Elk Island Lodge

Flies or Lures

God's Lake and God's River in Northern Manitoba

Elk Island Lodge is a remote, fly-in-only, family-run fishing lodge on God's Lake in Northern Manitoba. God’s Lake's cold, deep waters offer world-class fishing for northern pike, lake trout, walleye, and brook trout. Add a fly-out to God's River for legendary brook trout fishing.



Fishing God's Lake

Elk Island Lodge

God’s Lake has over 400 square miles of surface area and a known depth of up to 400 feet. Large areas of water are 150 feet deep. The Lake maintains a surface temperature that usually does not exceed 60ºF. This environment is perfect for the large population of lake trout that reside here. The cold water allows lakers to be caught near the surface throughout the season. God's Lake provides incredible species diversity for both fly and conventional anglers.
God’s Lake holds the following local records:
Lake Trout - 53 lbs and 4ozs.
Walleye – 14 lbs. 3ozs.
Northern Pike - 36 lbs. 2ozs.
God's River:  Brook Trout - 9 lbs. 8ozs.


God's River and Fly-Outs

Elk Island Lodge

God's River:  Near the outlet of God's Lake is the legendary God's River, which has the best brook trout fishing on the North American continent. Let them know in advance if you are interested in catching brookies, as this involves a 60-mile fly-out downriver from the main lodge and an additional cost per person of $400.00. Year after year, God's River produces trophies for anglers.
Fly-Outs:  30+ Fly-outs are available for northern pike $300.00 per person and brookies $450.00 per person. For fly-outs, boats are on over 25 different lakes. Some of these lakes may only see six anglers a year. There are two camps in the Barrenlands near the Manitoba and Nunavut border. You may want to customize your package with so many lakes available via portage or fly-outs. Your guide will accompany you on your fly-out trips.

The Fishing Program:

Elk Island Lodge

2024 Lodge Season:  The Lodge is open from May 31 through August 19.
Lake Trout:  The top months for lake trout are early June, July, and September. Lake Trout average 6 to 8 pounds, with a 52-pound lake record.
Northern Pike:  Northern pike fishing is good throughout the season. Northern pike average 6 to 10 pounds, with a 32-pound 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 10.5-pound lake record.
Brook Trout:  June through August is peak brook trout fishing. Brookies average 3 to 4 pounds, with a 9.3-pound 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 it easy to get in and out of the boat. You'll fish two anglers per boat and guide.
Barbless hooks are required. No live bait is permitted.

Mike Sadar with Northern Pike

Mike Sadar with Northern Pike

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 that 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 $195.00 USD per person, they offer a one-week rental package that includes up to three rods and three reels and lures for all fish species. 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:  should be purchased online before your arrival, about $42.00 USD, plus GST.
Evening Fishing:  After dinner, if you want to get in two extra hours of fishing, your guide can take you back out for $50.00 ($25.00 for the guide and $25.00 for the Lodge).

Mike Perkins with Lake Trout

Mike Perkins with Lake Trout

A trophy northern pike over 41 inches proves to be one of the ultimate freshwater fly fishing challenges.
Spring:  Light lines, flashy small spoons, or your favorite lure can be used to attract the hungry northerns. At times, they’ll hit anything that moves while they hang out in good numbers in shallow back bays, flats, and creek mouths. The fact that there are no weeds yet makes using light tackle a real experience!
Summer:  Your guide will usually suggest weed beds and slightly deeper water just outside weed edges. The clear water in God’s Lake permits excellent visibility so that you will see many big fish silhouetted against the bottom among the weeds… just waiting to ambush that Doctor Spoon or Bucktail. And topwater lures are exciting to use over the weeds… just be ready for action!
Fall:  Fishing God’s Lake in the fall for trophy northern pike often rewards the angler with fish loading up on fat and eggs. Deep-bellied and hungry, these late-season northern pike attack larger spoons presented at medium speed in 8 to 12 feet of water. It is an unforgettable experience to hold up one of these huge fish for a photo before it’s gently revived and released back into the depths of God’s Lake.

Mike Sadar with Lake Trout

Mike Sadar with 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 50 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 (2013)

Elk Island Lodge

Typical Fishing Day:
At 8:00 am - You’ll meet your guide at the dock to fish the clear waters of God’s Lake.
At Midday - You’ll enjoy either a boxed lunch or a grilled shore lunch prepared by the guides.
5:00 pm - The boats return to the dock by 5:00 pm so everyone can take a hot shower and relax a bit before dinner.
5:30 pm - Appetizers are served.
In June and July, dinner is served at 6:30 pm. In August, dinner is at 6:00 pm.
If you’d like to get in a little more fishing after dinner for $50.00, your guide can take you back out for an additional two hours of fishing. Other evening activities include: Walking the old trails, island views from the deck, enjoying a cocktail in the lounge, or relaxing in the Lodge’s hot tub.

Getting to the Lodge:

You'll fly to Winnipeg and stay overnight. A hotel near the airport offers special rates for Elk Island guests. The following morning, you'll take a 90-minute scenic flight to the Lodge's private airstrip. Their 4,200-foot, well-maintained, newly crowned, all-weather gravel airstrip runway is considered one of the finest in the North. The Lodge staff will greet you. You can walk or use a golf cart to get to the cabins. The package includes the roundtrip charter flight from Winnipeg to the Lodge. The hotel night and meals in Winnipeg are not included in the package.

Baggage Limit:  For the charter flight, there is a 50-pound weight limit for a 4-day stay and a 75-pound weight limit for an 8-day stay. You’ll be charged $5.00 for each pound over these limits.



About Elk Island Lodge:

Elk Island Lodge is a historic log building. The dining room overlooks the lake. The fireside lounge has a bar, a pool table, and a tackle shop.
The Cabins:  Ten modern cabins host up to 40 guests. Each cabin has a private bathroom with a shower for every two guests, electricity, an oil stove, and a great view of the lake.
Meals:  The Lodge serves a famous and hearty Elk Island breakfast, guide-prepared shore lunches, and gourmet dinners with homemade soups, bread, steaks, and top-notch desserts.
Communications:  Free Wi-Fi and cell service are now available at the Lodge. Check with your carrier for coverage and fees.


Appetizers at the Lodge

Appetizers at the Lodge

2024 USD Rates:

Packages do not include an 8.5% PST Tax.
4-nights and 4-days guided fishing  $3,675.00 per person
8-nights and 8-days guided fishing  $4,675.00 per person
Fly-out to God’s River for brook trout  $450.00 per person
The Northern Pike fly-out is $300.00 per person
Booking as a single angler?
You can have your own cabin and guide at no extra charge.
Subject to availability.


The Packages Include:

• Airfare from Winnipeg to the Lodge, and return
• Lodging
• Meals
• Guided fishing
• Use of golf carts
• Wi-Fi at the Lodge
• Daily maid service.

The Packages Do Not Include:

• Airfare to Winnipeg, and return
• Hotel stay and meals in Winnipeg (if required)
• Excess baggage charge
• Liquor
• 8.5% Provincial Sales Tax (PST) on the total package
• Carbon Recovery Tax $41.75 per person
• Fishing license
• Fishing equipment rental + full tackle box for $195.75 per trip
• Fuel surcharge of approx. $95.75
• Fly-outs for fishing
• Gratuities to guides and staff
• Canned beverages
• Store purchases
• Global Rescue
• Travel insurance
• 12% Goods and Services Tax for purchases while at the Lodge
• Anything not mentioned under inclusions.

Elk Island Lodge

Elk Island Brook Trout

Angler with Elk Island Brook Trout

Elk Island Northern Pike

Elk Island Northern Pike

18-foot Boats with Yamaha Motors

18-foot Boats with Yamaha Motors

Elk Island Lodge Lounge Area

The Lodge Lounge Area

The Guides Cook up a Daily Shore Lunch

Fresh Fish Fry

An Elk Island Sunset

God's Lake at Sunset

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Fishing Travel Experts


Guy Schoenborn

1-800-205-3474 ext. 1

MT Office:  406-322-5709

Email:  guy@fishingwithlarry.com

Brad Staples

1-800-205-3474 ext. 3

Cell (503) 250-0558

Email:  brad@fishingwithlarry.com