5.0
Based on 7 reviews
from across the web
Summarized Review Highlights
Big Hook Wilderness Camps receives overwhelmingly positive reviews across multiple platforms, with nearly every reviewer awarding the highest possible rating. The camp is located approximately 185–200 air miles north of Red Lake, Ontario, deep within Opasquia Provincial Park, making it one of the more remote fly-in destinations in Northwestern Ontario. Guests who have visited once frequently return — some reviewers describe trips spanning 25 years of annual visits — which speaks strongly to the camp's reputation for consistently delivering on its promises. The Hartel family, including hosts Steve and Evie and guide Nathan, are mentioned by name in nearly every review and are credited with creating a warm, personalized atmosphere that guests compare to being among friends rather than customers. Staff attentiveness, including one account of an employee memorizing guests' names and faces from prior-year photos before arrival, is highlighted as genuinely exceptional rather than performative.
Fishing is the centerpiece of the experience and reviewers are consistent in calling it outstanding. Walleye are described as abundant throughout the lake system, and northern pike are noted as both plentiful and large. Guests of all skill levels report success, and the camp's no-trophy policy is credited by at least one long-term guest with maintaining fish quality over time. The cabins are described as clean, comfortable, and well-equipped with hot showers, kitchenware, and bedding. Amenities at the main Central Lake base include WiFi, a wood-fired sauna, paddle boards, canoes, and spacious Lund boats kept fueled and ready each morning. Evie's weekly fish fry and Steve's sauna experience are called out as highlights that other camps in the area do not replicate. A blog reviewer also noted that the owner has made meaningful upgrades in recent years focused on sustainability and guest comfort.
There are no recurring complaints across the reviews surveyed. Reviewers acknowledge that the remote location requires considerable travel effort and expense to reach, and one notes that weather is outside the camp's control, but neither of these is framed as a criticism — rather as context for what makes the experience worthwhile. The cost of a fly-in trip is raised briefly, with one reviewer arguing it compares favorably to drive-in alternatives when fish size and volume are factored in. Based on the reviews, Big Hook is best suited for dedicated walleye and pike anglers who prioritize genuine wilderness remoteness, groups of friends or families including younger anglers, and repeat visitors who value long-term relationships with their hosts. It is less likely to appeal to those seeking a high-amenity resort setting or who are uncomfortable with the logistics of a fly-in trip far from road access.
Summary generated May 25, 2026
Read all 7 reviews
Troy Lindner
Feb 15, 2024
Blog
Big Hook Camps in Opasquia Provincial Park
This was my last trip to Canada to wrap up the 2023 season, and it was a memorable one for sure! Big Hook Wilderness Camps is located 185 air miles north of Red Lake, Ontario, in the heart of Opasquia Provincial Park. This destination features the most remote fly-in housekeeping outpost cabins in Northwestern Ontario, providing an exclusive retreat into the unspoiled natural beauty of Sunset Country. Ryan Carlson, the owner and operator, has made several significant upgrades, enhancing both its sustainability and guest comfort. Central Lake, located at the hub of Big Hook Wilderness Camps, offers unique amenities like WiFi internet, a sauna, paddle boards, canoes, and guide services. The two guest cabins are separated by a long boardwalk, ensuring privacy and seclusion. We caught a ton of walleye and some big pike! Walleye are peppered throughout the entire system, pick any fishy-looking spot and it's a near guarantee to get bit. For pike, the shallow cabbage weed beds are key, especially if there's current. The two cabins are well-equipped with amenities like kitchenware, comfortable bedding, hot showers, and staple foods. The Lund boats you get to use are spacious, comfortable and perfect for navigating the lake. Big Hook Camps provides guests with a unique, remote Canadian fly-in fishing adventure.
This lodge
Jim M
Jun 1, 2014
TripAdvisor
Great adventure with incredible service
Our group has been going to Big Hook for 25 years. We know Evie, Steve and their son and partner. Nathan Hartel as friends because they are such incredible hosts and genuine warm people; and the experience always exceeds our high expectations. A wilderness fishing camp 200 miles north of the end of the road (Red Lake) and almost 20 hours by car from home, needs to be very special to be worth the very considerable effort and expense to get there. BHWC is worth every effort and then some. While the Hartels cannot control every variable that nature has to offer (the weather for example) they do everything possible to assure a superb experience. The cabins are immaculate, the boats are serviced, gased and ready every day. Ever service request is met and done if possible. The fishing is beyond superb and the no trophy policy assures more and better fish every year. Other camps may offer comparable facilities but none can match Evie's weekly fish fry, Steve's sauna and lake experience, Nathan's guiding and their unfailing friendliness and service. This year Tyrol (their worker bee employee) and Steve met us at the Sandy lake air port and Tyrol called each of us by name- he had spent the time the evening before to go over last year's pictures and recall each name and face. This would be surprising- except at Big Hook - like Cheers- everyone knows your name. If you want a real Canadian fishing experience there just is none better. Insider tip: There are cabins not rooms.
Outfitter overall
Matt M
Aug 1, 2013
TripAdvisor
Paradise in Ontario
My 3rd trip in 8 years to BH, all at Central. Wonderful fishing, beautiful location, great hosts. What more can you ask for. Our group of 8 consisted of 3 youth, and 5 adults. We all caught fish, we enjoyed the company of Steve, Evie, and Nathan. "Horse Race" is a must with Nathan. You might think it's too expensive to do a fly-in, not the case. We spent more 2 years ago, at a drive-in location, the fish were smaller, on average, and less plentiful. Room Tip: Central Lake has a sauna (rustic-wood fired), very basic but comfortable amenities.
This lodge
MikeyBDryden
Mar 1, 2013
TripAdvisor
Fly in fishing at it's best an Amazing Wilderness Experience
We flew in to Big Hook last summer for a week of R&R and some good walleye and northern fishing. We have fished all over North West Ontario and many other places around the world and I can say without reservation that Big Hook's fishing rates with the best anywhere. We stayed at their main base camp on Central Lake which is 185 miles north of the last paved road in Red Lake Ontario. Nathan, Steve and Evie were the best hosts one could hope for. Really concerned we had a good time and went out of their way to make it so. If you are a dedicated fisher(man) or (woman) this will start as a trip of a lifetime and turn into annual trips for a life time.
This lodge
Brian S
Mar 1, 2012
TripAdvisor
First class fishing and hospitality!
My friend Jamie and I spent the week fishing for walleye and pike at Big Hook Wilderness Camp in the beautiful Opasquia Provincial Park. The fishing was excellent! We caught walleyes till our hands hurt and the pike were plentiful and big! The cabins were clean and comfortable. Our hosts, Steve and Evie, are wonderful folks and their son Nathan was one of the best fishing guides I've ever had the opportunity to share a boat with. A must go destination for fisherman of any skill level!
Outfitter overall
Absolutely phenomenal fishing. Visit Big Hook Camps to escape and experience true wilderness tranquility.
Outfitter overall
Samuel Hamilton
Outfitter
The walleyes were everywhere. We were supplied with a hotspot map but it was unnecessary because anywhere you tossed a jig there were walleyes. Big Hook is not exaggerating when they say they have the best fishing in Ontario.
Outfitter overall
