Fly-in fishing · Northwestern Ontario · Since 1974

North Spirit Lake Lodge

Experience the ultimate Canadian fishing adventure. Trophy Walleye, Northern Pike, and Lake Trout await you.

The Lodge

Welcome to True Anglers' Paradise

Whether you are a seasoned pro or planning your first trip north, North Spirit Lake Lodge offers an unparalleled experience in the heart of pristine nature.

Fishing guide at North Spirit Lake Lodge

Expert Guides

To ensure your success, we have the finest guides in the Northern Canadian Wilderness. They know every bay and reef to help you land that trophy fish.

Log cabin interior at North Spirit Lake Lodge

Rustic Comfort

Log cabins built in the northwoods style, indoor plumbing, hot & cold running water, indoor showers, oil heat and single beds, all cabins with lake views. Power 24-7 and Wi-Fi available.

Aerial view of North Spirit Lake Lodge and its docks

Top Tier Service

Service is our primary focus. From our well-maintained boats to our lodge cooks, we strive to make sure your visit exceeds all expectations.

Aerial view of North Spirit Lake Lodge, owned by the Nelson family since 1974

Since

1974

Family Owned and Operated

Hosted by Bill and Valerie Nelson

North Spirit Lake Lodge has been owned and operated by the Nelson family since 1974. Service to our guests is our primary focus and is a sincere honor. It begins the first time we have the pleasure of meeting you and continues even after you've boarded the plane for the trip home.

Perhaps that's why so many of our guests come back:

~75%
of guests return the following year
90%+
return within five years

By the Numbers

The only lodge on the entire lake system

Family owned since
1974
Guests max per week
28
40 min flight from Red Lake
110 mi
On the entire lake system
Only lodge

Recent Trophies

Trophy Fishing

North Spirit Lake Lodge is the only fishing resort on the entire lake system and only accessible by air. Hundreds of square miles of pristine water, multiple lakes and rivers, shared by a maximum of 28 guests per week.

34 inch Lake Trout caught at North Spirit Lake Lodge, July 2026

July 2026

34 inch Lake Trout

34 inch Walleye caught at North Spirit Lake Lodge, August 2026

August 2026

34 inch Walleye

45 inch Northern Pike caught at North Spirit Lake Lodge, July 2026

July 2026

45 inch Northern Pike

In Their Words

Letters from Our Guests

Notes our guests have sent to Bill and Valerie after their week at the lodge.

Dear Bill & Valerie, There are no words to fully express how much we enjoyed our stay at your lodge. All aspects of our trip went above and beyond our expectations. Valerie certainly kept us well fed with her delicious home cooked meals. Her pleasant greetings and warm conversation over meal times were a wonderful way to start and end our days. We even had the extra bonus of meeting Linda and enjoying her blueberry treats. Cabin #2 was the perfect location for us. After a day of fishing, it was nice to return to a neat clean cabin and a fresh bucket of ice. Our guide, Hugh, was a gem. His knowledge and expertise of fishing and the area was evident. Good vacations are a combination of remarkable experiences and the wonderful people you encounter along the way. North Spirit Lake Lodge provided both in abundance. Thanks to you and all of the staff for your hard work, kindness and concern during our stay.

Joann & Larry · Guest in 2026

Dear Bill and Val, Thank you so much for your incredible hospitality during my stay at North Spirit Lake Lodge. I truly appreciate the opportunity to spend a week in such a beautiful and peaceful place. It was an experience I won't soon forget. Bill, I was amazed by everything you do to keep the lodge running so smoothly. From coordinating the staff and welcoming guests at the airport to transporting everyone by boat, managing the water treatment system, maintaining and fueling the generator, and somehow still finding time to help with the cooking, it's clear how much dedication and hard work goes into making the lodge such a success. Val, thank you for the wonderful meals and for keeping the cabins spotless and comfortable. Your attention to detail and warm hospitality made everyone feel right at home. It was obvious how much pride you take in creating such a welcoming atmosphere. The private cabins, outstanding guides, incredible fishing, and delicious shore lunches all made for a first-class experience. Every part of the trip reflected the care and effort the two of you put into making each guest's stay memorable. Thank you again for your generosity, friendship, and all the hard work you both do behind the scenes. I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to experience North Spirit Lake Lodge and to spend time with both of you. You should be very proud of the memories you make for all your guests and the staff! With sincere thanks and appreciation, Ken

Ken · Guest in 2026

AWESOME time! Everything I could have hoped for and then some! Your recommendations were awesome. The tip to go fish the portage lake that day was the best.

Bradly · Guest in 2025

Hello Bill, Valerie & Staff, Thank You for a great week… Never on any of my Canada trips have I caught so many walleyes… And the thrill of hooking those big pike is something else. Just had to let you know how much we enjoyed our week at NSLL. You and your staff were amazing… See you in 2024.

Steve · Guest in 2023

Just wanted to drop you a note to say how much we enjoyed our week with you. We were greeted at Superior Airways on our arrival for our flight on schedule, and that was the start of so many wonderful memories from the week! Fishing for walleye and big pike was the best I have ever experienced. The meals were the best I have ever had at a fly in resort, guides were outstanding, all equipment updated, and your staff was great. Thank you again!

Ben · Guest in 2023

A vacation that supremely exceeded our expectations.... Our cabin was awesome! Full view of the evening sunsets, comfortable beds, the cleaning staff visited our cabin daily. All of the staff was great! Everyone made sure to greet you when they saw us and were super nice. Guides were knowledgeable and cooked an amazing shore lunch daily. I highly recommend NSLL if you are looking for a top resort to relax, catch fish, and have fun.

Jim · Guest in 2023

Google Reviews

What Guests Say on Google

5.0
6 reviews on Google

It doesn't get any better than North Spirit Lake fishing 😉

Jim Staszak · 2025 · on Google

Awesome place! Awesome people! Bill and Valerie as well as all their guides (Spencer, Nathan, and Jerry) - are all wonderful! They really care that you have a GREAT time. I took my two sons along with a friend who took his two sons - and all of them are still talking about it. Incredible fishing, food, and company - absolutely a 10/10 experience! Joe

Joseph Ramos · 2023 · on Google

Ready for Your Own Week Up North?

Join the anglers above for a week you won't forget. Reach out to Bill and Valerie to check availability.

Packages & Rates

Two Ways to Spend Your Week

All-inclusive American Plan or flexible Housekeeping. Every package includes round-trip air from Red Lake, Ontario.

See current specials and booking policies

Plan Your Trip

Your week starts with an 8:00 AM flight out of Red Lake

Breakfast at 7:30, out with your guide, shore lunch on the water's edge, back at the dock by 5:30 and dinner at 7:00. Late May and early June for trophy pike, summer for bigger walleye, September for bigger fish.

Good to Know

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, all guests need a valid Ontario fishing license. There are two options: a Conservation license or a Sport license. A Sport license allows you to bring home more fish. We can help guide you through getting one before your trip. Just reach out when you book and we'll walk you through the process.

Both plans include round-trip air from Red Lake, a cabin, a boat and motor with gas, and freezing for your catch. The American Plan adds all prepared meals (breakfast, shore lunch and dinner), maid service, a guide, fish filleting and packaging, and an 18-20 ft boat with a 50-70 HP motor. The Housekeeping Plan is self-catered: staple foods are provided, you cook your own meals and fish on your own with a 16-18 ft boat and 20 HP motor, plus gas. A guide can be added for $250 per day. See our Rates page for full details.

Drive or fly to Red Lake, Ontario (via Winnipeg or Thunder Bay). Check in at the Superior Airways base at the Red Lake Airport in Cochenour by 7:30 AM; flights depart at 8:00 AM for the 40 minute, 110 mile flight to North Spirit Lake Airport, where our staff meet you and boat you across to the lodge. Return flights depart North Spirit Lake Airport at 9:30 AM. Private pilots can land on our 3,500 ft airstrip, 3 miles from the lodge. For help booking flights, hotels and car rentals to Red Lake, Red Lake Travel specializes in getting anglers to fly-in lodges.

Late May to early June is best for big northern pike and for numbers of walleye, and lake trout are near the surface and easier to catch than in midsummer. Through mid and late summer, walleye size up and stay in good numbers, pike turn aggressive with large pike coming out of deeper water, and lake trout go deep for cold water. September brings cooler weather and bigger fish, with only a slightly slower bite. See our fishing guide for more.

American Plan guests have breakfast at 7:30 AM, meet their guide at the dock, enjoy shore lunch cooked by the guide, return to the dock by 5:30 PM and sit down to dinner at 7:00 PM. Housekeeping guests set their own schedule: staff have the boat ready with safety equipment, gas and a net, and you pick up a shore lunch kit on your way out. See our Your Stay page for arrival and departure day details.

Location

Where We Are

About 110 miles north of Red Lake, Ontario: a 40 minute flight on Superior Airways.

North Spirit Lake, Ontario, Canada

View on Google Maps

Contact

Plan Your Week With Us

Get in Touch

North Spirit Lake Lodge Ltd.
Ready to plan your trip? Bill and Valerie are here to help you plan the perfect week.

Winter (Sept 10 – May 10)

W10095 Nelson Rd
Athelstane, WI 54104
(715) 757-2354

Summer (May 11 – Sept 9)

PO BOX 410
Red Lake, Ontario P0V 2M0
(204) 480-8472

Send us a Message

We usually respond within 24 hours.