Go Back   Alberta Outdoorsmen Forum > Main Category > Fishing Discussion

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 04-21-2017, 03:28 PM
Mackay2144's Avatar
Mackay2144 Mackay2144 is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 77
Default Winefred Lake Wilderness Camp

Hey Guys,

Looking for info and feedback on the wilderness camp and Winefred lake.

Maybe some must haves when going there as well.

TIA
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 04-21-2017, 10:56 PM
dustinjoels dustinjoels is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 526
Default

I've been to the wilderness camp a few times. There are 5 cabins with wood stoves although I've never used the stoves and 4 plywood bunks. There are picnic tables and fire pits. There isn't power or water. Everything must be boated into and out of the camp across the lake to the sand river which is a few miles away.

It is rustic. Treat it like you were going on a trip in an outfitters tent where you had to pack everything in by boat. Air mattress, bedding, tarps, axe, generator, lights, and so on.

The road to the main lodge can be dicey when it rains. A half ton 4x4 is required a lot of the time to make it there. You park your truck at the main lodge, load your boats and go. You can boat back to the main lodge and buy fuel, ice, and get wood.

Fishing can be very good. Just ask the guys at the lodge dock who work there where to go. The main issue is wind. It's a large lake without a lot of cover. Sometimes even making it to the tent camp or leaving the camp is dangerous in a small boat.

Good luck if you decide to go and hopefully you get good weather.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 04-22-2017, 01:06 PM
Safety D Safety D is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,463
Default

Pretty rough spot to stay and the big flies are horrible there. Not very comfortable that's for sure. Better to launch at Pauls, have the comfort of your own boat also.
__________________
Safety D !!!
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 04-22-2017, 04:28 PM
Mackay2144's Avatar
Mackay2144 Mackay2144 is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 77
Default

Thanks guys.

What are the details on Pauls? What are his rates? How many cabins? Is there room to tent on your own or does he allow that?
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 04-22-2017, 05:06 PM
dustinjoels dustinjoels is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 526
Default

I believe that the rate at Paul's last year was $80/night per person not including boat rental if required. I'm not to sure how many cabins he has, but at least half a dozen I'd say.

I would say it would be very unlikely that you'd be allowed to set up a tent at Paul's. Only option for camping is at the grist lake campground which has very limited camping and the road in is atrocious.

If you want to fish Winifred, you pretty much need to go through the lodge or Paul's. And the cost will correlate to what you get from the lower end of the wilderness camp, up to Paul's, and then up to the lodge.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 04-22-2017, 05:08 PM
Safety D Safety D is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,463
Default

Just saying you could probably launch at Pauls he charges 65 bucks. Then have all your stuff in your boat and use that camp at sand River.
__________________
Safety D !!!
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 04-22-2017, 06:02 PM
dustinjoels dustinjoels is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 526
Default

Yeah you could probably launch at Paul's and go find an island somewhere to camp on or go further up river from the wilderness camp at the sand river.

Paul charges a launch fee and a day rate, but it would be the cheapest option if that's your goal.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 04-22-2017, 06:52 PM
Safety D Safety D is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,463
Default

Even just stay at that camp. There is hardly anyone there and they really can't do a lot of you do. They don't own that land. Pauls a dink and he raises his rates by the week up there.
__________________
Safety D !!!
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 04-22-2017, 07:17 PM
dustinjoels dustinjoels is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 526
Default

Why not just set up a tent in between the buildings of the main lodge if that's how you feel about it? They do have a business license to run that camp as part of their business lease.

Personally I wouldn't use someone else's camp. Mostly because I'm not a dick.

As far as Paul goes, charge whatever people are willing to pay just like any other business.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 04-22-2017, 07:45 PM
Mackay2144's Avatar
Mackay2144 Mackay2144 is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 77
Default

Thanks guys.

Put a call in with Pauls and an email. Hoping to hear back from him soon. Also have talked with the lodge about the tents just in case Pauls doesn't work out.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 04-22-2017, 08:53 PM
Safety D Safety D is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,463
Default

Good luck hearing back from Paul. Don't wait by the phone to long .....
__________________
Safety D !!!
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 04-22-2017, 09:16 PM
wellpastcold wellpastcold is offline
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 583
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Safety D View Post
Good luck hearing back from Paul. Don't wait by the phone to long .....
He is an interesting character that's for sure!
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 04-22-2017, 09:31 PM
Mackay2144's Avatar
Mackay2144 Mackay2144 is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 77
Default

That's what I have heard, it's to bad he takes so long, probably loses bookings due to it. More than likely unless I hear back from him next week we will be headed to the wilderness camp...
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 04-22-2017, 10:00 PM
Safety D Safety D is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,463
Default

He's an idiot. Been ripping people off for years. Show up at his camp. Get your Vaseline jar out when he charges you 75 dollars to launch then go do your thing. Best way to maximize your money and time on the lake. That's what I do.
__________________
Safety D !!!
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 04-22-2017, 10:20 PM
catnthehat's Avatar
catnthehat catnthehat is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Ft. McMurray
Posts: 38,526
Default

$75 to launch a Bloody boat??!!
Jeepers that is nothing but robbery!!
Cat
__________________
Anytime I figure I've got this long range thing figured out, I just strap into the sling and irons and remind myself that I don't!
Reply With Quote
  #16  
Old 04-22-2017, 10:46 PM
Safety D Safety D is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,463
Default

Yip 50 to launch. 25 to park. It's a complete joke. He used to charge 25 which is fair. He's a money hungry gouger. He's only interested in you if your showering him with money. Honestly one of the biggest peice of s--t I've ever met.
__________________
Safety D !!!
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 04-22-2017, 11:35 PM
Blastoff Blastoff is offline
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Canterbury
Posts: 1,315
Default

Safety D I wouldn't want your business with your comments, the lodge does the same so why don't you beat them too.
If you don't want to pay go someone where else. The lodge used to cater to oil patch and prices went crazy, now these people are after us fisherman or hunters

Last edited by catnthehat; 04-23-2017 at 04:52 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 04-22-2017, 11:52 PM
Safety D Safety D is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,463
Default

I'm entitled to my opinion. I am a oil patch guy/ avid fisherman. At least from what I hear the lodge people are nice and treat you descent. I pay my 75 bucks and get my fred fix once a year. So ya I get greased just like anyone else. But the nice thing is once you get on the water it's all forgotten about. !!!!
__________________
Safety D !!!
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 04-23-2017, 07:03 AM
idaman idaman is offline
Banned
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 201
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Blastoff View Post
Safety D I wouldn't want your business with your comments, the Fr--Ken lodge does the same so why don't you beat them too.
If you don't want to pay go someone where else. The lodge used to cater to oil patch and prices went crazy, now these people are after us fisherman or hunters
Safety D is 100% correct about those that clown thinks he owns the lake, so not a ton different than the lodge, but he takes DB to a whole new level. Which is why I use the public launch now. Plenty of primitive camping and no ridiculous costs, other than a major truck wash if it's greasy. Take your time in that road you'll be fine.
Reply With Quote
  #20  
Old 04-23-2017, 02:23 PM
Safety D Safety D is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,463
Default

That's a pretty tough road have not been on it in years. The boat launch did look shallow not sure if you can launch a bigger boat there ? Ya if you have a tough truck that's the way to go !!!
__________________
Safety D !!!
Reply With Quote
  #21  
Old 04-23-2017, 03:28 PM
dustinjoels dustinjoels is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 526
Default

There are some nasty rocks out front of the public launch now that the water is lower than it used to be. Go slow and be watchful or you'll be replacing your prop.

I'd rather pay Paul $75 than pound that road to the public launch. The abuse on your equipment far exceeds $75.
Reply With Quote
  #22  
Old 04-23-2017, 03:58 PM
Safety D Safety D is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,463
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by dustinjoels View Post
There are some nasty rocks out front of the public launch now that the water is lower than it used to be. Go slow and be watchful or you'll be replacing your prop.

I'd rather pay Paul $75 than pound that road to the public launch. The abuse on your equipment far exceeds $75.
Agreed
__________________
Safety D !!!
Reply With Quote
  #23  
Old 04-24-2017, 11:12 AM
Mackay2144's Avatar
Mackay2144 Mackay2144 is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 77
Default

Anybody have pictures of the wilderness camp by chance?
Reply With Quote
  #24  
Old 04-24-2017, 11:18 AM
Safety D Safety D is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,463
Default

No pics but when I stopped there it's pretty rough. Plus it's not used much. I've stopped there several times over the years of peak fishing and no
One there. It's not maintained and the cabins are in poor condition. I would just launch at Pauls and stay there. If the flies are out you won't be able
To stand it there
__________________
Safety D !!!
Reply With Quote
  #25  
Old 04-24-2017, 02:40 PM
Mister Bee Mister Bee is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 104
Default

And I'm sure Paul gives everyone a receipt and he claims all his boat launching revenue to cra. Jus sayin'
Reply With Quote
  #26  
Old 04-24-2017, 03:05 PM
Safety D Safety D is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,463
Default

Someone call revenue Canada on that guy !!!
__________________
Safety D !!!
Reply With Quote
  #27  
Old 04-24-2017, 03:13 PM
EZM's Avatar
EZM EZM is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Edmonton
Posts: 11,851
Default

I think the biggest issue here is the Lodge constructed and maintains the launch. They built it, they can charge whatever they want.

I'm pretty certain the government punched the road in and built the launch into Paul's camp and the lease he pays gives him zero jurisdiction over that road allowance or the launch. I could be wrong. If that is the case, it's a bit greasy to charge those exorbitant fees isn't it?

This is the exact same scenario as the guys on South Buck (on south end) who jump out the bushes to try and charge you to launch next door to their business when, in fact, the county built, maintains and operates the public launch. Greasy.
Reply With Quote
  #28  
Old 04-24-2017, 03:29 PM
Safety D Safety D is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,463
Default

You haven't met Paul. They don't get any greasier !!!!!! I hope he's reading this too
__________________
Safety D !!!
Reply With Quote
  #29  
Old 05-14-2017, 02:36 PM
KUDUHNTR's Avatar
KUDUHNTR KUDUHNTR is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Near Lac La Biche, Ab.
Posts: 575
Default

This will be our fourth season at Pauls, he has treated us decent and fair. The facilities, shower house, out houses are top notch. the cabins are cozy and clean, etc. The fish cleaning station is great also. I have been to Winefred lake Lodge in the past, but have chose not to go back due to the service and attitude of the new owners. Paul maintains his own road, and I can attest that it is much better than the road to the Winefred lake lodge for sure, and many kms shorter. They should hold the Plamondon mud bogs on the road to Winefred lake lodge! Although I take my own boat, Paul has fairly new 16' lund boats, motors, etc. The $80.00 per night per person, which I think is fair, considering all the dishes, propane, bedding, and power, etc is included. And unlike Winefred Lake lodge, we were able to use and enjoy the fire-pit at Pauls! I will be going June 1st this year, hope all the ice is gone by then! I am fairly certain that the road maintenance into Paul's is on his dime and time. Anyways, I think it's a great place, and paul and Sheri have treated us fair, and are great hosts, and we will continue to go back there in the future. Will give an update on the fishing when we get back!
Attached Images
File Type: jpg DSC06627.jpg (108.9 KB, 216 views)
File Type: jpg DSC06631.jpg (97.2 KB, 195 views)
File Type: jpg DSC05159.JPG (101.4 KB, 177 views)
Reply With Quote
  #30  
Old 05-14-2017, 04:39 PM
35 whelen 35 whelen is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: GRAND PRAIRIE
Posts: 5,720
Default

Is it $80 per person per night for cabin boat launch just bring your own food

Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Tapatalk
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 07:36 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.5
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.