Big Trout Lake Airport

Big Trout Lake Airport (CYTL) sits on the northeastern shore of Big Trout Lake, 350 kilometres north of Sioux Lookout in Ontario’s Far North. It is operated by the Ontario Ministry of Transportation and serves the remote First Nations community of Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (KI), a fly-in settlement with no road connection to the provincial highway network. The single gravel runway, 5,574 feet long, handles scheduled passenger flights, medevac operations, and heavy cargo year-round. For residents and visitors alike, this airport is the only reliable threshold to the outside world.

Getting There

Big Trout Lake cannot be reached by road during most of the year. The primary access method is by air. Regularly scheduled flights operate from Sioux Lookout (about 1 hour 15 minutes flight time) and from Thompson, Manitoba, via carriers such as Wasaya Airways and North Star Air. These flights typically use turboprop aircraft like the Beechcraft 1900 or Dash 8. Private charters can also be arranged from Thunder Bay, Winnipeg, or other northern hubs. During winter, an ice road – part of the Ontario Winter Road system – sometimes connects the community to Pickle Lake, but it is not reliable for passenger travel and is used primarily for cargo. Passengers should book flights well in advance and confirm schedules, as weather cancellations are common. The airport’s location on the lake means arriving passengers get a dramatic view: the gravel strip appears suddenly out of the boreal forest, with the vast lake stretching to the horizon.

Inside the Terminal

The terminal at Big Trout Lake Airport is compact and functional, built to withstand harsh northern winters. Upon arrival, passengers enter a single room that serves as both check-in and waiting area. The floor is linoleum, the walls are painted in muted tones, and rows of plastic chairs face a counter where airline staff handle ticketing and baggage. The washrooms are clean and include a wheelchair-accessible toilet, and the entire building has a wheelchair-accessible entrance and car park. There is no restaurant or commercial food vendor; travellers should bring their own snacks and water. A communal coffee maker is sometimes available, but it is not guaranteed. The atmosphere is quiet and efficient, with staff known to be accommodating and responsive. On busy days – according to local patterns, Monday around 10 am, Tuesday at 2 pm, Wednesday at 6 pm, and Thursday at 1 pm – the terminal fills with passengers, freight, and the occasional medevac team. Despite its small size, the facility is notably clean, and staff often go out of their way to help, such as arranging ground transport or storing luggage. The airport’s foreman, Sherman, is a local fixture who has been known to share freshly caught fish with stranded travellers when the community stores are closed.

Big Trout Lake MTO airport and Big Trout Lake

Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug, commonly called Big Trout Lake, is an Oji-Cree First Nation with a population of approximately 1,000 residents. The community exists in a landscape of dense boreal forest, rocky outcrops, and interconnected lakes – a region so remote that the nearest urban centre, Sioux Lookout, is a 350-kilometre flight to the south. Big Trout Lake itself is one of the largest lakes in northwestern Ontario, stretching over 50 kilometres in length, and offers world-class fishing for walleye, northern pike, and lake trout. The lake and its surrounding waterways are central to local life: they provide food, transportation (via boat and snowmobile), and a connection to traditional territory.

Visitors come to Big Trout Lake for several reasons. Some are government workers, health professionals, or educators servicing the community. Others are hard-core anglers and hunters who book fly-in fishing camps or moose-hunting trips that operate from the lake’s shoreline. A few are simply curious travellers seeking an authentic experience of Canada’s remote north. The community itself has a health centre, a school, a grocery store (the Northern Store), and a band office, but it lacks the amenities of a tourist resort. Electricity comes from diesel generators, internet is limited, and cell service is intermittent. What makes Big Trout Lake special is its unvarnished reality: the deep quiet of the forest, the generosity of the people, and the total absence of commercial tourism. The airport is the lifeline – every flight in carries mail, medicine, and fresh produce; every flight out carries students heading to school in the south or patients travelling for specialist appointments. During a fuel stop, an airline crew once expressed gratitude: “Many thanks to the staff at Big Trout Lake airport for accommodating us.” That sentiment captures the airport’s role: it is not a hub of glamour, but a place where people genuinely take care of each other.

Practical Information

The airport is open on an as-scheduled basis, aligning with flight arrivals and departures. It is not staffed around the clock. The phone number for inquiries is +1 807-537-2366. No official website is maintained; flight information is best obtained through the airline or by calling the airport directly. The terminal is heated in winter, but outdoor temperatures can drop below -40°C, so warm clothing is essential. There is no fuel available for private aircraft beyond what is arranged with the airline? Actually, the airport does have fuel, but it's best to confirm. For passengers, there is no taxi service, but a community van can sometimes be requested in advance. The one concrete piece of advice: pack a cooler. The fishing around Big Trout Lake is exceptional, and if you strike up a conversation with the airport staff or a local, you might just leave with fresh fish to carry home.