Description
About the Kluke Family & our Tradition of Hospitality:
Merkel's Camp has been operating since 1963 and is a family tradition. In all aspects Merkel's Camp is 100% owned and operated by Canadians. It began with Terry's grandparents, Clarence and Violet Merkel. Together they built four cabins and their home. Terry has been a part of the camp all his life; beginning with riding the bulldozer as it built the road into camp and later helping out in all aspects of camp life as he got older from dockboy to guide and all the dirty jobs in between! Terry purchased the camp in 1983. Since then we've added another larger cabin, more fully serviced trailer sites and a "Drive to Outpost" cabin, one hour from our main camp. We married in 1989 and have two children Maddison and Sawyer.We live year round at our camp and work very hard to create an atmosphere that makes our guests want to come back, again and again. We have an ideal location on Wabigoon Lake and most guests rarely venture further than 1-3 miles from camp for excellent fishing! You're Pleasure is our Business! This has become our motto due to the excellent service and accommodations we've provided for our guests in the past years. We have had many compliments on our camp and have built a strong return clientele. We'll be providing this same quality of service & accommodations for many years to come!
Fish Available:
Crappie Lake Trout Muskie Northern Pike Perch Smallmouth Bass Walleye
Game animals:
Bear Wolf Moose Duck Grouse Whitetail Deer
Attractions:
Canoes ATVs Snowmobiles Paddle boat Kayaks Water Skiing
Features:
Firepit Playground RV Park Horseshoes Basketball Soccer
Transportation Included: No
Game Animals: Bear, Wolf, Deer, Duck, Grouse
Wolf Hunting: Mystical and elusive, wolves melt into the forest like ghosts forever haunting the minds of their prey. They travel through the forest in silence working as a team with ... morean intelligence man does not understand and is sometimes unappreciated. A single Wolf will chase prey into an ambush area where the rest of the pack is waiting. Hunting a Wolf will take all your patients and hunting skills as they are truly the most prestigious game available. Hunting a top predator is a challenge you will never forget.
Hunting down live prey takes a lot of energy so wolves are also opportunists. They can smell blood from many miles away and frequently visit our baiting stands for an easy meal so we know where they are. The Wolf hunt is much more interesting then that. Outsmarting wolves means having an outfitter that knows their strategy and scouts out what game trails they are using. In the winter Wolves like to chase their prey out into the open on frozen lakes and then constantly harass the animal until it's exhausted and easy to take down. Knowing where the deer and moose are moving and knowing where the wolves' favorite places to ambush is key to placement of the hunting stands. Not knowing means disappointment.
Merkel's Camp has been providing fishing/ Wolf hunting packages since 1963 and is one of the original outfitters in this area. Wolf hunting has been a family tradition for almost 50 years at Merkel's Camp. Terry grew up learning all the skills from his father and grandfather necessary to becoming the top Wolf hunting outfitters in Ontario. To add to your success, we limit the number of hunters to make sure you have excellent service and a successful hunt. Our stands are pre-baited and active upon your arrival or you can hunt the prime ambush areas.
Transportation Included: No
Hunting Inclusions: Cold Storage, Bait, Active Stands
Whitetail Deer Hunting: Merkel's Camp has been providing fishing/hunting packages since 1963 and is one of the original Whitetail Deer hunting outfitters in this area. We offer an ... moreexclusive hunting package tailored to specifically suit your needs, whether rifle hunting or archery hunting. We limit the number of hunters to make sure you have quality service and a successful hunt. We hunt primarily private land in areas where there are tremendous opportunities for a large trophy buck.
Our camp is located along the section of the Trans Canada Highway that makes up the northern boundary of the famous Whitetail Triangle. Our area, without question, has the best fare-chase wild Whitetail Buck hunting in the world. It has become a Mecca for deer hunters from all over North America. Even hunters in Europe have started reading about Northwestern Ontario in the many hunting publications that keep getting drawn back to writing stories about Ontario's gigantic bucks. We are on the north-shore of Wabigoon Lake between the towns of Dryden and Dinorwic. Merkel's Camp is smack-dab in the middle Whitetail Central.
Why are the Bucks here?
The Trans Canada highway is actually the original trail the pioneers used to colonize Canada. Settlers from the east traveled west along the trail and as land on the prairies was claimed, people started settling farther east into Ontario. There were some flat areas for farming here and there but most settlers cleared the land themselves to make their own farms. This changed the environment. You have hundreds of thousands of square miles of total wilderness, thousands of lakes and stream and now thrown into the mix are corn farms peppering the landscape both north and south of the trail. Combine this new food source with the fact that Whitetail Deer in the far north are genetically larger and stronger in order to survive the harsh winters and you get the biggest Whitetails in the world. Whitetail Deer are also more aggressive in the far north because they need to defend themselves from the never-ending encroachment of wolves. This is a recipe for the best deer hunting in the world. Now in modern times you can add logging to the recipe. Loggers clear out old growth forest and allow new grasses and berries bushes to grow, which is a very important food source for Whitetail Deer, Moose, Black Bears and many other critters. The Whitetail Deer population has never been higher and the bucks just keep getting bigger and bigger.
The Hunt:
Merkel's Camp has an 8 point minimum to ensure trophies for now and the future. An 8 point beyond the ears will score between 130 and160 B&C. Usually these racks have great mass providing a nice trophy. Each year there are several bucks spotted and harvested, which are well above the 160 B&C Score. Some are over the 200 B&C. Each hunter will hunt an area, which has not been hunted that year by any of our hunters. The bucks taken are an average of 275 lbs field dressed and have some up to 380 lbs. Generally they are in the 300 plus range. Most of our hunters prefer fair chase hunts with 70% success. Baited stands are available if that is the hunter's choice.
Merkel's Camp Whitetail Deer Hunt includes:
Extensive pre-scouting and orientation
Delicious home cooked meals
Very comfortable accommodation
Deer hunting License ($224)
Assistance with retrieval and skinning of deer
Transportation Included: No
Hunting Inclusions: Export Permits, Cold Storage, Bait, Quartering service, Active Stands
Black Bear Hunting: Merkel's Camp has been providing fishing/Black Bear hunting packages since 1963 and is one of the original Black Bear hunting outfitters in this area. Our bear ... moremanagement area has over 250 square miles of prime Black Bear habitat. We offer an exclusive bear hunt package tailored to specifically suit you, whether rifle hunting or archery hunting.
Our stands are pre-baited a minimum of 2 years in advance of your hunt, which is why our bear hunting guests experience an unusually high success rate. Sightings at our stands are so plentiful that hunters can have the confidence to pass on smaller bears and wait for the big old boars to come in. Some stands are baited 5-7 years before they are hunted. We limit the number of hunters we guide; therefore, combined with our extensive baiting, knowledge and great service, you can be assured a quality hunting experience! Most of our bears range in the 275-500 lb range with the potential for a huge bear.
Bears in the 400+ pound range are considered trophies. Ontario's vast wilderness, combined with all the berry bushes growing in the logged areas, has produced enough food for bears to get bigger than ever before. Just a couple of years ago a 780 pound bear was harvested by Ken Loya Jr., which turned out to be an Ontario record for crossbow. An 850 pound Black Bear was found dead at the dump and a 1000 pound Black Bear was hit and killed by a logging truck on highway 11. We don't want you to think you are going to be able to see an extraordinary trophy bear like these but our baiting efforts do bring in much bigger bears than most other outfitters. We bait years in advance while most outfitters only bait three weeks in advance.
Black Bear Hunt includes:
Guaranteed active stands on arrival
Extensive baiting
Bear Hunting license
Accommodations (housekeeping cabin) (based on 2 person rate, less with more people)
Assistance with skinning, tracking and retrieval
Bear meat and hide freezer space
Transportation Included: No
Hunting Inclusions: Hunting Licenses, Cold Storage, Bait, Quartering service, Active Stands
Little Basket Lake has amazing Walleye and Northern Pike fishing as well as Lake Trout fishing. Little Basket Lake is a hidden bay of the main Basket Lake.... more
Our 24' X 40' Drive-In Outpost cabin is located on Little Basket Lake with water access to Big Basket and the Basket River. Our modern cabin has 3 bedrooms and will accommodate up to 10 comfortably. 2 of the bedrooms have 2 sets of bunk beds each, with the lower bunk being a double and the upper a single. The 3rd bedroom has a queen bed.
Guests are required to bring their own bedding, towels and personal item to the outpost cabin. Most of the conveniences of home await you with hot and cold running water, bathroom, shower and sink plus a glassed-in wood burning stove for heat. The power is solar with a generator for back up, so you have complete peace and quiet. You'll find the large fully modern kitchen and living area to be ideal for socializing and preparing a great meal at the end of the day! An evening in the screened porch brings a perfect end to a great day on the lake. There is also a large deck attached to the cabin with seating around the sides.
There are 2 propane fridges with freezers along with a propane stove and gas grill. All dishes, pots/pans, cutlery etc are provided. There is satellite TV and a DVD machine. The 14'X 16' sauna, long dock and sandy beach beckons you to swim and enjoy your amazing surroundings. The screened fish cleaning house has running water, stainless sink and concrete floor. This all help to get the job done in comfort!
The Package Rate includes : Cabin, Boats, Motors & Gas.
Check In : Saturday - 2:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Check Out : Saturday - 9:00 AM
Accommodation: Remote Outpost
Transportation Included: No
Fishing Inclusions: Screened Fish Cleaning Building, Running Water, Minnows, Ice
Fish Available: Lake Trout, Northern Pike, Walleye
Little Basket Lake has amazing Walleye and Northern Pike fishing as well as Lake Trout fishing. Little Basket Lake is a hidden bay of the main Basket Lake.... more
Our 24' X 40' Drive-In Outpost cabin is located on Little Basket Lake with water access to Big Basket and the Basket River. Our modern cabin has 3 bedrooms and will accommodate up to 10 comfortably. 2 of the bedrooms have 2 sets of bunk beds each, with the lower bunk being a double and the upper a single. The 3rd bedroom has a queen bed.
Guests are required to bring their own bedding, towels and personal item to the outpost cabin. Most of the conveniences of home await you with hot and cold running water, bathroom, shower and sink plus a glassed-in wood burning stove for heat. The power is solar with a generator for back up, so you have complete peace and quiet. You'll find the large fully modern kitchen and living area to be ideal for socializing and preparing a great meal at the end of the day! An evening in the screened porch brings a perfect end to a great day on the lake. There is also a large deck attached to the cabin with seating around the sides.
There are 2 propane fridges with freezers along with a propane stove and gas grill. All dishes, pots/pans, cutlery etc are provided. There is satellite TV and a DVD machine. The 14'X 16' sauna, long dock and sandy beach beckons you to swim and enjoy your amazing surroundings. The screened fish cleaning house has running water, stainless sink and concrete floor. This all help to get the job done in comfort!
Check In : Saturday - 2:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Check Out : Saturday - 9:00 AM
Accommodation: Remote Outpost
Transportation Included: No
The Package Includes: Two Adults & Children under 18 Years Living with Parents Housekeeping Cabin One Boat with HP Motor Electric Trolling Motor... more
100 Liters of Gas
Minnows, Ice, Laundromat and Shower facilities available.
Transportation Included: No
Check In Time : After 11:00AM Check Out : 8:00 AM The Rental rates allows you to make use of Docking, Launching and Electric at Dock for Private Boats Free of Cost.
Transportation Included: No
Services
Dryden ATV Trails: Merkel's Camp is in the middle of ATV Heaven. Within 50 miles of camp are over 450 miles of groomed snowmobile trails, which are used as ATV trails in the summer. ... moreOn top of that there is an extra 300 miles of rough trails where basically the only maintenance is done by ATVers clearing logs that have fallen. These trails are much more challenging and must be used with extreme precaution and safety. They will bring you though all kinds of conditions including swamps, sand, rocks and bush.
There are also endless game trails and old logging roads and paths spidering through the bush. ATVers should bring a compass and GPS because it's easy to get lost in the labyrinth of trails and roads. The benefits are endless adventures as well as access to small hidden lakes that almost never get fished by humans.There are mechanics that specialize in ATV repair in Dryden as well as dealers and stores that sell all the accessories and replacement fluids you need for your ATV. We invite you to bring your ATVs. We only ask that a proper muffler in good working condition is on your ATV and in the morning and night you try to be quiet and respect our other guests.
Snowmobiling: The area's winter economy is driver by snowmobilers, which is why the community goes to great lengths to make sure snowmobile enthusiast have a great and safe snowmobile ... morevacation. In town are mechanics specializing in snow machines as well as stores that sell parts, fluids and accessories. The real draw is the trails. Just in a 60 mile circumference of Dryden is over 500 miles of groomed snowmobile trails. There are a number of snowmobile clubs based out of various towns that keep the trails in great condition and safe from fallen trees and other debris. Here at Merkel's Camp we are open all winter and welcome snowmobilers with open arms. After a long day of exploring the many trails you will have the comfort knowing there are warm and cozy accommodations waiting for you back at camp.
Services: Seasonal Rate - Camping Only, Seasonal Rate - Camping with own Boat Only
- Each Additional Person (After 2 People) will be charged $3 extra
Wabigoon lake Campground & RV Park: We have 20 amp service in our RV park camping sites, which is plenty to operate AC, furnace etc. There are 9 fully serviced sites, all located ... morebeside the lake, along with a roomy pull-through for larger units.
Our laundromat has two washers and a coin operated dryer, located in our RV park. There are restrooms and showers located in the same building.
Services: Seasonal Rate - Camping Only, Seasonal Rate - Camping with own Boat Only
- All Bot & Motor Rentals Include 100 Litres of Gas, Electric Trolling Motor, Depth Finder, Minnow Bucket and Net.
- No one under 18 Years of age are allowed to operate the rental Boat
Here at Merkel's Camp we know how important your boat is to you and how important it is to have strong sturdy docks. We have great docks that are wide and have plenty of room. At Merkel's ... moreCamp, we have a protected bay to keep your boat safe in all kinds of wind! We moor our 22' sailboat in the bay in the worst winds imaginable and it barely moves!
The docks are steel framed with strong Red Cedar decking. The docks are wide and long and adjust to match water levels. This is especially important for people with physical challenges that have a hard time dropping way down into a boat or have a hard time getting out of the boat onto a dock that is much higher. The boats will be at a comfortable level with the docks at all times.
We have several different kinds of boats for rent that will meet your needs and budget. All our boats are maintained constantly and are fully equipped with all the regulation safety devices.
Luxurious 20' Pontoon boat With 60 hp motor, 4 fishing seats, one on each corner, lounge seats in center.
Deluxe 17' boat With 70 hp 4 Stroke motor.
Deluxe 16' boat With 35 or 40 hp motor
Traditional 16' aluminum boats With 25 hp motor
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Little Basket Lake has amazing Walleye and Northern Pike fishing as well as Lake Trout fishing. Little Basket Lake is a hidden bay of the main Basket Lake.... more
Our 24' X 40' Drive-In Outpost cabin is located on Little Basket Lake with water access to Big Basket and the Basket River. Our modern cabin has 3 bedrooms and will accommodate up to 10 comfortably. 2 of the bedrooms have 2 sets of bunk beds each, with the lower bunk being a double and the upper a single. The 3rd bedroom has a queen bed.
Guests are required to bring their own bedding, towels and personal item to the outpost cabin. Most of the conveniences of home await you with hot and cold running water, bathroom, shower and sink plus a glassed-in wood burning stove for heat. The power is solar with a generator for back up, so you have complete peace and quiet. You'll find the large fully modern kitchen and living area to be ideal for socializing and preparing a great meal at the end of the day! An evening in the screened porch brings a perfect end to a great day on the lake. There is also a large deck attached to the cabin with seating around the sides.
There are 2 propane fridges with freezers along with a propane stove and gas grill. All dishes, pots/pans, cutlery etc are provided. There is satellite TV and a DVD machine. The 14'X 16' sauna, long dock and sandy beach beckons you to swim and enjoy your amazing surroundings. The screened fish cleaning house has running water, stainless sink and concrete floor. This all help to get the job done in comfort!
Fish Available: Lake Trout, Northern Pike, Walleye
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