Hearst Air Service Hearst, ON Call us toll free at:   1-866-844-5700   Hillmer Lake

In many ways, Hillmer Lake remains the standard for fly-in outpost sites in Northern Ontario. Multiple limits of 2 to 3-pounders, several 4's, and an occasional dandy 7-pounder are commonly caught, primarily on jigs. Additionally, the northern pike fishing is excellent, although more numbers than trophy fish.

Walleyes are found holding at typical locations throughout Hillmer Lake - weedbeds, sandbar drop-offs, sunken humps, shoals and points - but the best fishing centres around the mid-lake structural features - a single island, a massive reed bank, a shoal, a rocky outcropping, and a weedy flat - all within a minutes of the cabin. A second good area is a rocky shoreline near the cabin which falls quickly into 14 to 18 feet of water. This trench yields the biggest walleyes as well as some decent northerns. To fish the reeds, weeds and weedlines, look for isolated patches of broadleaf "cabbage". A jig ripped through the weeds will turn up some very aggressive walleyes. The rock pile immediately out from the cabin produces continuous walleye action. A brightly coloured jig tipped with a piece of worm will tempt plenty of hungry walleyes. To stay out of the rocks, fish those same jigs on safety-pin spinners, adding yet another attracting quality to your offerings.

Hillmer Lake offers numbers of pike as opposed to trophy fish - 3 to 6 pounders being the norm. However, each season, fish in the 10 to 14-pound class are caught here, so be prepared. Pike are everywhere in the lake, but especially numerous and aggressive in / near the weeds. The mid-lake reed bank offers predictable fishing, as do many of the lake's scattered "cabbage" weedbeds. In 6 to 8 feet of water, spinnerbaits, spinners, spoons, crankbaits, jerkbaits and safety-pin spinner-jigs will perform well. If you require additional information about any of the fishing or hunting packages that Hearst Air offers, please do not hesitate to contact us at your convenience. Call toll free at:  1-866-844-5700  or e-mail us at:   fish@hearstair.com