Summarized Review Highlights
Brace Lake Outfitters, located north of Nakina, Ontario and accessible by float plane through Nakina Air Service, has built a strong and consistent reputation among fly-in anglers and hunters. The overwhelming majority of reviews are enthusiastically positive, with many guests returning multiple times over several years and describing owners Kyle and Teri Polesky as attentive, hardworking, and genuinely invested in their guests' experiences. The personal connection guests feel with the owners and staff is a recurring theme, with several reviewers describing the camp as feeling like family. The operation has been featured on fishing television programs including The New Fly Fisher and Fishin Canada, which reflects its standing in the fly-in fishing community.
Guests consistently praise the quality and variety of fishing, particularly for walleye and northern pike, with multiple reviewers reporting trophy-class fish in the 24–40 inch range and high catch volumes. The cedar strip boats and reliable outboard motors receive frequent compliments. The main lodge cabins are described as well-appointed, clean, and recently renovated, with modern amenities including hot and cold running water, flush toilets, wood stoves, and wrap-around decks. The food is a standout highlight across nearly every review, with meals like Prime Rib and Beef Wellington mentioned specifically. The outpost camp on Little Makokibatan Lake, situated on the Albany River, draws particular attention for its exceptional walleye fishing and remote feel, though it is noted as slightly more rustic than the main camp. Beyond fishing, the operation also offers black bear hunting, and one reviewer speaks highly of Kyle's guiding expertise in that area.
There are very few complaints across the reviews. The most notable recurring caveat is weather — multiple trips were affected by storms, extreme cold, high winds, and high water levels, which are inherent risks of remote northern Ontario fishing and outside the outfitter's control. One reviewer noted that high water made loading and unloading boats awkward and left the camp location feeling wet. A visitor also mentioned that finding fish required more effort on one trip than expected, though fish were still caught. One reviewer advised planning a full week rather than a shorter stay to make the most of what the area offers. Overall, this destination appears best suited for serious walleye and pike anglers seeking remote, high-quality fishing with above-average amenities, repeat visitors who appreciate a personal relationship with an owner-operated camp, fathers introducing younger anglers to fly-in fishing, and groups of fishing buddies comfortable with occasional weather-related challenges.
Summary generated May 25, 2026
Read all 9 reviews
Ty Sjodin
Mar 11, 2025
Blog
Brace Lake Outfitters: Trophy Hunting and Fishing Trips in Northern Ontario
We stepped off the plane and were met by Kyle and Teri. Their amazing service and hard work are an understatement. Both have a strong commitment to ensuring that their guest's vacation is an experience to remember and work endlessly to make sure the camp is in top condition and no detail has been overlooked. Once you are a guest at Brace Lake Outfitters, you are family—a motto they take to heart and why guests come back year after year. If black bear hunting is your passion and you're looking for a trophy animal, then Brace Lake Outfitters is a must. Kyle is an amazingly knowledgeable guide that is sure to get you on a big 'ole bear. Brace Lake Outfitters limits the number of bears harvested, ensuring a good population of trophy-class animals. My trip was exactly that and one I will never forget. Kyle made sure I was hunting active bear sites with shooter animals, keeping his baiting in check knowing the bears were hitting the sites. Like clockwork we had bears coming in and giving me opportunities. Once I connected on the bear I wanted, Kyle put his expert tracking to work to recover the bear and took care of the animal all the way through to the hide and meat processing. Whether it's pitching jigs and crankbaits for walleyes, chucking bucktails, spoons, and big crankbaits, or even working a leech-patterned fly on a fly rod for trophy pike, you are sure to have a sore arm from setting the hook by weeks end. Brace Lake offers an opportunity to fish 225 miles of shoreline or a river system that also gives you access to Meta and Ara lakes which all offer a tremendous amount of adventure and fantastic fishing. When picking your next fishing adventure, trophy bear, or moose hunting destination, Brace Lake Outfitters should be on the top of your list. It's definitely on my list of places to revisit!!
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Scott Mills
Jul 12, 2023
Blog
Return to Makokibatan – High Water / Strong Wind and Big Walleye
Having fished this lake the year before, it comes down to three main things: Big Water, Big Wind, Big Walleye. The high water meant our unloading was a bit of a slog, but after many treacherous walks on the floating boardwalk, we had most of our gear in the cabin. While it made for a wet camp location, and a bit of pain to load in and out of boats, it meant that there was really nothing preventing you from fishing those hard to reach places. Several more great Walleye holes were now available, and we were rewarded each and every time. This trip produced the highest number of big Walleye for either of us. Any picture shown here, the fish is at least 24 inches long, which we consider to be a big fish. We both landed 28 inch Walleye, a new PB for each of us (but still shy of our 30in goal), and the number of fish that were 22/23in that we hand landed and released was too high to count. If you are comfortable with an outpost camp, one that is a touch more rustic than others (but still very well-equipped), and are in search of some big Walleye, do yourself a favour and put Makokibatan Lake with Brace Lake Outfitters on your list.
This lodge
Scott Mills
Apr 3, 2022
Blog
Best Walleye Fishing EVER! – Little Makokibatan Lake Outpost
It was summer 2019 when I was at Brace Lake Outfitters for my second time, and having another amazing trip. I was in the main lodge chatting with owner Kyle Poleski when he said he had something he wanted to show me. It was the location of an outpost camp he had just acquired on Little Makokibatan Lake, which is a widening of the Albany River. In Spring 2022, four of us headed out for what we expected would be a great experience, but turned out to be the best Walleye fishing ever. The cabin has running hot and cold water provided from a water tower, a full size freezer, fridge/stove, wood stove and all the cutlery/utensils you will need. There is a BBQ on the small deck, a generator to provide electricity, and an outdoor privy. 'The Cut' is about as automatic a fishing spot as you will ever find. I would not be exaggerating to say that we would get on runs of catching a fish on every cast. The average size was simply outstanding. Our average fish was about 20-22 inches, and we didn't bother to photograph anything that wasn't at least 24 inches. We boated over 100 Walleye during one afternoon session alone. Our cabin was on a wonderful sandy beach, ideal for evening camp fires. Bald eagles, beavers, bush trails on every stretch of shore. If you like remote destination, amazing quantities of fish, incredible average size, and the knowledge that you are in a location that few anglers have, or will ever get to, call Kyle and Brace Lake Outfitters. You won't regret it.
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Scott Mills
Nov 12, 2019
Blog
Return to Brace Lake Outfitters
Fast forward to Summer 2019 and it was time for the return visit! We would again be flying with Nakina Air, who within minutes of us arriving had us loaded, and after a short 25 minute flight we were on the docks at Brace Lake being greeted warmly by Kyle and his staff. We walked up to the cabin we were assigned and started to get settled in as the staff brought up all of our gear right to our door. Not only is it a more relaxing experience, but it allows you to get on the water that much quicker. Owner Kyle and Teri have done an incredible job with the camp. Almost all the cabins are new, the boats and motors are outstanding, and the food and service are second to none. The cabin we were in was outstanding, with wrap around deck, wood stove, fully equipped kitchen and bathroom with hot and cold running water, shower and flush toilet. When you are served Prime Rib, fresh vegetables and home-made cake for dessert, all accompanied by wine and coffee, it's not hard to see why so many of their guests go full American Plan. We caught a tonne of fish, we just worked a bit harder to find them. They recently opened a new outpost cabin on little Makokibatan Lake, a part of the Albany River. They can't control the weather or the fish, but I can attest that regardless of the weather, there are abundant fish to be had.
This lodge
Kyle Randall
Jul 9, 2019
Blog
Landing Walleye and Northern Pike at Brace Lake Outfitters
Every time I board a float plane, the expectation and excitement begin to ratchet up just a little. When Aubrey Gale and I boarded the Nakina Air Service flight to Brace Lake Outfitters, the feeling was just a tick or two higher up the chart. I've been in the area before, but never had the chance to fish with Kyle and Teri Polesky, a hardworking young couple known for doing all they can to create great memories for their guests. Brace Lake sits in the middle of the northern Canadian watershed, a bastion for outsized northern pike, and it has long been the home of 'I caught so many big walleye!' We made long casts and erratic retrievals that lull you into a rhythm, that is until someone drops a brick on your fly and the rod-bouncing battle is on. After several good fish, Kyle shot us down the lake to a 6- to 8-foot-deep weed bed. We were seeing big walleye chasing and striking our pike-sized baits. With a stunning Beef Wellington on Teri's menu, not one I cared to be on the repeat offender list for missing. Three nights in a very comfortable, freshly remodelled cabin recharged us for three days of good fishing with great people, and Kyle worked overtime to put us on fish everywhere we went. Everything we tried and every place produced fish, so there was no pile of boats over 'the' spot. Our only regret on this trip was that we were weathered out of a last-day plan to fish a new outpost camp on the legendary Albany River. Still, with far more opportunities than we could sample in just three days, my advice is to plan on a week if you can. Friends, if you do find yourself up at Brace Lake, keep a 'weather eye' on the horizon for the next float plane coming in. I'm pretty certain we'll be back.
This lodge
Scott Mills
Jun 14, 2015
Blog
Fly In Trip to Brace Lake Outfitters
This was our 5th trip together and we decided to try something a bit different. The one that caught my eye, and popped up on numerous locations was that of Brace Lake Outfitters. This lodge had recently been re-opened by Teri and Kyle Polesky, had hosted the New Fly Fisher and Fishin Canada, and a friend of mine had been there the previous season and had enjoyed the fishing. Any question of where we were going was washed away simply by the interaction I had with Teri. Her promptness, professionalism, attention to detail and enthusiasm for her business caught me right away, and I promptly moved into booking mode. Flight service by Nakina Air Service was great. Main lodge at Brace is spectacular. Cabins were a good size, well equipped, had private docks and great views. 18ft cedar strip boats are a dream to fish from, and the new 25hp mercury 4 strokes were quiet and reliable. A full on winter storm came in dumping 15 cm, 60km gusts, sleet, freezing rain, you name it. 4 of the 5 days we had sub zero temps without the wind. You can't control the weather, but you can control how you respond to it, and Kyle and Teri worked hard to make sure we made the best of it. We still managed to catch a lot of fish. Average walleye size was probably 20 inches, and we caught many fish in the 30-40 inch range. We saw enough of what Brace Lake has to offer that we'll be back for round two.
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Mike (OP – Michigan Sportsman)
May 31, 2015
Forum
Brace Lake North Of Nakina - Killer Trip!!
Hey guys last week I completed my first trip of the year to Brace Lake Outfitters north of Nakina, Ontario. I've been on well over 50 fly in trips and have been privileged to fish some of the finest pike waters in the north and I had what was easily the single best day of trophy northern fishing I've ever had in my life! Best part was I got to experience that with my young son. I just completed a full write up on the trip along with about 12 embedded videos and a gross number of photos.
This lodge
Pete Bowman / Fish'n Canada TV
Blog
Episode 546 – Brace Lake Makokibatan Outpost
On this trip to Brace Lake Outfitters Makokibatan Outpost camp, it was about the outstanding fishing we encountered. In talking to Kyle Polesky, the lodge owner, Pete was told about an amazing Brook Trout, Walleye, and Pike destination that he wanted to get us to film. This location is not just a lake (Makokibatan) in the middle of the Ontario forest. This is a lake formed on one of the most famous Brook Trout rivers in the world, the 982-kilometer-long Albany River. This was music to our ears! The outpost camp is perfect for both anglers as well as hunters. Kyle is always on the pulse of all his fishing opportunities and this location is no exception. From hotspots he's acquired in the past, to current intel from other anglers trying new areas, there's always the potential for a great day of Walleye fishing. Sure enough, once we got to the shore lunch area, that's when things started to rock & roll! Brace Lake Outfitters is committed to providing anglers with unforgettable fishing expeditions in the heart of Ontario's wilderness. It's where the best fishing in Ontario begins! A once in a lifetime experience.
This lodge
Since 2015 – 10 years of family memories
Since 2015: From the moment we arrived, BraceLake Outfitters exceeded every expectation. The remote location was absolutely stunning—pristine water, endless sky, and untouched natural beauty. The cabins were clean, cozy, and perfectly rustic, and the food provided was top-notch—Kyle and Terry are true masters of their Kraft. From restaurant quality meals to landing fish on beautiful cedar strip boats, the fun was never ending. Whether you're an experienced angler or just looking to unplug and reconnect with nature, this is the place. The trip was a perfect balance of adventure, comfort, and serenity. 10 years later: not only do we have countless trophy fish between my family and I; more importantly we found friends—the family you get to pick—in Kyle, Terry, and Novak. If you're looking for an experience of a lifetime look no further. 10/10.
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