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 Hearne Lake is actually 2 lakes connected by what we call Moore Channel.  The smaller lake we named Finbear Lake.  The lodge is situated on the east side about middle of Hearne Lake, which is 13 miles long by 3 miles wide.

Hearne Lake ranges from 30 feet at the north river entrance to 200 feet, two thirds of the way south.  The bottom then drops off to reach 385 feet in places.  There are many islands and shallow structure throughout the lake making it easy to target the Lake Trout and Northern Pike.  Some of the best fishing is between the islands within sight of the lodge.  It is a bit narrower here and increases the catch ratio as they follow the baitfish through this funnel area.  We will spend many an evening here holding impromptu, after supper tournaments. The guest named this section “Trout Alley”.

The Beaulieu River enters Hearne Lake from the North and exits on the east a few miles south of the lodge.  Here it forms a 30-foot falls and rapids as it leaves our company to continue it’s winding journey south to flow into Great Slave Lake.  

To the North of Hearne Lake we have access to 13 miles or so of the Beaulieu River, where the boats are halted by a spectacular 40-foot waterfalls and rapids.  This is where the Arctic Grayling call home.  In 2006 a walking path was cleared on the west side of the river creating approximately 1000 yards of shoreline walking path.  We usually make this a group day trip, guided by myself the first time, so you can familiarize yourself with the 3 or so shallow parts.  The majority of the river is over 10 feet deep with a few of the small river lakes reaching 30 feet.  After your first free-guided trip you may return on your own if you wish.

A lot of the fly fisherman like to return up river with the tremendous Arctic Grayling fishery, while others like to spend more time on the main lake chasing trophy Lake Trout and Northern Pike.

Although it is not one of our main targets, the river holes also hold Walleye. They can however be very difficult to catch other than after ice out in June during their spawn.  

Within 5 minutes, directly across from the lodge, you can exit Hearne Lake by way of Moore channel, entering the smaller Finbear Lake.  We named this section of water, Finbear Lake, so when directing fisherman we could distinguish it from the main body of Hearne Lake that has the lodge and river access.  Finbear is about 6 miles long and has many shallow bays and rocky outcrops and a much shallower maximum depth of 85 feet.  This allows the water to reach higher summer temperatures than the deeper main body of Hearne.  This forces the Lake Trout to congregate in the deeper holes.  This can make for some non-stop action while jigging for Lake Trout.  You will also pick up Northern Pike at 40 feet and deeper.

A  6 wheel Argo and trailer has been added to the inventory of toys.   2 of the smaller adjacent lakes named Zigzag and Trout Lake can now be accessed by an old gold mine winter road from the past.   These 2 lakes have only been fished by a few regulars that were brave enough to walk the mile or so on the old gold mine winter road that connects many of these Canadian Shield Lakes.  In the past you were on your own when it came to fishing these trophy lakes and it was only done during the Northern Pike spawn in June and we restricted it to Fly fishing only.  This year we will be fishing these waters not only for Pike June Spawn (fly only) but also for Lake Trout and Northerns later in the season 9July August and September) allowing spin and bait cast at this time.  We would love for you to be one of the first to try your luck on these untouched lakes and will be offering this as a free day trip in 2008, to those who wish to truly be alone in “The Land Of The Midnight Sun”. 

One thing you can count on is that safety is our main concern and I, Don Stretch, do not sleep until all the boats and fisherman are in or accounted for on radio.

A 40 watt base GMRS station has been installed and can be reached from anywhere on the Lake in case of emergency or you are going to miss dinner because you are into a fish frenzy.  Each boat is also equipped with same communication system.  Fishing comes first.  No one ever goes hungry at Hearne Lake Lodge.

One comment that was given by a client last year was:  “It feels like we have always been friends and have been invited into your home...”

This makes us feel very proud of what we have built and accomplished since our opening in 1998.  We love what we do and it shows.

Don & Lucile