Elbow Lake Outpost

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.