Wilderness Air Escapes
Vermilion Bay, Ontario
Float-plane outfitter operating remote fly-in outpost cabins on over 25 lakes in Ontario's Sunset Country.
Overview
Wilderness Air Escapes is a fly-in fishing and hunting outfitter based in Vermilion Bay, Ontario, on the Canadian Shield in the region known as Sunset Country. The operation runs a fleet of floatplanes — including two de Havilland Otters, one de Havilland Beaver, and one Cessna 185 — to transport guests from its airbase in Vermilion Bay to remote outpost cabins spread across more than 25 lakes. Guests choose a private lake and cabin for the duration of their stay, with one cabin per lake, meaning each group has the water largely to themselves.
In addition to fishing, the outfitter offers spring black bear hunts and fall moose hunts, with both guided and unguided options available. The operation is full-service: staff can pre-purchase groceries for arriving guests, arrange local transportation, and provide guides. An American Plan option with a personal chef at the outpost is also available.
Highlights
The Fishing
Wilderness Air Escapes provides access to more than 25 lakes, divided between conservation-limit lakes and catch-and-release lakes. Target species include walleye, northern pike, muskie, smallmouth bass, lake trout, and perch. Guests fish from 14-foot boats with Yamaha 8 or 9.9 hp motors, which come equipped with padded seats, landing nets, anchors, and life jackets. Bait and fuel are included in packages.
Specific lakes are known for particular species: Devlin Lake, Pilot Lake, Portal Lake, and Wasa Lake are noted for walleye averaging around four pounds; Confusion Lake is noted for lake trout and muskie; and Campfire Lake, O-Nee-Gum Lake, and Crooked Lake are recommended for trophy smallmouth bass. Day-trip fishing flights are also available for visitors who are not staying at an outpost cabin.
Accommodations
Each outpost cabin sits on its own private lake with a private dock. Cabins are equipped with fully stocked kitchens featuring propane fridges and ranges, solar and/or propane lighting, wood stoves with a supply of pre-cut firewood, hot and cold running water, showers, comfortable beds with linens and bedding, paper goods, lanterns, boat anchors, life jackets, BBQs, and fish cookers. Some outposts also include saunas, and satellite phones are available at certain locations.
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 fly to Vermilion Bay, Ontario, where the Wilderness Air Escapes airbase is located approximately three-quarters of a mile north of town on Highway 647. Guests arriving by commercial airline can fly into Winnipeg, MB or International Falls, MN; the outfitter can arrange ground transportation or floatplane connections from those airports at additional cost. From the airbase, guests are flown by floatplane to their chosen outpost cabin.
Access:
Air bases:
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