Summarized Review Highlights
Gateway North Outfitters has earned an outstanding reputation among its guests, with every reviewed trip receiving a perfect five-star rating. Many reviewers are repeat visitors — some returning for multiple consecutive years and even booking their next trip before leaving — which speaks strongly to the consistency and quality of the operation. The outfitter is run by Lucas and Nicole, with staff including Hunter, Trevor, and others, and guests routinely single them out by name for their attentiveness, professionalism, and seamless logistical coordination. Pilot Trevor is mentioned several times as a standout, with one guest noting his ability to safely navigate a fogged-in lake. The overall tone across reviews is one of genuine enthusiasm from experienced Canadian fly-in anglers who feel Gateway North matches or exceeds what they have found elsewhere over decades of similar trips.
Guests consistently praise several specific aspects of the experience. Fishing is the central draw, with walleye, smallmouth bass, and northern pike all receiving strong reviews across multiple lakes including Trout Lake, Highrock, and Lake Erie. Walleye catches in the 25–28 inch range are reported regularly, smallmouth bass frequently measured 18–20 inches, and pike up to 37 inches were landed. Daily catch totals were often high, with one group logging 444 walleye over a trip. The cabins are described as beautiful, well-maintained, and positioned in scenic settings, with equipment — boats, Yamaha motors, generators, and appliances — noted for working reliably. The food pack provided by the outfitter drew consistent praise, with guests highlighting the quality of the meat and sides included; one reviewer specifically suggested guests bring their own favorite seasonings rather than extra food. A recently added Blackstone flat-top grill at some cabins was a particularly popular addition mentioned by multiple groups.
There are virtually no recurring complaints across these reviews. One guest noted that fishing on Highrock during a challenging weather stretch produced smaller walleye than expected, though trophy-sized fish were still caught. Another mentioned that fish were not caught on every cast at Trout Lake, though the scenery and occasional trophy fish more than compensated. These are minor observations rather than criticisms, and no reviewer raised concerns about value, safety, communication, or any operational shortcomings. Based on the reviews, Gateway North Outfitters appears best suited for groups of friends or fishing buddies — particularly those targeting walleye and smallmouth bass — who want a well-organized, remote fly-in experience with reliable equipment and high-quality accommodations. It would also work well for experienced Canadian anglers with high expectations, as well as those doing their first fly-in who want a professionally managed trip with minimal hassle.
Summary generated May 25, 2026
Read all 11 reviews
2025 Guest Comment – Trout Lake
First trip to Trout Lake. Fantastic!! Tons of water to fish…. We were so blessed with great weather. New Blackstone was a huge hit. Bass fishing was so much fun. Found them on rocks and reefs in shallow water. What's better than slaying Smalley's on topwater??? Northern everywhere and more than enough Walleye to eat. Biggest fish: Bass, multiple 20 inchers (and tons in the 17-19 inch range). 26" Walleye and 37" Pike were the biggest we caught. Sunset from the cabin was breathtaking!!! Already booked next year!! Thank you Trevor, Hunter, Lucas and Nicole!!!
This lodge
2024 Guest Comment – Eric Lake exceeded expectations
Gateway North Outfitters exceeded all of my expectations for our trip to Canada. Don't try to bring your own food – they provide very high quality meat and sides for you to prepare. (Maybe bring some of your own favorite seasonings.) Fishing – we stayed on Lake Eric and Slayed it!!! Pike were tearing up the top water early in the week, every bass we caught was bigger than any smallmouth I've ever caught, and the walleye were plentiful. Some of the nicest people I've ever dealt with. Highly Recommend!!! Thank you all very much for an exceptional trip!!!
This lodge
2023 Guest Comment – Lucas and Nicole must be the best outfitters in Canada
Trout Lake is spectacular. Its vastness and scenery reminded us of the Boundary Waters. Fish weren't caught on every cast, but a few trophy sized northern and walleye were the consolation. Like all the other Gateway North cabins, the new one on Trout is beautiful. Its position on the island is perfect. Boats, motors, and generator all worked flawlessly, as per usual. Those Yamaha motors make us all nearly forget how temperamental boat motors used to be. Lucas and Nicole must be the best outfitters in all of Canada.
This lodge
2022 Guest Comment – Highrock, there simply can't be a better outfitter
Second trip of the year, this time on Highrock. It is a particularly picturesque lake. The weather and fishing were a bit more challenging than at other times, which made the many fish caught even more rewarding. Targeted only walleye. Generally, they were smaller than we're accustomed to, but there was a 26" hoss in the mix and several in the 22"–23" range. On this trip, less was more. Bouncing a crawler along the bottom worked better than active jigging. As always, the accommodations and equipment were exceptional. I don't understand how Lucas, Nicole, and Hunter can so consistently arrange for boat motors, generators, appliances, and airplanes to work so flawlessly, but they do. There simply can't exist a better outfitter anywhere in the north woods. Already booked for next summer.
This lodge
2021 Guest Comment – Trevor is the best pilot, Lucas and Nicole flawless
Largest was a 28" walleye, caught on the last day at the end of a rocky point at the 24 foot mark. We also (unintentionally) caught some good sized Northerns and 3 Huge smallmouths while fishing for walleyes. The cabin is one of the best, and has held up well over the past 7 years. The new covered barbeque area right next to the deck allowed us to cook in the rain just fine. Trevor is the best pilot we have had in our many years of fly-ins, and was able to safely negotiate a fogged-in lake on the way there. Food pack was great and Lucas and Nicole managed every detail of our trip flawlessly as usual! We'll be back next year!
Outfitter overall
2019 Guest Comment – Lucas and Nicole run a great business
Great trip. Fishing was very good overall. Bass fishing was excellent for size and quantity. Walleye fishing was fair, but than enough for eating. Lucas and Nicole run a great business. It's good to see their kids getting involved. We will definitely be back.
Outfitter overall
2018 Guest Comment – Top notch outfitter, would recommend
Awesome 5 days of fishing! Average around 15-30 per boat each day. Caught 6 walleyes 25-27" range. Lots of walleyes with a lot of good eaters. Exceptional smallmouth fishing with largest measuring 20". Great numbers of northerns but no real big ones. Cabin and all accommodations were exceptional. Had a great trip and look forward to returning. Top notch outfitter and would recommend for great fishing.
Outfitter overall
2016 Guest Comment – Another great trip with GNO
Another great trip with GNO. Fishing was very good and we caught lots of big bass at 18-19.5" and several walleye above 22", with 24" being the largest. Catching a walleye dinner each day was quick and easy. The cabin was nice, our pilot (Trevor) is the absolute best, and as always, Lucas and Nicole were the perfect hosts.
Outfitter overall
2015 Guest Comment – Fantastic cabin, 444 walleye caught
Fantastic cabin, great weather and lots of walleye (444 caught). Largest was 25".... many in the 18-20" range. Occasionally caught bass when fishing for walleyes. They were all very large. Food pack was great and we all ate well. Service from Lucas & Nicole was excellent as usual. Cabin is the best we have experienced in 20+ years of Canadian fishing!
Outfitter overall
2013 Guest Comment – Would recommend to anyone looking for a good fishing trip
We fished 9 days and limited out on walleye and northerns. Largest walleye 25". The weather, hospitality, and accommodations were great. I would recommend anyone looking for a good fishing trip to Gateway North Outfitters.
Outfitter overall
Kirk, Randy, David, Travis, John, Gary, and Dwayne had a great third year with Gateway. After over two decades of fly-in fishing in Ontario with another outfitter, we never thought we'd find one that matched the experience we'd come to love. But Gateway proved us wrong! This is a first-class place that truly captures the ruggedness of the area. The attention to detail and customer service here are above and beyond. We were especially impressed to find a brand new Blackstone Grill waiting for us – it took our meals to a whole new level! The lake, the boats, and the fishing were all fantastic, and we're already looking forward to next year. We even booked our cabin before we left!
Outfitter overall
