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Air Cochrane is a fly-in outfitter based out of Cochrane in Northeast Ontario. They can be reached by calling (888) 234-8882. This entry contains the information I learned about Air Cochrane from searching the web. Fishing Traveler has received no financial or any other type of compensation for this post. The information here is accurate only to the best of my knowledge. All information should be verified with Air Cochrane before booking a trip.
Fishing Conservation Policy
What impresses me most about Air Cochrane is there emphasis on conservation. Here’s the dirty little secret for too many fly-in outfitters in Northern Ontario. Many operators have packed 12 to 14 weeks of fishing parties of 6 or more fishermen onto small remote lakes and not cared one bit about how many or what size of fish their customers kept. The outffitter is happy as long as the cash is flowing. The problem is even in these great fisheries of the north, the resource is not limitless. These lakes often get fished out and at best are only able to recycle good fishing every few years and at worst become completely ruined.
Whenever you book a fly-in, you want to always ask these two questions.
1) How many people have fished the lake in the last 5 years?
2) What is your policy for keeping fish?
At Air Cochrane, you don’t need to ask. They proudly share their conversation policies. First, they only allow 6 parties per year at each of their outposts. I can’t imagine that is the best business model but it certainly helps to preserve their fisheries.
Second, no pike or brook trout can be kept. Only two walleye under 18 inches may be kept for immediate consumption. Now, you might be someone who likes to bring some fish home. There is nothing wrong with that and there are many places listed on Fishing Traveler that will allow you to do that. But you have to respect Air Cochrane’s commitment to keep their waters in goood health for years to come.
Finally as further evidence of their commitment to conservation, they will provide you with landing cradles and barbless single hooks for all of your lures.
Lake Listing for Air Cochrane
Air Cochrane currently lists the following lakes as fishing options. They open and close lakes as the conditions demand. So, you should check with them directly for more details of availability of lakes.
Audrey Lake - Brook Trout, Northern Pike and Walleye
Border Lake – Northern Pike and Walleye
Brailey Lake – Northern Pike, Perch, Walleye and Whitefish
Edgar Lake – Trophy Northern Pike and Walleye
Floodwood Lake – Northern Pike and Walleye
French Lake – Northern Pike and Walleye
Haultain Lake – Northern Pike
Little Detour Lake – Northern Pike and Walleye
Magiskan Lake – Northern Pike and Sturgeon
Maurice Lake – Northern Pike and Walleye
Mikwam Lake – Northern Pike, Sturegon and Walleye
Moose Lake – Northern Pike and Walleye
Nettogami River (2 Outposts) – Northern Pike, Perch and Walleye
Payntouk Lake – Northern Pike and Walleye
Sand Lake – Northern Pike and Walleye
Snare Lake – Northern Pike and Walleye
Today Lake – Northern Pike and Walleye
Twopeak Lake – Northern Pike and Walleye
Unknown Lake – Northern Pike and Walleye
Verena Lake – Broot Trout, Northern Pike and Walleye
Yesterday Lake – Northern Pike and Walleye
Air Cochrane is also associated with the Kesagami Wilderness Lodge.
Rates
As with all outfitters, their prices vary depending on the lake you choose. Current listed rates range from $830 to $1270 for a 7 day trip. They allow you to choose from 3 to 7 day trips.
My second favorite thing about Air Cochrane are their family package rates. I have so much appreciation for outfitters who invest in the next generation of fishermen by providing discounts to families. All children (15 and under) are 50% off. Older teens (16 to 19) and spouses are 25% off.
Fly-in Baggage Limits
Air Cochrane allows customers 80 pounds (37kgs) per person. Extra stuff can be flown in for a reasonable additonal cost.
Fishing Tackle
Air Cochrane’s web site suggests for walleye that you plan to bring bucktail jigs. For northern pike, they suggest spoons in the Darredevil and Johnson Silver Minnow variety. I’m sure a conversation with them with help you further refine your tackle list.
Feature Fishing Trip Reports
June 2010 Nettogami Island by Apthorpes Fishing and Hunting Adventures
Fishing Videos
Northern Pike Fishing Video from Snare Lake
Other Stuff
Air Cochrane can accomodate corporate fly-ins on their Yesterday Lake, Nettogami River and Edgar Lake outposts. I sure wish my company would plan a corporate retreat with Air Cochrane.
Location
Air Cochrane is located in Northeast Ontario in Cochrane which is north of Timmins.
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Review Air Cochrane
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Fished with Air Cochrane a few years ago. We had a great lake to fish and a very good time. Fishing was a little slower than usual but that is part of fishing. We still caught plenty of fish. Being so remote in the beauty of the Canadian wilderness is incredible. Biggest walleye caught was 25 inches and the biggest northern pike was 39 inches. Definitely would recommend Air Cochrane.
I found several sets of pictures on photo hosting sites from people that went fishing with Air Cochrane.
This group went with Air Cochrane in 2007. Pictures are posted on Flickr.
On July, 2009, this group spent time at French Lake. Pictures are posted on Flickr.
A set of pictures was posted on Panoramio by j_birchmore who spent some time on Snare and Bateman Lakes. A brief review of the trip is provided.
“Flying into the Air Cochrane Snare Lake Camp. Tough fishing on this lake early in the season (late May). Better fishing on Bateman. Not a lot of fish, but big pike!”
Chris
Fishing Traveler
I’ve used AirCochrane for the past two years and I could not be more pleased with my experience. I had the great opportunity to fish Kesagami Lake last year while this past year I fished an outpost camp at Snare Lake. July 4-10 and the fishing was on. Late June is said to be one of the better times to book your trip but with only 6 groups per year, it is sometimes difficult to get your first choice of time. The summer storms in this area really turn the fish on. The hotter and more sunny days slow the fish down considerably during the daytime. A great conservation policy makes AirCochrane’s lakes a premier destination to enjoy some of canada’s finest fishing.
Fishing Traveler Note: A video from Justin’s trip on catching northern pike on Snare Lake is posted here at Fishing Traveler.
I have flown with Air Cochrane on 7 different trips to Mikwam, Haultain, and Nettogami. This is an annual vacation that we have to come to love and have never been disappointed and we have fished when it was really hot and really cold. This past summer we went up with 5 boys between the ages of 13-16 and 3 fathers. We caught several hundred fish including a pike over 40″ and a walleye over 25″.
For me I like this service because I know I will catch a lot of fish and this has been a way for me to excite the kids to fishing because they will always catch fish. The trick is to not try and be cute and use lures that are on the fringe. Just use simple jigs for the walleye and spinner baits/spoons for pike.
The value and the the fishing is outstanding…..and if you are lucky enough to have Andre/George at the dock and Ron flying, than you will have best that Northern Ontario can offer.
My father, brother, uncle and assorted friends have went with air cochrane for the last 4 years. Two times to French Lake and twice to Two peak. It is trip that we all look forward to every year. Mark Jones and the staff are great. The fishing has been amazing and accommadations great. Go with them you won’t be sorry.