Elk Island Lodge

God's River and Fly-Outs

God's River:  Near the outlet of God’s Lake lies the legendary God’s River—renowned for offering some of the best brook trout fishing in North America. Brookie trips require a 60-mile fly-out downriver from the main lodge and must be arranged in advance. The added cost is $500 per person. Year after year, this remote stretch produces trophy brook trout for anglers.

Floatplane to God's River

Fly-Outs:  Add a fly-out to your stay and explore some of Elk Island Lodge’s remote fishing waters. The Lodge offers more than four fly-out destinations, with boats staged on five or more remote lakes. Some of these lakes see as few as 50 anglers each year. Fly-outs are by de Havilland Beaver and require a minimum of two anglers. Plan on a full eight-hour fishing day, with hours similar to a regular day at the Lodge. A guide accompanies you for the day.
Northern Pike Fly-Outs:  $500 per person
Brook Trout Fly-Outs:  $500 per person
Fly-out boats are staged on 25+ remote lakes, and two additional camps are located in the rugged Barrenlands near the Manitoba–Nunavut border. Many lakes are also accessible via short portages. Each fly-out includes a guide who will accompany you throughout the day, ensuring a personalized and productive experience.
Request an Information Packet for more details.

The Fishing Program:

2027 Season:  May 31 - August 19.
Single barbless hooks are mandatory. No live bait is permitted.
Lake Trout:  The top months for lake trout are early June and July. Lake Trout average 6 to 8 pounds, with a 53 lbs, 4 oz. lake record.
Northern Pike:  Action-packed all season long. Northern pike average 6 to 10 pounds, with a 36 lbs, 2 oz. lake record.
Walleye:  Walleye fishing is about a 20-minute boat ride from the Lodge, and fishing is good throughout the season. Walleye average 3 to 5 pounds, with a 14 lbs, 3 oz. lake record.
Brook Trout:  June through August is peak brook trout fishing. Brookies average 3 to 4 pounds, with a 9-lbs 8-oz. lake record.
Boats:  The Lodge has a fleet of 18-foot boats equipped with 40 HP Yamaha outboards, a casting deck, swivel seats with backrests, rod holders, and locators. The Lodge's dock system makes getting in and out of the boat easy. You'll fish two anglers per boat and guide.
Fuel Surcharge:  ($99.75/4-day, $199.50/8-day).

Doug Riggs with Lake Trout (2025)

Guides:  Expert guides, many of whom have spent their entire lives exploring the islands and bays and fishing the hot spots of God’s Lake. They are well-versed in spin and fly angling and, if needed, are able to help guests learn and use their equipment.
Shore Lunch:  All fishing is catch-and-release, other than selected sizes of walleye, northern pike, and lake trout, which are guide-prepared for shore lunch.
Golf Carts will transport anyone with medical or physical difficulties to and from your dock to the Lodge. You can also zip around the island to visit the historic gold mine.
Fishing Equipment:  Equipment is not provided. For $195 USD per person, they offer a one-week rental package including up to three rods, reels, and lures for all species (a $175 breakage fee + tax applies). Bring a good supply of leaders, as the fish in God’s Lake can be tackle busters. A detailed list of what to bring is included in our confirmation packet.
Fishing License:  You must purchase a fishing license (approx. $52.20 + GST) online before your arrival.
Evening Fishing:  After dinner, if you want to get in two extra hours of fishing, your guide can take you back out for $50 ($25 for the guide and $25 for the Lodge).

Mike Perkins with a Brookie

A Typical Fishing Day:
6:30 a.m. - Coffee is available.
7:00 a.m. - Enjoy a hot-cooked breakfast.
8:00 a.m. - Meet your guide at the dock for a full day of fishing on God’s Lake or one of the nearby fly-out lakes.
Midday - Enjoy a boxed lunch or a grilled shore lunch prepared by the guides.
5:00 p.m. - Boats return to the dock by 5:00 p.m. Take a hot shower and some downtime before dinner.
5:30 p.m. - Appetizers are served in the lounge.
June & July: Dinner is at 6:30 p.m.
August:  Dinner is at 6:00 p.m.
After dinner, stroll the old trails, enjoy a cocktail in the lounge or on the deck, or relax in the hot tub.
Evening Fishing:  For $50 per person, your guide can take you back out for two hours after dinner.

Mike Sadar with a Lake Trout

"In preparation for this trip, I was not sure what to expect, especially when northern pike were not near the top of my list. However, now that I have fished for this species, I was really impressed and surprised at how exciting fishing for pike can be. On several occasions, I saw a 36-40 inch pike take the fly near the boat. The brook trout fishing was equally impressive, and it was common to see these fish take the flies as well.
The Lodge was excellent and well-run. It is certainly near the top of the list for Canadian lodges.
I would recommend this to anyone who wishes to catch big pike, plus target a variety of other species. Although pike is the key species of interest at this lodge, the other species are also commonly available. The brook trout do require a fly-out as we traveled about 60 miles downstream from the outlet of God's Lake. Lake trout are close to the Lodge and make an excellent after-dinner opportunity. Most guests take the 4-day fishing option, and this is an economical trip for excellent fishing. The trip went by fast, which is a sure sign that it was good!"
- Mike Sadar

Doug Riggs with Northern Pike

Seasonal Tactics for Trophy Northern Pike

Landing a trophy northern pike over 41 inches is one of the ultimate freshwater challenges—especially on the fly. God's Lake is home to incredible numbers of big pike, and each season offers unique opportunities to hook into one of these powerful predators.
Spring:  In early season, northern pike congregate in shallow back bays, creek mouths, and sun-warmed flats. With no weeds yet to obscure the water, this is a prime time to use light tackle. Light lines and small, flashy spoons or your favorite lure will often do the trick—these aggressive fish will sometimes strike anything that moves. The shallow, clear water makes for thrilling sight-casting opportunities.
Summer:  As the lake warms, pike move slightly deeper, often lurking in or just outside the weed beds. Your guide will likely target the weed edges, where big pike lie in wait to ambush prey. The gin-clear waters of God's Lake let you spot these toothy giants silhouetted against the bottom. Bucktails, Doctor Spoons, and topwater lures can all produce explosive strikes—especially when fished over thick vegetation.
Fall:  Fall is prime time for trophy hunters. As water temperatures drop, pike bulk up for winter, gorging on baitfish and preparing to spawn. These deep-bodied, egg-laden fish are aggressive and hungry. Larger spoons, retrieved at a moderate speed in 8 to 12 feet of water, are especially effective. Hooking into one of these monsters and capturing a quick photo before releasing it is an unforgettable part of the God's Lake experience.

Getting to Elk Island Lodge

Your adventure begins with a flight to Winnipeg, Manitoba (YWG), where you'll stay overnight at a nearby hotel offering special rates for Elk Island Lodge guests. The following morning, you'll board a 90-minute scenic charter flight to the Lodge’s private airstrip.

The Lodge features a 4,200-foot, all-weather gravel runway—one of the finest in Northern Canada. Upon arrival, the Lodge staff will greet you at the airstrip. You can either walk or hop on a golf cart for the short ride to your cabin.

The roundtrip charter flight from Winnipeg to Elk Island Lodge is included in your package. However, the hotel night and meals in Winnipeg are not included.
Departure Day:  You'll get in a half day of fishing on your last day before departing the Lodge at 1:00 p.m. Your return flight to Winnipeg includes a meal.

Baggage Weight Limit

• 4-day stay:  50 lbs total baggage limit
• 8-day stay:  75 lbs total baggage limit
• Overweight fee:  $5 per pound over the limit

Appetizers at the Lodge