Tel: 705-857-2757

 Email: bearsdenfishing@gmail.com

  • Three Quick Tips for Spring Walleye

    img Spring walleye fishing in Canada is bountiful and a great start to any angler’s fresh fishing season.   Although there’s much more about walleye fishing than this brief tips and tricks guide, the following information is bound to give you a great spring start. You should, however, consider visiting a walleye fishing hot-spot in Canada (such as Bear’s Den Lodge) to get the best fishing experience! One of the many French River walleyes to be found during spring. Tip #1 – Tools of the Trade: In order to begin walleye fishing a recommended tool is obviously a fishing rod, but what rod should you use? At Bear’s Den Lodge we recommend that many of our guests fishing the French River should bring a fast to moderate action rod in graphite or carbon for jigging. A shorter and faster action rod (generally 5.5 – 6 ft rod though varies per person) is preferable fo

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  • Picky Pickerel

    img In early spring, right after ice has thawed, walleye will spawn shortly after.   The next ten days from pickerel spawn, they become rather lethargic - not wanting to go very far from their spawning beds and put in little effort to catch bait fish.  By two weeks, they return to normal schooling patterns and continue through the French River System.   After returning to their normal patterns, the walleye will search through the waters for the recent perch spawn, shiners and other bait fish during their spawn. Sometimes, they will even go out of their way to target bass spawning beds since largemouth and smallmouth bass spawn later in the season. A good fisherman or fisherwoman would be wise to bring a selection of lures to mimic the local prey. Even better is the use of minnows for the picky pickerel.   Article by Joe Barefoot, M.B.

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  • Travel Tips and Vacation Safety

    img Friends and family vacations can be adventurous, exciting, and memorable when planning for a successful safe French River wilderness adventure. This may be that once in a lifetime dream holiday and Bear’s Den Lodge wants to see that everyone remains safe. BEFORE YOU PACK TO LEAVE Planning a safe travel trip is important for you and your group or family. Several important factors to consider whether you are traveling within Ontario, Canada or from abroad: Please check your health insurance policies and make sure your covered while visiting abroad and have the appropriate medical insurance numbers to contact. Simple over the counter medications may make your stay more pleasant if you are prepared during your travel and may include antacids, antihistamines, cough drops for that nagging cough, Tylenol/Ibuprofen or other pain relief for finding those muscles or occasional

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  • How to Personalize Your Stay

    img Where do I start? There are so many options and choices for those who wish to travel and select a "plan" or "package" for your stay in Northern Ontario. It becomes very confusing when seeing different terminology going as far back as even the 1940s still in use.  Some younger generations may see terms like 'European' or 'American' Plans and think well I'm a Canadian, Chinese, German, or any other country they are traveling from and ask, "where's my plan?". [caption id="attachment_2266" align="aligncenter" width="300"] French River Shore Lunch[/caption] American Plan vs Housekeeping A good way to plan for your Great Canadian escape is to ask yourself what you and your friends or family want to experience? Do you wish to have no restraints on the time you can go out fishing and exploring the Ontario Park or would your rather not worry on having to prepare your own meals? [capti

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  • Ten Days, Ten-Thousand Casts Fishing for French River Musky

    img “Most of the world is covered by water. A fisherman’s job is simple: Pick out the best parts.” – Charles W. Waterman   It’s a passion that etches itself into an individual’s spirit. Each cast is like a painter’s brushstroke in the canvas of the soul where nature is the setting and the passion for the sport are the various colors that breathes life into the angler’s work.  Every scratch on the lure, frayed line, and even every reel that lost its crank are all part of the sport we call musky fishing.   Musky fishing is not something for the faint of heart as it takes time and dedication to find those “best” spots, earning one of its various nicknames’ “the fish of ten-thousand casts”. Chris Burnette and Harry Haddix, returned to Bear’s Den Lodge because of their successful previous outings fishing the French River, Ontario.   [caption id="at

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  • Spring Pike Fishing

    img As every fishing enthusiast can tell you, every fish is a predator. Northern Pike are no exception to this rule as their primeval morphology has not drastically changed over the 60 million years. Their sharp needle like teeth, vacant eyes, thick sticky slime and serpentine shape has them suited to be one of the most dominate freshwater predators to take reign in the freshwaters of the Northern Hemisphere. While there are several species of Pike in the Nearctic and Palearctic realms the most common in Ontario is the Northern Pike (Esox lucius). They reside in places like the French River where aquatic life and wildlife are abundant and have little in the way of natural predators for Northern Pike. Because of this, they are very populace and average around 4 -10 lbs (1.8 - 4.5 kg) but are considered a trophy when over 20 lbs (9 kg). Prime times for fishing Northern Pike on the F

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  • Fall Water Safety

    img From swimming to fishing, every year Canadians and tourists alike experience the abundance of aquatic activities through thousands of different waterfronts. Of those who experience and explore these wonderful activities to reconnect ourselves with nature, there is always a need to stay smart and stay safe. Because of our countless opportunities to be in, around, or even on the water; tragically there are hundreds of Canadians who drown each year according to the Canadian Red Cross and the Lifesaving Society. For those who know me, would understand why I have decided to write this short article. I have had my own experience with near drowning, but what caused me to speak out about these sometimes avoidable accidents was a news article of a 69-year old local man who unfortunately passed away on October, 15th 2016. While I never knew this man, I can empathize for his family. Below, I hav

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  • French River Produces a Musky a Day

    img Returning to the French River Bill and Nancy Hamblin talk to the lodge owners, Art & Brenda Barefoot, before the hunt for the elusive French River Muskie. The weather conditions for the day were spotty with high winds and choppy waters but no musky can be caught without putting effort into it. In their search for the massive monster, Bill trolls his chartreuse bladed black bucktail and bam, the fight begins! Within the first two hours after to their arrival to the Bear's Den Lodge Bill hooked into an impressive 45.5 inch Musky, creating the first of another successful muskie hunt. [caption id="attachment_1465" align="aligncenter" width="578"] Bill's first day French River Fishing , an impressive 45.5 inch Musky[/caption] On day two, just after breakfast at the Lodge, Bill and Nancy went searching for another French River Musky. Once again after several hours of dedication in flaili

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  • Fishing for Walleye in the French River!

    img Walleyes (a.k.a. Pickerel) are known to be a finicky fish. Some anglers describe walleye feeding habits as something of a constant “tap-tap” feeling or a bump, but there are occasions when they are less weary and strike out of instinct; sometimes greedily as they pursue lures ment for large Pike and Musky. While those instances are not unheard of, especially during the early spring and fall months, more often than naught walleye have to be tempted and teased using live bait presentations which account for the vast majority caught. Walleyes, like perch, are a schooling fish and cluster around structural elements like rock humps, inside turns, breakline transitions, shoals, sunken logs, fallen trees, and docks on the French River Delta. Depending on the time of the season, they will migrate and follow schools of baitfish while other times they will lay in wait near different bottlene

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  • Spring Peaks & Zika Seeks

    img Are you planning for a camping trip this year? Already shopping at your favourite retailers and outdoor suppliers? Are you prepared? Something that I’m sure has been bothering many, or at least gaining interest, is the rising concern for the Zika Virus. We have been hearing about it on TV, in newspapers, and even the various social networks. Various media outlets are bringing to light different advisory warnings for those traveling to countries with the outbreaks. While various regions all over the world are still in their winter seasons the virus will have a harder time spreading until spring peaks with the mosquito population. Do not fret! This short article will detail import things you should know about the virus and ways you can stay healthy in the great outdoors! The most common way to contract the virus is from mosquito bites. According to the Centers for Disease Co

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Fishing the French River contains many hidden surprises for avid anglers. Many of us have our interests from the baits we cast to the fish species we prefer to catch. But it's always good to remember

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Ready for the spring fling? Many seasoned fishermen are currently relining their reels and sharpening their hooks for the anticipation of the Walleye Opener for May 20th (3rd Saturday of May) o

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French River History: reveals early explorers were looking for a shorter route to the West. Hence, the French River was the main "Water Highway to the West in Canada, from 1600 to the mid 1800’s."

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"Ever since I was a young boy I always had fond memories heading north and fishing with my brother in Ontario," says Art Barefoot (Co-Owner of Bear's Den Lodge). "From the people, the sights, and even

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Have you ever wondered what birds see? Imagining yourself flying over any obstacle and taking in the vastness that is the open skies? We always look for ways to immerse ourselves, to reconnect with

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Bear's Den Lodge

Hartley Bay, R.R. 2, Site 3, Box 10
Alban, Ont. P0M 1A0
Tel: (705) 857-2757

Winter Address

124 Shagbark Rd.
Alum Bank, PA 15521
Tel: (814) 839-2443

Contact Email

bearsdenfishing@gmail.com

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YOUR Canadian COTTAGE FOR YOUR NEXT GETAWAY! French River Cottages available May, 2018 - 0ctober 2018. 3 day minimum charge per person applies. Prevailing rates available for shorter stays. Less than 3 days have added charges and are available. Make memories with family and friends on the French River, arrive as guests and leave as family!

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Your hosts, Art & Brenda Barefoot

Bear's Den Lodge

2870J Hartley Bay Rd.
Alban, Ont. P0M 1A0
Tel: (705) 857-2757

Winter Address:

124 Shagbark Rd.
Alum Bank, PA 15521
Tel: (814) 839-2443

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