Gary's Guiding: Crotch Lake Fishing Guide

The water is only 70° so it's a lot cooler out on the lake

I guide on the big Crotch Lake, which is north of Sharbot Lake and within the North Frontenac Parklands; NOT the small Crotch Lake that's near Arden. There has been some confusion about this.

About Me:
My father was a fishing fanatic so I grew up fishing. In high school I met my friend Greg. His parents owned a fly-in lodge north of Wawa. Greg's parents hired me so at 16 years old; I started to guide professionally. Later they sold the lodge and bought a 5-star fly-in lodge 600 air miles north-west of Thunder Bay, where I worked for many seasons. As of 2026 I have been guiding for 46 years.

In 2026 I am available from Saturday, May 9 (Walleye Opener) to Saturday, October 10 (two days before Canadian Thanksgiving)

Please Note: I am a fishing guide, not a charter boat. You supply your own fishing rods and tackle. I supply worms. If you don't have fishing rods and tackle please tell me ahead of time and I'll bring extras.

Bookings: Please email me at gary@imarket.ca (include your phone number) or you can phone me at (613) 335-5383. My return email will say it's from iMarket Canada so please check your junk mail folder if you don't hear from me. I live out in the wilderness and don't always get a phone signal so please leave a message.

Parking: Based on Tumblehome Lodge's insurance policy; if you are not a guest of the lodge you cannot park at the lodge. You will need to park at the public boat launch off of Ardoch Road where I will meet you. You can buy a park day-pass here ($9.50). Crotch Lake Access Road & Boat Launch on Google Maps. For people camping on the lake I will pick you up at your campsite. It's an extra $10 if you are camping north of Three Sisters Islands.

DO NOT USE YOUR GPS TO FIND THE BOAT LAUNCH: If you use your GPS to find the boat launch it will take you to the north end of the lake; not the launch at the south end of the lake where I am waiting for you. From Hwy 7 go north on Road 509. Drive for 10 minutes and then turn left on Ardoch Road. About 2.5 km past Lodge Road (Where Tumblehome Lodge is) you will see a sign on the right that says Crotch Lake Access Road. Turn right, drive down through the parking lot to the water, drop your gear off and then park your vehicle.

2026 Rates:
• Full day is $200 US or $260 CND (one or two people) - usually 10 to 12 hours depending on the time of year and the length of the day in regards to sunlight. Most people don't want to stay out for a full 12 hours.

• Half day is $125 US or $160 CND (one or two people) - usually 5 to 6 hours.

I only accept cash: I supply the gas for my boat & worms for the people in my boat. In most cases guests are using and losing my fishing tackle.

My Boat:
I have a 16.5' Naden Big Fish with a 15hp Mercury Motor. I can only take two adults with me and maybe a child. If you have a larger group; your friends can follow us in other boats.

Washrooms on Crotch Lake: Crotch Lake is within the North Frontenac Parklands and has recently been classified as a biodiversity wilderness region and is now fully protected. Hundreds of people each year canoe down the Mississippi River and stop and camp on Crotch Lake for a night or two. There are many backcountry campsites dotted along the shore of the lake. Each campsite has an "Out", which is an outhouse without the house part. Some people call them thunder boxes. Each campsite will have a trail leading to the out, which is placed in a spot for privacy. In most cases it is easy to find an empty campsite where you can go if you need to.

Alcohol & Legalized Narcotics:

You cannot under any circumstances have open alcohol or leagalized narcotics ready for consumption in the boat. The fines in Ontario are monstrous.

2024 News: Three new species in the lake

• A guest of Tumblehom Lodge caught a gigantic Crappie. They are in most other lakes in the area so it was just a matter of time before finding them in Crotch. We have started catching small ones so they are breeding.

• My buddy Dan caught a Lake Herring (Cisco). It's the first one we have seen.

• While bass fishing in Twin Island Lake we discovered freshwater Jellyfish. They are called Peach Blosson Jellyfish and are an invasive species from China. Here is a video that George Jr. from Tumblehome took - www.imarket.ca/jellyfish/jellyfish.mp4