4.1
Based on 8 reviews
from across the web
Summarized Review Highlights
Wabakimi Fishing & Canoeing Outfitters, operated out of Armstrong, Ontario (roughly three hours north of Thunder Bay), holds a strong positive reputation among guests who have actually visited. The EcoLodge bed and breakfast that serves as the base of operations is consistently praised for its comfort and hospitality — an eight-bedroom lodge with lake views, a hot tub, a spacious common area, and home-cooked meals that guests describe as far superior to a roadside motel stay. The owners, Bruce Hyer and his wife, draw repeated praise for their personal warmth and deep knowledge of the Wabakimi region. Bruce in particular is credited with developing the majority of the area's recreational routes and is noted for carefully matching trip recommendations to each guest's skill level and goals. The outpost camps — such as the one on Shawanabis Lake — are described as rustic but well-equipped, with propane appliances, refrigerators, hot running water, and saunas. Fishing for walleye, pike, and lake trout is described as productive and rewarding, and the floatplane access is consistently called a highlight of the experience.
The most notable concern raised in reviews is not about the quality of the experience itself, but about the long-term viability of the business. Forum commenters note that the operation runs a short season (roughly late May through mid-September), that it has historically struggled to turn a reliable profit, and that Bruce's son — who previously worked alongside him — has left the business to pursue a legal career with no plans to take over. As of recent reports, Bruce and his wife were said to be traveling rather than attending trade shows they had previously exhibited at for years, leading some observers to speculate the business may be winding down. Prospective visitors should confirm current availability and operations directly before making plans, as the long-term future of the outfitter appears uncertain.
This outfitter is best suited for canoeists and paddlers who want a guided or self-guided wilderness experience in a remote and largely untouched part of Ontario, as well as small groups or families looking for a quiet fly-in fishing experience on private or near-private lakes. It is particularly well-matched to those who value a personal, owner-operated atmosphere over a large commercial lodge. Serious trophy-fishing operations with a high-volume, rod-and-gun business model this is not — the focus is clearly on the wilderness paddling and canoe-tripping side, with fishing as a complementary activity. Anglers expecting a heavily staffed, amenity-rich fishing resort may find the rustic outpost setup understated, but those comfortable with self-sufficient backcountry travel are likely to find it genuinely memorable.
Summary generated May 25, 2026
Read all 8 reviews
jdeerfoot
Mar 27, 2024
Forum
This year Bruce did not exhibit at Canoecopia after having a booth for many years. And the Midwest Mountaineering Spring show in Minneapolis is no more because that shop closed after the owner retired. When I asked about Bruce I was told he and his wife were traveling and thus not at Canoecopia. Sounds like the business is winding down. His son, who previously worked in the business with him, is a newly minted attorney and will not be taking over the business.
Outfitter overall
memaquay
Mar 26, 2024
Forum
I've met Bruce a few times, bought a canoe or two off him. He was originally an American I believe. He was elected as an NDP member of parliament for the Thunder Bay region, and that is where he earned a great deal of respect locally, not so much federally. The Conservative party of Canada was voting to end the long gun registry in Canada. Bruce went against the party line and voted with the Conservatives to end the registry. Bruce was the rare politician who actually represented the wishes of his constituents above the party line. There are a lot of gun owners in the Thunder Bay area. He was disciplined by the NDP for not voting with them, and in the next election he ran as an independent. I voted for him then too, but unfortunately I don't think he won. Anyway, very interesting fella!
Outfitter overall
recped
Sep 23, 2023
Forum
Judging from the number of abandoned outfitters, outpost camps and full on lodges I've passed over the years I would guess that any type of setup (fishing, hunting, paddling) is not a route to riches. The ones I know that are active AND making money are exclusively in the rod & gun business and charge way more money than 90% of paddlers are inclined to spend.
Outfitter overall
jdeerfoot
Sep 23, 2023
Forum
Talked to his wife last September in Armstrong and she said they rarely made money with this business. The earliest I ever paddled in the Wabakimi area was the third week in May and the latest was mid September. I understand it is still possible to paddle in October but the cold better not bother you. So you would have a short season to make all your money. In the off season the Hyers moved back to Thunder Bay and may work there at that time.
Outfitter overall
billconner
Sep 23, 2023
Forum
It would be sad if it disappeared.
Outfitter overall
Kelli Majiros
Sep 23, 2023
Blog
I hope the perfect person shows up to buy this! I'll share it with my friends.
Outfitter overall
Colin Field
Sep 18, 2023
Blog
Dreams For Sale: Passing The Torch At Wabakimi Outfitters
The trip begins at the EcoLodge itself near Armstrong, Ontario, about three hours north of Thunder Bay. It's a beautiful eight-bedroom lodge with a spacious common room and an all-inclusive vibe. Bruce and his wife, Margaret, are hosting us along with 20 other people who are spending the night. The Allan Water River provides rock dodging, wave crashing, boat swamping fun on its class II rapids. The Allan Water is a perfect river for the whitewater enthusiast; undoubtedly among my top three favorite Ontario rivers I've paddled. We're surrounded by wilderness with no sign of humankind other than the occasional floatplane passing overhead. The black spruce and jack pine forest is peaceful, rugged and beautiful. We see a couple black bears on the side of the river. We see loons and bald eagles. Michael delivers; after half an hour of fishing from a canoe, he returns triumphantly with two dinner-sized walleye. On our final day on the river, we paddle to one of the company's outpost camps on Windfall Lake. The rustic cabin is complete with solar panels, electric lights, a fridge and a 20-foot-high water tower. The floatplane takes us over the scrubby, barren landscape littered with rivers and lakes and I'm transfixed by the terrain and the tripping potentials. It's a flight that leaves me smiling for the rest of the day and the landing back at the Wabakimi EcoLodge dock is as smooth as they come. Bruce knows Wabakimi intimately and claims to have created 90 percent of its recreational routes. He carefully questions people about their skill levels and trip requirements before recommending a corresponding experience. He says canoeists balk at floatplane prices—although they rave about the experience afterward—while anglers never question expenses as long as the fishing is good.
This lodge
Troy Lindner
Feb 25, 2021
Blog
Wabakimi Canoe Outfitters
We started out our adventure by driving to their Eco-Lodge Bed and Breakfast, located in Armstrong. It is just three hours north of Thunder Bay. What a great place to rest up before our trip. This eight-bedroom lodge has an awesome lake view, a hot tub for relaxing, and a big open main area for meals and meeting other guests. Brenda and Bert Zwicker run the place and will make you feel right at home with their hospitality, help and home-cooked meals. This is way better than staying in a little motel! For our TV episode, we chose the Shawanabis Lake Outpost. Shawanabis Lake is six miles long, and holds walleye, pike, and lake trout. The outpost is the only cabin on the lake. There are two bedrooms, a sauna, and an extra cabin if your group needs that. We cooked up some fresh caught walleye and lake trout in the fully equipped kitchen (propane lights, refrigerator and stove). The showers have hot/cold running water too. For our meals, we dined outside on the picnic table which was a fantastic experience. This is a perfect location for families and groups of friends who want to get away. We had shore lunch and dinner with the delicious walleye and lake trout caught from Shawanabis. It was tough to say which tasted better! And speaking of tasting good—the blueberries! There were patches of them all around the island. Owner Bruce Hyer is called the 'Father of Wabakimi.' After meeting him and hearing his amazing stories, it's very clear why. Wabakimi Canoe Outfitters offers entirely different adventures than anything we have done filming the TV show. If you're a novice paddler or an experienced canoeist, they have you covered for an amazing Ontario Experience.
This lodge
