Experience Peace and Exhilaration at Northern Alberta’s Fly-in Fishing Lodges

Gypsy Lake Lodge

Cutting through the clouds, gliding over mixed hues of blues and greens, you spot the wide-open Gypsy Lake below. As the nose of your float plane dips towards the water, signaling its descent, butterflies begin stirring in your stomach. The only way to access some of the best fishing on the planet is this way – via float plane. Despite the accessibility, not many people access this pristine region. You're one of the lucky ones.

The minute water sprays past your passenger window, you'll know you've successfully landed in front of  Gypsy Lake Lodge. Peering through the window, you're apt to see the welcoming faces of lodge owners Nick and Chandie as they tie the plane to the dock. Once the waves settle and airplane's gentle rocking subsides, there's nothing between you and thousands of pike.

Only an exhilarating 15-minute flight from  Fort McMurray in northern Alberta, Gypsy Lake Lodge is more accessible than most people realize. But it's not just this well-equipped lodge that's in play. A network of hidden gems dot the province's northern lake country, creating unforgettable experiences for those who love the outdoors.

After your flight, take a minute to soak in the stillness, feeling the buzz of the city fade away. You might notice how the lawn is trimmed with care. Fishing boats are parked neatly on the shore. Best of all, several fishing rods resting nearby are waiting for the first line to be cast.

There's no need to wait. Go ahead and get your lines in the water as soon as you step off the plane. No matter how much fishing you’ve done in your life, you'll probably be surprised at how quickly the fish bite up here. We're talking seconds. Almost as quickly, Nick's guiding skills will jump into action. While anybody could probably catch a fish here, getting it off the hook and onto the plate is a different story. It's much easier with the help of a professional, that's for sure.

As you get settled with your rod or camera, your hosts will surely haul in a few more northern pike. That's lunch. Within minutes, these fresh fish will be expertly filleted at the cleaning station on the dock and cooked to perfection. Want to hook in a new skill? Ask Chandie about what's pickable in the region. And as a master hostess, she can guide you down a sunlit trail to forage for mushrooms, Labrador tea or high bush cranberries.

Lloyd Lake Lodge

Another nearby fishing lodge worth dropping anchor at is  Lloyd Lake Lodge. This is where you'll meet fishing guide Lawrence. Hailing from a neighbouring community, he's been humbly sharing his Indigenous knowledge with guests for over 45 years. Lawrence has worked on this lake so long, he once guided lodge owners Derek and Desi, who visited as children. It's hard not to immediately feel you're part of this community, especially after receiving the welcome Derek and Desi dole out.

Lawrence is one of those guides worth paying reverence to. When he says cast, you cast. When your guide says tug, you tug. Together, you'll operate as a seamless fishing operation. Lawrence’s knowledge, patience and guidance will no doubt make you feel like you've been on the pro angling circuit for years.

Want to head out on your own? You'll only need to be fitted out with safety gear and shown how to start the boats. In no time at all, you'll be off on your own adventure across the water as the sun gently melts towards the horizon. Relish the solitude. You just might be the only boat on the water at that moment. After landing more fish, the sun's glow will soften, signaling time to turn back to shore.

There's nothing better than sharing drinks and fishing tales around the campfire after a home-cooked feast. As much as you might want to slink off to your bunk cabin, give it a beat. Northern Alberta is where the northern lights come out to play. Even if the shimmering green hues of the aurora don't make an appearance, you'll still be in for a show. Alberta's dark skies make for some incredible star gazing. Best to hunker around the fire pit and reel in a few more tales as you wait for the dark sky to reveal its magic.