Frequently Asked Questions
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It depends on where you’re coming from. The most important thing to remember on this drive is to stay on the highway at all times, no matter what Google or your GPS says. The only time you should be on a dirt road is when you drive from Nakina to the airbase.
Traveling from Sault Ste. Marie Border Crossing/ Southern Ontario
Take Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge, Carmen's Way and Second Line E/ON-550 to Trans Canada Highway Hwy/ON-17 N in Sault Ste. Marie.
Follow Trans Canada Highway Hwy/ON-17 N to ON-631 N in White River
Turn left onto Trans Canada Highway Hwy/ON-11 N
Drive through Longlac towards Geraldton
Take Highway 584 north towards Nakina
Traveling from Pigeon River Border Crossing
Highway 61 turns into Highway 17 through Thunder Bay
You will take a left onto Highway 11 after going through Nipigon
Stay on Highway 11 until you reach Geraldton where you will be taking highway 584 into Nakina
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Take Cordingly Lake Road all the way down around the beach and you will see the Leuenberger Air Service airbase. If you’re staying at Pennock’s, take a left from the hotel and follow the signs.
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The main, and only, hotel in Nakina is Pennock’s. It’s located about 5 minutes away from Luenberger Air. We recommend calling Pennock’s as early as possible to ensure that you get a room. Their number is 1-807-329-5265.
You can also get bait from Pennock’s, but it needs to be reserved in advance.
It’s also worth noting that there are no restaurants in Nakina. You’ll either need to bring extra food to eat or pick something up in Geraldton.
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We are increasing the limit in 2025 to 125 pounds per guest (up from 100 pounds per guest). This gives you the freedom to bring a little bit more with you, but still means you have to be selective about what you bring. The increase means you have room for the essentials and some creature comforts, but not the kitchen sink.
We understand that overages are going to happen. Slight overages aren’t going to affect your final bill, but we reserve the right to adjust your bill if the overages are excessive.
To help reduce the overall weight, we can bring beverages , and groceries ahead of time, like always. Contact us as early as possible to ensure we can order everything you need. You’re still welcome to bring your preferred beverages with you, of course, if desired. -
We’ll reach out before your trip to tell you what time you need to be at the airbase on the morning of your flight when you book. As a heads up, it’s usually pretty early, so be ready to get up and go.
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Sufficient food and beverages
Personal gear
Fishing gear, including bait
Fish finder
Sleeping bag or blankets
Flashlight
Towel
Lightweight windproof clothing
Rain gear
Hat
Sunscreen
Bug Spray
Life Jacket, if you prefer your own
Toilet paper and paper towel
Dish Soap
Plastic bags or freezer paper to wrap fish
Cooler to take your fish home
Camera
Passport
Ontario Outdoors Card
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Sufficient food and beverages
Personal gear
Fishing gear, including bait and a net
Fish finder and Battery
Sleeping bag or blankets
Flashlight
Bath Towel, hand towel, facecloth
Hand soap
Lightweight windproof clothing
Rain gear
Hat
Sunscreen
Bug Spray
Life Jacket
Toilet paper and paper towel
Dish towel, dish clothes and dish Soap
Plastic bags or freezer paper to wrap fish
Cooler to take your fish home
Garbage Bags
Camera
Passport
Ontario Outdoors Card
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Fully stocked kitchen including, dishes, pots, frying pans, cutlery, cooking utensils, dish towels and dish cloths
Fitted sheet
Pillow and pillow case
Gas BBQ and outdoor cooker
Boat, motor and gas
Life jackets and cushions
Fishnet
Wifi
24 hour electricity
PLEASE NOTE: Onaman North doesn’t have wifi or 24 hour electricity. It has a solar electricity system for charging phones and lights, but the power doesn’t always last the night. Plan accordingly.
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Onaman Lake (50°00′18″N., 87°26′49″W.) Closed to all species from March 1 to May 31
Northern pike
Limits: Sport - 6 no more than two over 24” and no more than 1 greater than 33”. Conservation - 2 no more than 1 over than 24” centimetres, none over than 33”
Walleye and sauger combined
Season: June 1 to February 28/29
Limits: Sports - 4 and Conservation - 2. No more than 1 over than 18”
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Bait needs to be ordered ahead of time from either Pennocks in Nakina or Leuenbergers at the air base.
Bait choices from Pennocks or Leuenbergers included:
Worms
Live minnows
Salted minnows or leeches work well, be sure to source those in advance, they are not available in Nakina.
The kind of bait you use depends mostly on your preferences. Bring whatever you have the most confidence in.
DO NOT attempt to bring bait across the border.
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You can easily get your fishing license online here: https://www.huntandfishontario.com/Home
We recommend you do this in advance of your trip. It’s still possible to do it in–person, but it’s getting harder to find places that will sell you a license.
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Camp policy is no walleye over 21”. Guests are only allowed to keep one walleye over 18” and this is something that the conversation officers can and do check.
Onaman Lake has some unique fish characteristics. We’re blessed with an outstanding fishery from both a quality and quantity perspective. Our fish can be a little big side, which can make it tricky to meet the slot requirements, but it’s still possible to catch your limit of eaters every day.
It’s not uncommon to spend a day catching 20” to 21” walleye all day and, while we have some in the 28” to 30” range, they’re not as common.
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We often have guests catching northern pike over 40” and eating sized pike can be caught almost daily. We ask that you release all Northern Pike over 30” to help us keep this fishery exciting for everyone.
Most big northerns are caught on warm harnesses or with a jig and worm.
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Download the PDF map here.
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Unfortunately, we do not allow guests to bring pets. There is a camp dog, Artie, who loves your attention.
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No, unfortunately fireworks are not permitted.