Your Stay
What to Expect
How your week runs, from the 8:00 AM flight out of Red Lake to the trip home, plus what to pack and how to get here.
Itinerary
A Typical Week at the Lodge
Arrival Day
From Red Lake to the lodge by mid-morning, with time to fish the same day.
Night Before
Stay in Red Lake
Spend the night before at one of the local hotels in Red Lake or Balmertown.
7:30 AM
Check In at Superior Airways
Arrive at the Superior Airways base at the Red Lake Airport in Cochenour, ON, and check in with Dispatch, who will issue your parking permit. Your luggage and gear are weighed and loaded.
8:00 AM
Wheels Up
Depart Red Lake on a Cessna Caravan or Navajo Chieftain for the 40 minute, 110 mile flight. As you come in to land, take a good look at the lake: check the water levels and watch the shoreline for wildlife.
8:45 AM
Welcome to North Spirit
NSLL staff greet you at the plane at North Spirit Lake Airport, bring your gear to the boat landing and boat you across to the lodge. Your baggage is delivered to your cabin.
Settling In
Meet the Staff
Once you have settled into your cabin, staff stop in to welcome you, answer any questions and go over the week.
Afternoon
First Lines in the Water
American Plan guests are given a time for lunch in the main dining room, then fish or relax for the afternoon. Housekeeping guests unpack, make lunch and hit the water, with plenty of day left for a shore dinner.
A Typical Fishing Day: American Plan
Meals cooked for you and a guide who knows the water.
7:30 AM
Breakfast at the Lodge
Start the day with breakfast in the main dining room.
After Breakfast
Meet Your Guide
Head down to the dock. Your guide has the boat ready with all the equipment you need, along with a shore lunch box.
Midday
Shore Lunch
Lunch on the shore, cooked by your guide.
A highlight of the day5:30 PM
Back to the Dock
Return to the dock and trade some fish stories.
7:00 PM
Dinner
Make your way up to the dining room for a delicious meal.
Evening
Your Call
Retire to your cabin, linger in the lodge or get in some more fishing. Fishing, fresh air and good food are a great combination for sleep.
10:00 PM
Lodge Closes
The lodge closes its doors for the night.
A Typical Fishing Day: Housekeeping Plan
Your day, your way. Head out early or late.
Morning
Rig Up
Your cabin is stocked, along with any additional items you requested. Rig your gear, make some lunch and be ready to fish.
At the Dock
Boat Ready
NSLL staff have your boat ready with all safety equipment, gas and a net.
Heading Out
Shore Lunch Kit
Stop at the shore lunch house to pick up your shore lunch kit and you are on your way.
Anytime
Check In at the Lodge
Stop by the lodge to check on the weather, ask for advice on the latest bite, or pick up a map of the lake.
Departure Day
Back in Red Lake by mid-morning.
7:15 AM
Baggage Out
Have your baggage out on the main walkway. Staff move it down and load the boats for the trip to the airport.
7:30 AM
Breakfast or Clean-Up
American Plan guests have breakfast. Housekeeping Plan guests do a cabin clean-up.
About 8:00 AM
Off to the Airport
We stay in contact with Superior Airways for weather and flight times. Once your plane is airborne from Red Lake, we head to the airport.
8:45 AM
Meet the Plane
We meet the incoming flight at North Spirit Lake Airport.
About 9:30 AM
Fly Home
Your flight departs for Red Lake at approximately 9:30 AM, arriving back in Red Lake around 10:15 AM.
Before You Fly
Pack Light
Small planes, strict weight limits
- 100 lb weight limit per person, due to weight restrictions on small air carriers. If your group exceeds the limit, another plane is required at your cost.
- Save weight: order water, pop and beer ahead so it is at the lodge when you arrive.
- No large coolers, large totes or extra-large duffel bags. Plane space is limited, and all baggage should be easy to handle.
- You don't need a big cooler: a 36 quart cooler holds 4 limits of fish.
Authentic Log Cabins
Our cabins are built of rustic log in the northwoods style. Each one faces the lake with breathtaking views of the water.
Cabin Gallery
Our Cabins
Every cabin faces the lake. Tap a photo to see it full size.
Cabin 1
Cabin 2
Cabin 3
Cabin 4
Cabin 5
Cabin 6
Packing & Travel
Planning Your Trip
Clothing & Personal Items
Clothing
- Casual clothing
- Top quality rain suit
- Warm jacket / thermal gear
- Jacket / Sweater / Gloves
- Rubber boots / Extra shoes
- Slippers
Essentials
- Toiletries & Hygiene kit
- Medication (Carry-on)
- Spare glasses/contacts
- Sunscreen & Repellent
- Camera & Battery
- Flashlight & Matches
- Passport (Required)
Fishing Gear
- Rods & Rod case
- Tackle box
- Line: 8–15 lb. test (min)
- Assorted jigs (3/8, 1/2 oz)
- Bucktails & Steel leaders
- Large Daredevil spoons
- Lucky Strike Half Waves
- Little Joe spinners
Getting Here
Your journey to the wilderness.
Commercial Travel
Drive or fly to Red Lake, Ontario (via Winnipeg or Thunder Bay). From Red Lake, scheduled charter flights will transport you directly to our private airstrip.
Private Pilots
Land on our 3,500 ft airstrip just 3 miles from the lodge. Call us with your ETA.
Winter Sport Shows
Meet Us in Person
All Canada Show
Kane Co. Fairgrounds
All Canada Show
Brookfield Conf. Center
All Canada Show
Radisson Conf. Center
Wisconsin Fishing Expo
Alliant Energy Center
WI Sport Show
Chippewa Valley Expo
Ready to Land Your Trophy Fish?
Prime weeks fill up early. Reach out to Bill and Valerie to check availability and lock in your week.