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Smoothrock Lake Outpost

Pipestone Fly-In Outposts

Smoothrock Lake, Ontario — Near Emo, Ontario (airbase area)

Max Guests 10
Access fly-in
Season May – September
Pricing $$

About This Outpost

Nestled in the woods, this big, roomy cabin offers pure comfort with a beautiful view of Smoothrock Lake. Excellent for larger groups and families. Walleye can be caught right off the dock almost any time of year. The pools and beautiful Spring rapids that flow in within a mile of camp ensure consistent fishing throughout the year. The cabin sits by a small stream entering the lake at the end of a bay.

Reviews & Reputation

4.5
Based on 2 reviews from across the web
Summarized Review Highlights

Pipestone Fly-In Outposts earns consistently strong praise across reviews, with guests rating their experiences at the top of the scale. Reviewers who have used multiple fly-in outfitters over the years place Pipestone above the competition, and at least one guest has returned for four trips without a single disappointing experience. The overall tone across reviews is one of genuine enthusiasm and loyalty, with several guests saying they actively recommend the outfitter to others in the fishing community.

Guests repeatedly highlight the quality of the people running the operation. Owner Mike Henry is singled out for his honesty, follow-through, and personal attention — including knowing guests by name before they even arrive. Staff member Kelly is described as personable and welcoming. The bush plane pilots, including one named Tristan, are praised for professionalism and skill. Beyond the staff, reviewers note that the cabins are well-maintained and among the best they have encountered, and that the equipment is reliable and in good working order. The fishing itself is described as great, though reviews do not go into specific species or catch details.

There are no recurring complaints or concerns in the reviews provided — every reviewer reports a positive experience across all aspects of the trip. Based on the feedback, this outfitter appears best suited for anglers who have done fly-in trips before and want a step up in quality, as well as repeat visitors who value consistency and personal service. Groups of fishing buddies looking for a well-organized, reliable remote experience with attentive hosts would likely find it a strong fit.

Summary generated May 25, 2026
Read all 2 reviews
Forum
Loved Smoothrock with Thunderhook – Great September Pike Trip
I fished Smoothrock last September with Thunderhook Outfitters and loved it. Only got one big pike (September can be tough), but the fish my boat partner caught had a head as big as an alligator LOL!
This lodge
Forum
Multiple Great Trips via Thunderhook – Outposts and Smoothrock
Are you going through Thunderhook Fly-ins? We used them for multiple trips to different fly-in outposts (Moonshine, Linklater, and Funger). Funger is actually on the same system and connected to Smoothrock. If you go up the arm of the lake between Smoothrock and Funger most of it will be fairly shallow (3 to 6 feet deep). But you will hit one stretch that is deeper, probably 25 or 30 feet deep. The walleyes and some northerns were just stacked in this hole. Each person could catch 100 walleyes a day if you wanted to (we did for a couple of days). The fish were not big (most 14 to 19 inches) but the action was non-stop, many, many doubles. The owners are really nice and we always had a good experience on their trips. We typically did not get any really big fish (over 25 inches for walleyes) but always had lots of action.
This lake

Lake Information

More than 35 miles long but very narrow, allowing great fishing even on windy days. Known for Walleye, Northern Pike, and Lake Trout. Consistent producer with rapids and pools near camp.

Lake Name
Smoothrock Lake
Province
Ontario, Wabakimi Provincial Park
Lake Structure
Pools, spring rapids, stream inlet, narrow lake allowing fishing even on windy days
Fishing Pressure
Catch & Release policy enforced; trophy fish must be released

Fish Species

walleye pike lake trout

Accommodations

Lodging Type
Cabin
Max Guests
10
Bedrooms
3
Amenities
Electricity: Yes - solar
Running Water: Yes
Hot Water: Yes
Shower: Yes
Toilet: flush
Emergency Radio

Other: BBQ Grill, Fish Fryer, Charging Stations, Sleep Apnea Machine Ready, Fully Equipped Kitchen (refrigerator, freezer, stove, oven, cooking and eating utensils), Large Scale Map

Boats & Equipment

Boats Included
5
Boat Length
14ft, 16ft, and 18ft aluminum (depending on lake)
Seat Type
Swivel seats with backrests
Gas Included
Yes - mixed gas and propane included

Meals & Services

Meal Plan
Housekeeping
Meals Included
No - guests bring own groceries
Guide Service
not available

What's Included

Included

Round trip float plane flight, modern facilities (hot & cold running water, showers, indoor toilet), fully equipped kitchen with refrigerator/freezer/stove/oven/gas grill/deep fryer/cooking and eating utensils/3 separate rooms, emergency radio communication, aluminum boats, new motors yearly, swivel seats with backrests, mixed gas and propane, large scale map, friendly personalized service

Not Included

Groceries, fishing licenses, applicable taxes; fuel surcharge may apply

Getting There

Access: fly-in

Air Base: Baudette, MN / Emo, Ontario area

Flight Time: 90 minutes

Season & Booking

Season: May to September

Minimum Stay: 4 days

Contact

Pipestone Fly-In Outposts
Armstrong, Ontario

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