Cleftrock Lake

Cleftrock Lake: A Private Fly-In Outpost on a True Three-Lake Wilderness System

The Pinnacle of Remote Seclusion

Located 35 air miles from our base in Nestor Falls, Cleftrock Lake delivers a true private-lake fly-in experience. With only one cabin on the entire system, guests enjoy complete seclusion—no shared water, no competing boats, and no outside fishing pressure.

This destination is managed specifically for anglers who value high-quality Walleye and Northern Pike fishing in a rugged Canadian Shield setting where low pressure and careful stewardship have preserved the fishery for decades.

Mapping the Cleftrock Wilderness

The Cleftrock system sits in classic Canadian Shield terrain and is defined by a long, irregular lake shape with multiple arms, bays, and islands. It is a self-contained wilderness system, accessed by floatplane and explored by water and short portages.

The Core of the System

• Cleftrock Lake (Main Lake)
  Guests land directly on the main body of Cleftrock Lake by floatplane. The lake stretches roughly 2 miles in length and features tea-colored water—ideal habitat for Walleye. Underwater structure is varied and abundant, with rock spines, mid-lake humps, islands, saddles, and deep basins reaching up to 80 feet.
• Inflow and Outflow Water
  Cleftrock is unique in that it features both inflowing and outflowing water at opposite ends of the lake. These natural movement corridors create consistent travel routes and oxygenated areas that concentrate active fish throughout the season.

The Surrounding Lakes

Beyond the main lake, guests have access to additional waters within the greater system, each offering a distinct fishing character:

• Penassi Lake – A broader, dark-water lake located to the north, offering classic shield structure and expansive shoreline.
• Picture Narrows Lake – A long, narrow lake to the east, defined by pinch points and natural funnels that create textbook Walleye travel lanes.
• Elbow Lake – A sheltered, curved basin to the southwest, known for protected bays and ambush-style Pike water.

Together, these lakes form a true multi-lake wilderness experience, all isolated from outside access.

In clear, deep lakes, lake trout spend much of the day relating to structure that gives them quick access to different temperature zones. Humps, points, saddles, and steep breaks act like underwater highways, letting trout slide up to feed and drop back into stable water conditions.

Clarity also matters because it influences how trout hunt and how anglers should present baits.

In fly-in systems with low pressure, these patterns stay consistent year after year, which makes it easier to plan and repeat success.

If your goal is trophy potential, the best lakes are the ones that combine depth, oxygen, and structure in the same area—so you can target the “right water” instead of covering endless shoreline.

Target Species and Proven Tactics

Cleftrock is a specialist destination, centered on two of Northwestern Ontario’s most sought-after species.

• Walleye
  The tea-stained water allows for productive fishing throughout the day. Anglers consistently find success on mid-lake humps, island saddles, shoreline breaks, and near inflowing water.
• Northern Pike
  The irregular shoreline, weedy bays, and shallow rock transitions provide ideal casting water for aggressive Pike.

A Longstanding Conservation Ethic

To protect the quality of this remote system, a strict Trophy Release Policy has been in place since the 1980s. Trophy-class fish are photographed and released, preserving the genetics and ensuring exceptional fishing for future guests.

Comfortable, Well-Equipped Outpost Accommodations

• Off-Grid Comfort
• Well-Equipped Kitchen
• Boats and Motors
  

The fully equipped Cleftrock outpost cabin sleeps up to six guests and is designed to deliver comfort without sacrificing the wilderness experience.

Planning Your Flight

All trips depart from our base in Nestor Falls, with an average flight time of approximately 20 minutes to the Cleftrock dock. From the moment you lift off, you leave roads, crowds, and pressure behind—arriving directly at your private outpost in the heart of the Canadian Shield.

Cleftrock Lake Fishing

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