Johnston Island is located on an island archipelago south of the Crackingstone Peninsula, a huge mass which juts into the main basin of Lake Athabasca. The area is a tangled maze of islands, reefs and bays, with dozens of excellent spots for Lakers, Northerns and Arctic Grayling.
The lodge is in the heart of a sheltered bay at the east end of this seven mile long island. Protected by hills, the bay provides easy access to the many pike bays in the area as well as the prime trout fishing grounds on Lake Athabasca: Johnston Island is in the heart of the action.

Pike fishermen take note: Johnston Island's reputation may be primarily as a Lake Trout lodge, but the facts say otherwise. The Lakers Unlimited record pike - a 31 pounder - was caught at Johnston. Better, in late July this year our guide Bob Cottrell treated Frank McCurdy (a professional muskie guide) to several days of pike fishing he will certainly never forget. The first day they caught 300 pike, the next day 150, and the day after that they stopped counting. Too good to be true? Contact us & we'll put you in touch with Frank (although Frank may not want to share his little piece of pike nirvana).

(at left, guide Matthew Danyluk is holding a 20 pounder caught on a fly rod).

Twelve years ago Lakers Unlimited started here as a single lodge with a kitchen and dining area. Cooking was done over a campfire. How we’ve grown! In 2005 we completed a sixth guest cabin, and there are now three washrooms with two showers. In 2004 we installed a one micron water filtration system, so the tap water is safe to drink.

The main lodge has been greatly expanded over the years, and now includes the comfortable Sowers Lounge where guests can relax around a wood stove at the end of a day of battling big fish on Lake Athabasca.

Due south of us lie the Athabasca sand dunes, the fastest growing desert north of 58 degrees; the dunes are home to a delicate ecosystem which includes many endemic species. It's also home, at certain times, to some superb Laker fishing.


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 

 

Todd Cubbon with his beautiful 50 pound, 50 inch Laker.

Dustin Desmarteau with guide Ian Besse and a picture-perfect 42 pounder, June 2005.