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.

The main forage in our waters is ciscoes (tullibee), whitefish, emerald shiners and yellow perch. Live minnows are not allowed; we provide frozen minnows at an extra cost. Nightcrawlers and leeches work well if you choose to bring them yourself, but no live or frozen bait can be brought across the border. See the fishing gear list on our Your Stay page for recommended tackle.

Yes. Blue walleye are found in some of our lakes, with high populations in Lakewood, one of our portage lakes. Whether Lakewood is accessible depends on trail conditions and water levels, so we let you know when you arrive.

Wi-Fi is available at the main lodge via Starlink. Cell service is limited to non-existent depending on your carrier, which is part of what makes the lodge a true escape. For emergencies, the lodge maintains its own communications.

Bring casual clothing, a top-quality rain suit, warm layers, rubber boots, and your fishing gear (rods, tackle, 8-15 lb test line). Nets are provided. Live minnows are not allowed, but frozen minnows are available at the lodge at an extra cost. Nightcrawlers and leeches work well if you bring them yourself; no live or frozen bait can be brought across the border. You don't need a large cooler: a 36 quart cooler holds 4 limits of fish. No large coolers, large totes or extra-large duffel bags: plane space is limited. Full packing lists are on our Your Stay page.

Yes, 100 lb per person, due to weight restrictions on small air carriers. If your group exceeds the limit, an additional plane is required at your cost. To save weight, order water, pop and beer ahead so it's waiting at the lodge when you arrive.

Saturday is our changeover day. If you're booking less than the 6 Day / 7 Night package, you must either arrive or depart on a Saturday. There is a 3 day minimum stay.

Yes. On the American Plan your fish are filleted, packaged and frozen for you; Housekeeping guests use our fish cleaning house with wrap and freezer. Your catch travels home with you within Canadian and U.S. transport regulations for sport-caught fish.

A $500/person deposit is required to hold your dates. It is non-refundable but transferable within the same or next year. Reservation changes carry a $150 fee, and there is a 3 day minimum stay. For full terms, contact Bill and Valerie directly. They're happy to walk you through the details for your specific trip.

Yes, we offer discount rates for kids on both the American Plan and the Housekeeping Plan. Call or email us for details.

Yes. North Spirit Lake Lodge welcomes guests who want to relax, enjoy the scenery, or fish at a more casual pace alongside anglers in the group. Reach out and let us know your group's mix so we can help plan accordingly.

North Spirit Lake Lodge is the only fishing resort on the entire lake system, accessible only by air, and hosts a maximum of 28 guests per week across our private cabins, keeping the hundreds of square miles of water genuinely exclusive to our guests.