesagami experience and remain integral to any remote fishing experience. The maximum allowable size for walleye kept for shore lunch will be 16 inches (1.5 pounds).
- All pike must be released.
- 1 or 2 walleyes (up to 16″) for shore lunch.
- No fish transported home.
- No live bait may be used.
- Single, barbless hook only.
- Medium-heavy rods with 17+ lb-test line.
- Long nose pliers/hook removers.
- Sidecutters.
- No jaw spreaders/gags.
- No landing nets.
Kesagami Wilderness Lodge will provide, free of charge, split rings and barbless hooks to enable guests to replace treble hooks on lures at the beginning and throughout their trip.
- Play fish to the boat as quickly as possible.
- Cradle all big fish.
- Keep fish in the water while unhooking.
- No fish in the boat except shore lunch walleyes.
- Photograph fish over the water only.
- Resuscitate fish completely before release.