Onaman River Resort - Thunder Bay, Unorganized, Ontario

Not P.

I've stayed at O.R.R. seven times, and hope to keep coming back. Yes, sometimes the owner or his father are gruff, occasionally even resorting to inappropriate language directed at you or others. Robert's's been working hard over the years to improve the cabins, and the work really shows his skill & attention to detail. They have big dreams and big hearts for sharing that dream with the rest of us.

Electric is VERY limited. The electrical outlets in each cabin have been virtually all removed--only allowing one for the refrigerator.

He's not really happy about having to fire up his generator to provide electricity to everyone just because someone used up all the battery power for their crockpot soup. I'd be miffed, too, having to pay expensive diesel fuel bills to run that generator, when the wind & solar had charged up the batteries for free, and someone used the power up foolishly. So cook your soup over the gas range instead of in an electric crock pot while you're out fishing. It works. This is a remote off-the-electrical-grid fishing camp.

Expect some things to be a little rough around the edges. It's a single guy's dream being built from almost nothing. Robert's trying to make a wonderful fishing opportunity available so you can put a 10-pound-plus walleye in the boat for a picture, and then release it quickly so it can make more big ones, and grow bigger. The same for that 7-pound Speckled Trout, that 45+ pound Lake Trout, that Northern Pike that measures 45"+. This is the only place I know that you run a chance of catching & releasing a record Lake Trout, Brook Trout, Northern Pike, or Walleye.

Edit 2024: The fish cleaning house has a new floor and table! Solid and good looking, as well as new concrete & steps in front. Way to go, Robert!

There's WiFi Internet by the cabins, and inside the one or two cabins close to the external antenna. Now that Star Link is working for him, things seem much more modern.

The Internet doesn't reach the campground, and there's no power or Internet there unless you bring it yourself.

The campground bathroom/shower has no lights, so bring a flashlight if you go there when it's dark. Bring your own Toilet Paper! The hot water & pressure are good, but if they run out, you have to find your way back across the campground road to behind the trailer home and figure out how to start the generator hidden there; it powers the pump to get water pressure to the shower & sink & toilet.

Treat the owners kindly and thoughtfully. Do the same to the other cabin guests and camping guests, and visitors who use the boat ramp from farther away. And all will be well.

Out at the mouth of the river, if someone's anchored fishing right in the middle of the deep part of the narrow channel on the south side, next to the reeds, don't blast by them with a big noise or big wake. Slow down and be courteous. They may not know the mouth of the river has only one spot deep enough to be safe. And if it happens they've anchored right in it, forgive their ignorance and idle by instead of rocking their boat & spoiling their day. You only lose a couple of minutes going slowly by them. And they might be the ones coming to rescue you out on the big water if you have motor issues or if you hit a dead head.

Harold L. (. B. L. J.

Spent six days here. I had a fantastic time fishing all day, and socializing with family, other guest, and owner Robert. Cabins were simple, but very nice. I definitely will come back again.

The owner, Robert was great! He provided lots of good advice, and shared many stories about camp. I found funniest stories being about people arriving, who came ill prepared, with unrealistic expectations, and unable to disconnect from using technogy for accessing Internet.

Here is some advice:

First, the Onaman River Resort is remote fishing/hunting camp. Be grateful that you even have electricity.

Second, You need to carry in all your food, clothing, toiletries, and gear you will need yourself. Nearest town is 1.5 hours away. So if you forget something you need, you are to blame, for failing to plan properly.

Be respectful, fair, and honest with owner and other guest.

Also, remember you are in a foreign country, so bring enough Canadian Currency to pay. I have lived and traveled all around the world, and it is embarrassing seeing or coming behind the ignorant "Ugly American", with entidalment attitude, to try prepare the damage they have caused to reputation of U.S.A. It is shameful to see everytime I meet foreigners with similar stories.

I recommend visiting Onaman River Resort, but please come prepared, and remember this is a remote fishing camp. And enjoy the fishing and reconnecting with nature.

N_Walleye

Just fished here, but meet Rob Lindsey and he really offered to help, a decent guy. The fishing is unparalleled with new BP's caught with pike and walleye.

Jason R.

I’ve came here once and boy can I tell you I can’t wait to the day my buddy invites me back! Rob the owner was super amazing and a cool guy to hang out with and hear the history of the camp! We ended up staying a couple extra nights to get a crack at a world recorded brook trout that swims in that lake but broke my pb at 23 inches! Yes there were bigger brookie caught on the boat but I was super happy seeing and catching fish of a life time! I highly recommend Rob as a guide cause it’s money well spent! Nothing better than ending each day with a huge smile! Can’t wait to go back! Thanks Rob! Your buddies from Ottawa ont Canada

Jon A.

I have stayed at Onaman River Resort probably 5 or 6 times. Love the place. I would call it a true fishing camp. Remote, comfortable, clean. We go for the Brook Trout and Lake Trout mainly but enjoy good numbers of walleye (our largest has been just under 30" but have seen larger caught.) and Northern Pike 40"+. We get along great with Robert (owner) and have him over for dinner every time we are staying there.
You honestly have a change to catch a personal best in 4 species - Lake Trout, Brook Trout, Northern Pike and Walleye.
Camp is remote. Don't expect the resort to have much for supplies - that means bring extra gas too.
Lake is huge - big water. Windy days can keep you off the big lake but there are usually bays you can fish or other nearby lakes to trailer your boat.
Robert has boats in Onaman Lake you can walk in to. Great walleye lake.

Jesse K.

Amazing place to visit! Best chance of catching your personal best Lake trout, brook trout, walleye, and pike all in the same lake. If you like big fish this is the place to go. The owner was great to us. Can't imagine how this place received bad reviews. If you want a luxury resort experience go elsewhere. If you want to fish hard and have a chance at a 40+ pound lake trout, call Robert and book a trip. Been there two years in a row and each year everyone on the boat lands at least one Laker over 40''.

James E.

Website has not been updated since 2017 and pricing changes from year to year based on what side of the bed he gets up. Fishing can be world class BUT you need to understand that pricing is not per his web page. I am Canadian and this year we were told by his father that its an "American Based Resort" and we need to pay in US funds even though his Web Page indicates CAD. Previous two years we paid in Canadian funds. When Covid hit he was sure glad to have our business as Americans were unable to cross the border. Now that he has folks coming back from the US things have changed. There are a lot of things that could make that resort an excellent destination BUT his management style simply sucks and his Father is a piece of work. Fish cleaning hut is a law suit waiting to happen. Floor is rotten and someone is going to fall through it. No available gas pump so bring lots of gas with you as you have a very long haul out to purchase gas.

Robert L.

Stayed here for 2 weeks. Fantastic place. 5 stars all the way. My second time there and booked again for next year. The setting on Lake Nipigon is breath taking. Tons of wildlife, moose/eagles/cranes/duck/geese and a bear. Wolves howling at night. Fishing was awesome even when weather was terrible. Countless pike/walleye 50+ each per day average. Several 20lb + Pike. Specs were off due to an uncharacteristic mayfly hatch. (just our luck) but still got a few beauties including a 7lb trophy staring into fall colors. Cabins are great, clean, spacious. The owner Rob was very helpful and accommodating especially after we had my boat break down. It is a true "Wilderness" experience. If you are looking a luxury resort where you are waited on, this is not for you. You need to bring everything.