A Canadian Fall Tradition Begins
There’s something special about fall in Northwest Ontario’s Sunset Country. The air is crisp, the colors are rich, and the fish are hungry. This week’s journey brings us to the legendary shores of Eagle Lake, a destination known for its world-class multi-species fishing. Our mission: to chase after walleyes, muskies, and smallmouth bass—while maybe bagging a few grouse along the way. We’re based at Birchdale Lodge, situated right in the heart of Eagle Lake, giving us perfect access to the diverse structure and fisheries this incredible body of water offers.
Early Success: Walleyes on the Feed
The action started quickly. A classic fall walleye bite unfolded just as we hoped. A hard hit, followed by a heavy bend in the rod, and soon we had our first quality walleye in the boat. It was barely hooked—typical of aggressive fall feeders. 
With each drop of the jigging rap, we found ourselves into more fish. We focused on deep-water humps ranging from 25 to 35 feet. The electronics lit up with marks, and our presentations connected again and again. When walleyes are stacked like this, it’s a matter of putting in the time to find them and using the right technique. In this case, it was the ever-effective jigging rap.
Mastering the Jigging Rap Technique
A jigging rap may be traditionally associated with ice fishing, but it shines in deep open water during fall. We often cast it out rather than fish it vertically. Let it fall to bottom, snap it up sharply, then let it fall again on slack line. This erratic motion mimics injured baitfish and drives walleyes wild.
A critical part of the presentation is equipment. The setup includes a 7’1” St. Croix Icon medium-power, moderate-fast rod paired with a 2500-size reel. A Daiwa Regal LT was the reel of choice, spooled with 10-lb Sufix 832 braid in high-vis yellow and a 12-lb Sufix Advance fluorocarbon leader. A barrel swivel helped prevent line twist. The key here was ergonomics—keeping the hand in front of the reel seat and the rod butt against the forearm reduced fatigue and maximized power.
Watching the line closely was essential, as many hits came on the fall. A subtle twitch in the line often meant a fish had taken the bait—something we quickly capitalized on with solid hooksets.
Slot Limits and Healthy Populations
One of the reasons Eagle Lake is such a productive walleye fishery is its slot limit regulation, typically protecting fish between 18 and 23 inches. These regulations help maintain a balanced population and allow for the continual presence of trophy-caliber fish. It’s a proven model for success, and Eagle Lake is a testament to how well it works.
Cold Front? No Problem. The Muskies Are Biting
With temperatures dropping, wind howling, and clouds rolling in, we changed tactics. Fall cold fronts can stall bites, but in the world of muskie fishing, they often trigger big fish to feed. We dropped the trolling baits and within minutes had a massive muskie on.
Trolling at 3 to 4 mph allowed us to cover vast stretches of Canadian Shield water, identifying structure and transitions quickly. Even in poor conditions, trolling is one of the best ways to catch and locate muskies. On this day, it paid off with a truly giant fish barely hooked—but landed after a dramatic fight. It was the kind of muskie that makes anglers dream of Eagle Lake.
A Fall Multi-Species Feast
No sooner had we put the big muskie in the net than we doubled up on smallmouth bass. This wasn’t just a fish here or there—we had found a massive school. These smallmouths were aggressive, powerful, and absolutely locked in on a jig-and-plastic combo worked right over rocky structure.
Fall bass fishing in Sunset Country is all about locating concentrations of fish, and when you find them, the action can be nonstop. The technique was simple: a jig rolled along the bottom, mimicking a baitfish or crayfish. The reward? Thick, healthy bronzebacks fattening up for winter.
Fall Fishing Adventure in Sunset Country: Walleyes, Muskies & More on Eagle Lake
Part 2: Epic Multi-Species Action & Fall Traditions in Ontario’s Wilderness
Gear Simplicity, Big Results
One of the best parts about fishing Eagle Lake in the fall is how much action you can get with relatively simple gear. While we had a few specialized rods for jigging raps and plastics, the reality is that a well-balanced spinning combo—a 7-foot medium power, fast action rod, paired with a 2500-size reel and 10-pound braid—can get you in the game for nearly every species here, from walleye and smallmouth bass to even pike.
A handful of jigs, plastics, and a few jigging raps is all you really need to tap into this fishery. Sure, muskies may require heavier, more specific gear, but for nearly everything else, simplicity rules. And with that basic setup in hand, we kept stacking up the fish.
Subtle Tactics for Big Bass
Smallmouth bass in the fall can be predictable in one way—they love rocks. The biggest, roundest boulders you can find are where they tend to stack up. And the technique to catch them? Surprisingly subtle.
Instead of aggressive snaps like you’d use for walleyes, we slowly pulled our jigs just above the rocks, hovering them with three- or four-inch plastics. No wild jerks—just steady, deliberate movements, lifting and pulling just enough to keep the bait in the strike zone. And the bass were all over it.
Fish after fish came to the boat—healthy, fat, and fighting hard. Each one a reminder of how dialed-in fall fish become when preparing for winter. This time of year, their feeding urgency means anglers who find them can stay busy with rod-bending action.
The Magic of Multi-Species in One Place
There are few places in the world where you can catch trophy-caliber walleye, muskie, and smallmouth bass all in the same day. But Eagle Lake offers exactly that. Add in bonus species like northern pike, and it’s easy to see why this part of Ontario is so revered among multi-species anglers.
With each fish landed, we were reminded how special this place is—not just because of the quantity of fish, but the quality. Fat, healthy specimens, no matter the species. Fall fishing in Sunset Country isn’t just good—it’s exceptional.
Beyond the Boat: Ontario’s Upland Tradition
Fishing may have been the main mission, but this trip included another cherished fall tradition: grouse hunting. Jeremy Smith and I have explored these backcountry roads and trails for years, and there’s something deeply satisfying about walking through Ontario’s boreal woods, shotgun in hand, in pursuit of ruffed grouse.
This region is rich with public land, offering endless opportunity to explore wilderness settings rarely touched by man. For anyone who appreciates wild landscapes, wild game, and the freedom of public land access, Sunset Country is a dream come true. It’s an immersive experience—equal parts adventure, sport, and serenity.
We harvested some beautiful birds, surrounded by stunning fall foliage and endless horizon lines. And with a full stringer and full hearts, we returned to camp with plans to savor the hunt in the most delicious way.
Fly-In Quality, Drive-To Access
As the trip neared its end, we found ourselves marveling at how good the fishing was—again. “It’s like a fly-in,” we kept saying, and it truly felt that way. We didn’t have to charter a plane to get here, and yet we were catching fish after fish, often right beneath the boat.
That’s the beauty of Eagle Lake and Birchdale Lodge. You can drive in, bring your own boat, and still enjoy the kind of remote-quality angling you’d expect from far more difficult-to-reach locations. And unlike some drive-to spots that offer numbers but not size, Eagle Lake has both. Trophy-class fish and tons of action.
One for the Books
Our last moments on the water produced what might’ve been the biggest walleye of the trip—an absolute tank, thick and powerful, showcasing the kind of quality this lake consistently delivers. It was the perfect cap to a trip filled with highlights.
Walleye after walleye. A monster muskie. Schooling smallmouth. Grouse in the timber. And a connection to nature that’s hard to find elsewhere.
Fall in Sunset Country isn’t just a season—it’s a state of mind. And Eagle Lake is its crown jewel. If you’re looking for an unforgettable fishing and hunting adventure, look no further. This place has everything. And we’ll be back.
Trip Summary at a Glance
- Location: Eagle Lake, Ontario – Sunset Country
- Lodge: Birchdale Lodge
- Target Species: Walleye, Muskie, Smallmouth Bass, Grouse
- Top Techniques:
- Jigging Raps on deep humps for walleye
- Jig and plastic hovered over boulders for smallmouth
- Trolling big baits for muskies
- Key Gear:
- 7’ Medium Power Spinning Rods
- 2500-size Reels with 10-lb Braid
- Jigging Raps, 3–4” Plastics, Fluorocarbon Leaders
- Bonus: Public land grouse hunting in pristine boreal wilderness
We came for the fish, and we left with so much more.
