Smith Camps

03/22/2026

Al is fishing off the coast of Venice, Louisiana this week with friends from Arkansas, the McAlpine family. Landed his first redfish on his first cast today, and the tuna in the second picture were all caught before lunch yesterday. Notice the wahoo in the top middle with the shark bites. For once, he is not the guide!

02/09/2026

SCAM ALERT! We see there are some unusual posts on our page; please do not click the links or buy from them! People are being tagged in a post for tshirt orders but this is not us selling our merchandise! Please report these posts and ignore them!

02/03/2026

Some more family history, not tied directly to Smith Camps but interesting nonetheless. Ken, Nancy, Alan and Eric lived in Bloomington, IL before moving north. Cousin Emmy, an influential folk and country music performer, was Nancy’s great aunt. We didn’t get the musical genes, but come by the hillbilly genes quite honestly!

Cousin Emmy, a pioneering female country music artist affectionately known as “the first hillbilly to own a Cadillac,” spent a decade or more in Bloomington just as her national career was taking full flight. It was here in Central Illinois where she honed her already formidable musical talents ...

01/25/2026

Learn about the history of Smith Camps through a presentation Al gave at a local Common Grounds session. The video is about 10 years old now, but still worth a watch. Some things have changed since this talk, the closure of the Old Pilot’s Pub being one. However, a lot remains the same, like the original motor house that’s still in use, and the fact that it’s called a walleye, not a pickerel!!

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01/21/2026

Al is currently without a cell phone! If you need to get a hold of him, please call the lodge at (807) 548-5764, text Joanie, or email [email protected]. Thanks!

01/18/2026

Share your photos with us!

If you have any photos of your time at Smith Camps this summer, please share in the comment section below! Social media isn’t our strong suit, but we’ve seen some of the pictures you’ve taken and would love for them to be shared with everyone! Dreaming of summer in this -25 below weather ❄️

01/02/2026

Thanks for sharing our fish breading, Deanna!

12/06/2025

Critter Coating will be for sale at The Matiowski Winter Market today!

11/11/2025

Find us, and , at the market this Saturday! We will also be at the Christmas market on December 6th with Critter Coating and Smith Camps merch for sale! 🎁

10/04/2025

Scheduled power outage tomorrow, Sunday, October 5th, so we cannot pump gas or sell bait. The boat ramp is open but CASH ONLY, payable immediately upon use.

We will reopen Monday for dock business from 9:00-6:00.

09/03/2025

Fall marina hours: 8:00 am - 7:00 pm.

We will remain open for gas, bait, and launch access seven days a week, with reduced hours. Most of our staff is back to school so please head to the lodge if you need assistance. A reminder that the boat launch is $20 each way, payable upon use. Call 807-548-5764 with any questions. Thanks!

08/17/2025

Adult hoodies have arrived! Available in a variety of sizes from small-XXL.