Summarized Review Highlights
Guests rate Leuenberger Air very highly. Nearly every review gives 4 or 5 stars, and many come from repeat customers. One family has fished with them for over 40 years across three generations; another reviewer first visited Kag Lake at age 13 and has returned for 33 years; while others have been going for nearly 30 years. The operation, based in Nakina, Ontario, is described as friendly, well organized, and safe. Reviewers mention a welcoming air base, dock hands who load planes efficiently, and a turbo Otter fleet. Several say the value is hard to beat, and most plan to return.
The fishing gets the most praise. Walleye numbers are the main draw: reviewers report dozens to hundreds of fish per day, 100-walleye days, and one group of eight that landed 2,054 walleye in a week at Percy Lake. Walleye over 30 inches, pike over 40 inches, and brook trout are also mentioned. Lake trout of 14 and 17 pounds were caught on Kag, and perch, whitefish, and pike fishing are also praised. Guests like the range of options offered. Kag Lake Lodge is on a large lake of over 20,000 acres, and the 12 outposts include a variety small to mid-sized lakes and river systems with some variation in target species. Outpost cabins are described as cozy, clean, and homey, with running water, a wood stove, and a gas grill. One group noted that the bathroom was not at the level of home comforts. At Kag Lake Lodge, guests describe spacious cabins with linens, hot showers, and an indoor toilet. They also mention attentive staff, a Tuesday fish fry for all guests, and 6 am coffee delivered to the cabin. One guest called the food the best part of the week. The housekeeping plan is appreciated as a budget option at a full lodge. Guests also mention moose and duck hunting trips, and one group brought kayaks and said the outfitter accommodated them.
Complaints are minor. Kag Lake's boats (16 ft with 15 HP motors) are called decent or fine, but one guest said they were not the best he had used at a lodge. The run to the south-end pike weed beds takes about half an hour, and one reviewer noted the flight to Kag is longer. Fishing can slow on bluebird, windless days, and a few guests noted that Kag's biggest walleye come in lower numbers, with fish typically around 18 to 20 inches and a top fish of about 25. One reviewer recalled Elbow Lake as having plenty of fish but fewer large ones, though that was about 30 years ago. The outposts are best suited to anglers who enjoy a remote, rustic setting, and Kag Lake Lodge to those who want full-service comfort. The destination suits first-time fly-in anglers, groups of friends, and families. It also suits walleye and pike anglers who want high catch numbers, anglers who want to try trophy lake trout and brook trout, and mixed fishing and hunting groups.
Summary generated Oct 13, 2026
Read all 17 reviews
SmokestackLightnin
Nov 6, 2023
Forum
Information on Elbow lake out of Leuenberger air.
Fished Elbow Lake with Leuenbergers about 30 years ago. It's a small lake, so finding fish was no problem. The fish weren't big, but there were lots under 4 pounds.
This lodge
Quoting his earlier post: he has flown with Leuenberger's from Nakina and personally recommends Muskrat, Elbow and Kapatawanga lakes. He calls them all fantastic fisheries with great cabins and expects a good trip at any of their outposts.
Outfitter overall
Mikey Metcalfe
Apr 12, 2023
Blog
Leuenberger Air Service: Your Ticket to Ontario's Best Fishing
If like me, you are someone who loves to road trip and go on do-it-yourself (DIY) fishing trips, you're in luck! I have just the place for you, Leuenberger Air Service, which operates out of Nakina, Ontario. As we arrived at the airbase the following morning, Rob and I were greeted by the head pilot, Jamie Sofonoff. Welcomed with a big smile and warm handshake, we instantly felt at ease. Leuenberger Air Service runs its operation seamlessly, and after a short delay due to fog, the dock hands had the plane loaded and we were up in the air in no time at all. A quick 40-minute flight due north soon had us landing on a remote back lake, and taxiing past our home for the week. Nestled on the shore sits a cozy, clean two-bedroom outpost cabin, equipped with running water and lighting. The outpost has everything a person could ask for, including a wood-burning stove and oven, in addition to a barbecue on the deck. Leuenberger Air Service equipped the outpost with two boats for guests, ideal for our fishing adventure. The lake is well known as a number's lake for northern pike. We quickly found a run that was loaded with whitefish and walleye. The walleye were by the number, and we caught them no matter where we were throughout the entire system. The days flew by, and we ended with a cold drink and a good conversation around the campfire. We were even lucky enough to witness the Northern Lights, clear and bright in the remote northern wilderness. Rob and I had a fantastic trip, filled to the brim with adventure and exploring. The fishing was fantastic, the setting unparalleled. [Published in Northern Ontario Travel / The New Fly Fisher, by certified casting instructor Mikey Metcalfe.]
Outfitter overall
Scott Gardner
Jul 6, 2022
Blog
Nakina fly-in outpost offers endless walleye and trophy pike—all on a budget
I recently returned from one of those places: Whittle Lake, in northern Ontario, and it was unforgettable. Situated 100 km north of Nakina, Ontario, Whittle Lake is home to an outpost cabin operated by the long-running Leuenberger Air Service—a fixture in northern fishing and hunting circles for over half a century. Whittle Lake is small, just 4 km from end to end, and rarely more than half a click wide. The surrounding land is mostly low and flat, and the lake is ringed by scrubby forest, bogs and meadows. And in six days of fishing my group caught, well, we quickly lost count. But we easily had hundreds of walleye and pike, including some pretty memorable specimens. A huge thank you to Claudine Leuenberger and the whole team at Leuenberger Air Service for working with us on this great trip. Not only are they running a friendly, well-organized and safe operation, they gladly made the extra effort to accommodate our kayaks. We truly appreciate it. [Published in Outdoor Canada magazine, written by associate editor Scott Gardner.]
This lodge
wantabigone
Nov 16, 2017
Forum
Fished Kag with perfect weather except for one day. Fish were easy to find once located, and he caught a 14 lb lake trout in 12 feet of water while fishing for walleye. The lake is huge with a wide variety of fish and structure. The boats were decent and the full-service main lodge was a treat for a group that normally does outposts.
This lodge
adempsey2.0
Nov 8, 2017
Forum
Leuenberger
His only experience is Kag Lodge, which he thought was pretty good overall. The boats were fine but not the best he's used at a lodge, though the flight is also a longer one. Fishing on Kag can be outstanding on a big body of water.
This lodge
wdkott
Jan 21, 2017
Forum
Nakina area Lodges
Heading out on his second trip to Kag Lake Lodge. Says the lodge has nice cabins and boats and motors, with very service-oriented staff, and that the fish are generally bigger than on surrounding outpost lakes. He uses the housekeeping plan and likes having it as an option at a lodge.
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Kag Lodge Housekeeping Trip – September 2011
Party of 5 stayed Sept 4-8, 2011 on the housekeeping plan to save money. Every guest got a Tuesday fish fry prepared by lodge staff. Cabins were spacious with linens, comforters and an indoor toilet, and staff delivered fresh coffee at 6 am. Kag is over 20,000 acres of clear water known for big walleye, with some lake trout, pike and Opichuan River brook trout. Boats were 16 ft with 15 HP motors, and the pike weed beds at the south end were a half-hour run away.
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Kag Lodge Housekeeping Trip – September 2011
This was a Leuenberger Lodge trip enjoyed by a party of 5 from September 4-8, 2011. We chose the housekeeping plan to keep expenses down, but it doesn't matter what plan you are on as Tuesday evening there was a fish fry with all the fixings for all guests prepared by the lodge staff. The cabins were spacious, with linens and comforters, and an indoor toilet! One of the girls would also knock on the door at 6 am with a pot of freshly brewed coffee. A nice touch for being on the Housekeeping plan. Kag Lake is huge at over 20,000 acres of crystal clear water. It is well known for its large walleyes, and has some lake trout and pike fishing as well. Brook trout are available on the Opichuan River as well. Boats are nice 16 foot size and powered by 15 HP outboards. Even with that it took a half hour or so to motor down to the pike weed beds at the south end of the lake.
This lodge
Percy Lake, Ontario Canada
Eight anglers drove to Nakina and flew into Percy Lake with Leuenberger's for 7 days, calling it possibly the best fishing trip they had ever taken. They caught 2,054 walleye, mostly released, plus several hundred perch. They saw eagles, ospreys and loons. He highly recommends Percy or any lake Leuenberger's flies into, and says everyone they talked to who has been there wants to go back.
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Leuenberger outpost camps
A poster went to Elbow twice and Kellow once and called both great lakes. The Elbow cabin was brand new. He has also fished Kag for the last three years and says it normally has excellent fishing for 18-inch-plus walleye, though in lower numbers.
This lodge
Kag Lake Lodge
Stayed at Kag Lake Lodge in late July 2024. His first Canadian walleye came within two minutes of fishing. Daily catches ran from dozens to hundreds, typically about 20 inches with a biggest of 25. One bluebird, windless day was slower, at about 40 fish. Hot showers were welcome. He called the food the best part of the week and advised at least the Modified American Plan. He is returning to an outpost camp and wears his Leuenberger Air sweatshirt with pride.
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Darren Luckasavitch
Outfitter
Has fished with Leuenberger's since 1998 and chose them as the best value for a once-in-a-lifetime fly-in trip. Has stayed at eleven outposts (Jemar, Samuelson, Harrogate, Jungfrau, Kayedon, Percy, Felsia, Kellow, Muskrat, Washi, Whittle). Praises the exceptional service, well-organized air base, turbo Otters, homey camps, and walleye, pike, perch and brook trout fishing. Plans to keep returning.
Outfitter overall
A group of 10 took a first fly-in moose hunt and fishing trip in 2022 and the trip did not disappoint. The outpost cabin had the comforts of home apart from the bathroom. They took a moose on day one, fished well, and all decided to return in 2023. Describes the combination of moose, duck and fishing as 'the trifecta' and gave it a full-star rating.
Outfitter overall
Gary Skrzeczkowski
Outfitter
Says the volume and size of fish north of Nakina can't be matched in Canada, including 100-walleye days, walleye over 30 inches, pike well over 40 inches and brook trout. His best memory is landing a 17 lb lake trout on 6 lb line while trolling the western shore of Kagianagami Lake. Describes his experiences with the Leuenberger family as beautiful, adventurous and magical.
This lake
His family has fished with Leuenberger's for over 40 years across 3 generations and calls the fishing world class. Their favourite lakes are Kag and Kayedon. They like the full Kag resort experience and fish light tackle for walleye. At the Kayedon outpost they catch pike all day on spoons and anchor in river current for walleye. Ogoki Lake is reachable from Kayedon for deeper lake fishing.
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The Kag – my favourite place on earth
I first visited Kag when I was 13 years old with my dad. It is where my love for fishing was born. 33 years later I am still coming up to the Kag, with my buddies and my kids and it has become part of their DNA too. I've spent a lot of tough days on the water back home fishing in southern Ontario. But we call our trips to the Kag our 'catching trips' as it often doesn't feel like fishing. It is a place where the avid fisherman and the fly by night guys can fill the boat with relative ease. Over the years I have managed to fish the lake in every month of the season and can't say which I love the most. The lake evolves through the season from hundreds of shallow post spawn walleye in early season to still incredible numbers but fatter deep water walleye in August. The Lakers while sometimes moody, are always a great treat. If Northern's are what floats your boat, you can catch those till your arms fall off. I've had the chance to fish all over including the North West Territories & Nunavut and can say that despite this, I always prefer the Kag more than any other place I've fished. It is as remote as you'd ever want, but with the creature comfort of home. The fish are often co-operative and for the cost, nothing else compares.
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Boats included
