Leuenberger Air
Nakina, Ontario
Family-run outfitter operating 12 fly-in outpost camps and one full-service lodge north of Nakina, Ontario.
Overview
Leuenberger Air Service, based in Nakina, Ontario, was founded in 1960 when Ernie Leuenberger Senior began the family-owned fly-in business with a borrowed canoe and a tent. Today the operation includes 12 remote fly-in outpost camps, each situated on a separate lake, plus a full-service lodge on Kagianagami Lake (known as Kag Lodge), along with its own air service flying guests to and from camp.
Nakina serves as the staging point for all trips. The outposts and lodge are accessible by air only, with guests flown in aboard De Havilland Turbo Otters. In addition to fishing, the operation offers fly-in moose hunting in the fall, with hunts conducted in Wildlife Management Units 17, 18A, and 18B.
Established: 1960
Highlights
The Fishing
The lakes north of Nakina hold walleye, northern pike, lake trout, brook trout, jumbo perch, and whitefish. Walleye fishing is the primary draw at the outpost camps, with guests commonly reporting catches of 50 to 100 fish per day. Northern pike in the 40- to 48-inch range are regularly targeted, and many large pike are incidentally caught while fishing for other species. Lake trout are available exclusively at Kagianagami Lake, where fish in the 20-pound range are common and larger trout up to 35 pounds are occasionally caught. Four of the outpost camps provide access to brook trout on rivers including the Ogoki, Kapikotongua, Little Current, Opichuan, Cat Tail, and Albany Rivers, with trout in the 4-pound range considered typical and fish over 5 pounds possible on the Albany River. The outpost fishing is self-guided housekeeping style, with each camp supplied with aluminum boats and motors.
Accommodations
Outpost camps are self-catering housekeeping cabins equipped with a full propane stove and oven, propane refrigerator with small freezer, running water and a shower (water is not potable and must be boiled or brought in), solar-powered lighting, and all cooking and eating utensils. Outpost guests must supply their own bedding and towels. Each camp comes with 14-foot aluminum boats with 9.9 HP motors. Kag Lodge on Kagianagami Lake is a step up in comfort, offering fully equipped cabins with flush toilets, hot and cold running water, generator-supplied electricity, full-sized refrigerator/freezer, and provided bedding. The lodge operates under American Plan, Modified American Plan, or Housekeeping Plan options, with American Plan meals prepared by a chef in the main lodge dining room. The lodge uses 14- or 16-foot aluminum boats with 15 HP motors. Outpost cabin sizes range to accommodate between 4 and 12 guests.
Fish Species
What They Offer
Amenities available at one or more of this outfitter's properties.
Locations
One marker per lodge or camp. Click a marker for details.
Getting There
Guests drive or travel by train to Nakina, Ontario, which is accessible by automobile, train, or chartered aircraft. The Leuenberger Air airbase is located on Cordingley Lake, outside Nakina. From there, guests are flown to their outpost or lodge by float plane — typically De Havilland Turbo Otters. Individual outpost lakes can be located up to roughly 100 km north of Nakina. There is no road access to any of the camps; all travel is by air. A baggage weight limit of 130 pounds per person applies, including food and beverages.
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