Yukon Territory | Canada
Inconnu Lodge
Overview
The vast wilderness of the eastern Yukon seems to on forever when taken in from the passenger seat of a trusty DeHavilland Beaver. This venerable, fixed-wing aircraft is the ticket to wild country adventure in this corner of Canada — without it, some of the best backcountry fishing for trophy pike, bull trout, lake trout, and Arctic grayling would be much more difficult to experience.
Inconnu Lodge, situated on the shores of a lonely lake about two hours from Whitehorse by air, rests in the middle of some of Canada's most remote mountains and boreal forests. Here, fish —even the elegant grayling—are measured in pounds, not inches, and access to them is rewarded to guests of this luxurious, newly-rebuilt lodge. The LaFave family has operated this stunning adventure lodge for years, but an electrical fire in 2022—a pine martin chewed through the lodge's wiring—put the lodge's operation on hold for a time. Now, boasting a gorgeous new main lodge building that's much larger and more modern than its predecessor, the LaFaves are once again welcoming guests. But the rebuild isn't done. While the main lodge building is almost completely finished, there are plans to remodel all of the lodge's spacious guest cabins. By the time guests visit when the 2027 season starts, everything will be brand new. Except, of course, for the fishing, which remains absolutely stellar.
The Fishing
The fishing from Inconnu Lodge is truly special. With two Beavers parked at the dock all summer long, anglers have access to thousands of square miles of mountain rivers, giant boreal lakes, and hidden potholes where everything from giant pike, massive lake trout, oversized bull trout, and fat Arctic grayling can be found just waiting to slam a fly. Throw in the rare chance to the catch the lodge's namesake fish—the inconnu, a big, native member of the whitefish family—and Inconnu Lodge offers outstanding variety and the chance to notch of a trophy of each species.
Daily fly-outs are part of the lodge's all-inclusive fishing package, and a ride in a Beaver is an experience all its own. These planes are favorites of bush pilots all over the North. They're nimble, comfortable, and able to deliver anglers to waters where the may see only a handful of anglers every summer, or, in some cases, where anglers haven't visited in years. The lake trout in the eastern Yukon are legendary, regularly growing beyond 40 inches in length. These long-lived char are accessible to fly rodders most of the season. The lodge has also inventoried dozens of trophy northern pike lakes — fishing for these massive predators can be fast and furious from June into the middle of July, and again from late August into September.
Perhaps the lodge's most unusual offering, though, is the bull trout. This is this native char's northernmost range. These surly predators get very big and, starting in mid-July, they are aggressive and on the prowl. Streamers and mouse patterns are the name of the game. Arctic grayling are around all year—quality grayling can be caught right off the lodge's dock during the evening hatch. The inconnu are a late-summer and early fall fish, and they can be challenging. Finding them, according to lodge owner Warren LaFave, is the hardest part. Once the guides has them dialed in, chances for a hookup are pretty good.
Other pursuits
Inconnu Lodge is primarily a fishing lodge, but it does offer flight-seeing trips, flight-assisted hiking trips, and wildlife tours on its home lake. One stellar experience the lodge offers is a flight, including lunch, to Virginia Falls in Nahanni National Park Preserve in the western Northwest Territories. This gorgeous flight puts guests up close to the magnificent cataract that's twice the height of Niagara and surrounded by some of the wildest country on the continent.
Accomodations
LODGING: Inconnu Lodge is remodeling its already spacious double-occupancy cabins. The newly reimagined cabins include a small living area, a private bath, two double beds, and a deck overlooking the lake. From your room, it's a short walk to the lodge's hot tub and sauna, as well as its outdoor fire pit. The main lodge features a gorgeous great room, a billiard room, a full bar (alcohol is included in your rate), and a stunning deck overlooking the lake and the mountains of the eastern Yukon.
DINING: You'll find the meals at this remote Canadian lodge to be surprisingly sophisticated and absolutely wonderful. From perfectly prepared meat and fish, to fresh, green salads, delectable soups, and incredible desserts, Inconnu's trained chef plates amazing offerings each night. Throw in perfectly portioned lunches for days on the water and made-to-order breakfasts featuring everything from pancakes and waffles to traditional cooked-to-order eggs, bacon, and sausage, and you might find your waistband a bit tighter than it was when you arrived.
CONNECTIVITY: Inconnu Lodge features a strong wireless internet signal throughout most of the property. Cell service is non-existent this far from civilization.
Sample Itinerary
A driver from the lodge will pick you up in your hotel lobby in Whitehorse and transport you to the float-plan dock on the Yukon River, where you'll board one of two DeHavilland Beavers for your flight to Inconnu Lodge. The scenic plane ride is about two hours long, and you'll venture over some of the most remote country on the continent. The venerable Beaver, the North Country's most famous bush plane, offers views of countless pothole ponds, big, boreal lakes, and some of the prettiest rivers you'll ever lay eyes on. You'll land on the lodge's stunning home lake and taxi right to the dock, where you'll get your first look at the newly remodeled Inconnu Lodge.
Once inside, you'll be offered a cold drink while you explore the main lodge building. As you have lunch, the team at Inconnu will put your bags in your cabin. After your meal, a little bonus fishing is in order — the lake right in front of the lodge is home to northern pike, lake trout, and Arctic grayling. This'll give you the chance to shake the rust off your fly cast and make sure you're ready to go for the next four days of backcountry fishing. Back at the lodge, you'll enjoy a delicious appetizer and maybe a cocktail before dinner. Challenge your fishing buddy to game of pool or chess, or just take in the stunning view of the lake from the lodge's great room with a cocktail in hand. And then ... an amazing first meal awaits.
American anglers are often of the mind that lake trout are deep-dwelling fish, and, in the southern reaches of this native char's home range, that's not far from the truth. But, in the eastern Yukon, where cold, clean water is the norm, these aggressive fish are often caught in shallow water, particularly early in the summer, and again as fall starts to set in. For guests at Inconnu Lodge, lakers aren't only common, but trophy-quality fish are caught on flies throughout the season. On your first day fishing from the lodge, you'll see that for yourself, as the Beaver drops you and your guide at the confluence of a gorgeous freestone stream and a small, boreal lake. There, in the "transition zone," big lake trout feed on grayling and whitefish. And, you soon find out, they'll eat big streamers on the swing, too.
For anglers who appreciate "the take," there may be no better fly-rod quarry than the northern pike. From Inconnu Lodge, anglers are within easy reach of trophy-quality northerns, and on your second day at the lodge, you'll get your chance to add this toothy beast to your catch list. A short flight from the lodge puts you and your guide alone on a quiet boreal lake. Here, you'll cast over weed beds and shoals for these opportunistic predators. Don't forget your poppers and your Gurglers—the top-water attack from a 40-inch pike is one of the most special experiences in all of fly fishing.
The eastern Yukon marks the northern-most range for the West's inland native char—the bull trout. This surly piscivore gets more aggressive as the season goes on, and you'll find them in the rivers, lakes and streams within just a few minutes from Inconnu Lodge by plane. They're eager fly eaters, and they'll put an appreciable bend in any fly rod. Even better? They are found alongside lake trout and Arctic grayling in the transition water where rivers and streams flow into and out of the lakes of the Yukon. If you find bull trout, you'll likely find other fish, too.
It's your last full day at the lodge, and it's time to add the most prolific game fish in the north to your list. Arctic grayling are gregarious salmonids that grow big in the eastern Yukon. Yes, they're best known for exploding under dry flies, but the bigger specimens that are forced to live alongside lake trout, bull trout, and toothy northern pike will actually eat bigger flies and even small streamers. Don't be afraid to throw something a little bigger at these gorgeous game fish when you start to get into them at Inconnu.
Alas, your trip to this stunning oasis in the eastern Yukon wilderness has reached its end. Say your goodbyes to the wonderful team at Inconnu Lodge, and take in the view over the stunning home lake and the mountains in the distance. You'll have lots of fond memories from this incredible experience, and one thing is certain: you'll be back to this amazing place.
Included
- Hotel pick-up Meet your driver in your hotel lobby the morning of your scheduled arrival
- Air transportation to the lodge Your flight from Whitehorse to the lodge is included in your rate
- Chef-prepared meals All meals, including made-to-order breakfasts, box lunches, and meticulously prepared dinners are included
- All beverages Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages included
- Daily fly-out fishing All fly-outs and guided fishing from the lodge
- Lodging Comfortable soon-to-be-remodeled rooms for all guests
- Other amenities Hot tub, sauna, fire pit, deck, billiard room, etc.
Getting There
Our clients visiting Inconnu Lodge must first get to Whitehorse the day before their scheduled arrival at the lodge and stay in a hotel that night. A driver with Inconnu Lodge will pick you up the morning of your scheduled arrival and transport you to the float-plane dock on the Yukon River. From there, it's a stunning two-hour float-plane ride to the lodge.
