Summarized Review Highlights
Dunlop's Fly-In Lodge & Outposts on Lake Waskaiowaka in northern Manitoba has built a strong and consistent reputation over many years, drawing repeat visitors and experienced Canadian fishing travelers alike. The overwhelming majority of reviews are five stars, and the sentiment across both guided lodge stays and self-guided outpost trips is genuinely enthusiastic. Owner Jerry Dunlop is frequently mentioned by name as a hands-on, attentive presence who sets the tone for the entire operation. Guests with decades of Canadian fishing experience regularly rank it among the best lodges they have visited, and a notable number return year after year. Pricing is described as reasonable relative to the quality delivered, with guided packages around $2,950 USD and unguided around $2,350 USD per week as of the time of those reviews.
What guests praise most consistently is the combination of world-class northern pike fishing, exceptional food, and attentive service. Lake Waskaiowaka is large — roughly 24 by 14 miles — with low fishing pressure, and guests routinely report high numbers of pike including frequent catches in the 40-plus-inch range and occasional fish approaching 48 to 55 inches. Walleye fishing also draws strong praise despite being secondary to the pike focus. The chef holds a culinary degree and meals are repeatedly compared favorably to high-end restaurants, with personalized touches noted by multiple guests. Cabins are described as clean and comfortable with hot and cold running water, wood stoves, daily maid service, and 24-hour power. Guides are called knowledgeable, capable, and personable, and the dock and support staff receive consistent recognition. The outpost camps on Pelletier and Campbell Lakes are highlighted as an affordable DIY alternative with serious trophy pike potential.
Honest criticisms are rare and minor. One reviewer noted their guide was relatively new to the lake and still learning it, though they still praised his boat handling and attitude. Weather is mentioned as an uncontrollable variable that can affect a week, and one experienced reviewer noted that despite a tough weather week they still averaged over 100 pike per day — suggesting the fishery holds up well even in difficult conditions. The lodge is described as older but well-maintained, and one reviewer noted there are fancier lodges available, though they found the level of comfort entirely appropriate. Availability is flagged as a genuine concern, with most weeks filling up with returning guests early. This destination is best suited for serious trophy northern pike anglers — whether solo travelers, father-son pairs, groups of fishing buddies, or multi-generational family trips — who want a well-run, full-service fly-in experience without roughing it, and who prioritize fishing quality and food over luxury amenities.
Summary generated May 25, 2026
Read all 12 reviews
Joe H
Aug 1, 2025
TripAdvisor
A Great Trophy Northern Lodge
The best lodge in 40 years of Canadian fishing! Outstanding trophy northern fishing, the best food and lodging, and excellent guides and boats. Great attention to detail and an owner who is committed to his guests needs. Reasonably priced for what you get! Highly recommend!
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Hunt Fish Manitoba (Marcel Laferriere)
Jan 28, 2025
Blog
Fly-in Fishing For Trophy Pike - Dunlop's Fly-in Lodge
I truly had one of the best trips of my life at Dunlops Fly-in Lodge. From the comfortable accommodations, the friendly staff and guests, the amazing meals each day, the fast action walleye fishing, and the world-class pike to the warm fire watching the sunset. There are not any details missed by Jerry and Colette. Over their 20 years of owning the lodge, they have truly built a legacy, and have set a precedent for an outstanding operation. If you are looking for a fly-in fishing experience in the remote reaches of Manitoba, catching endless amounts of fish and the opportunity at a northern pike of a lifetime. Then Dunlop's fly-in Fishing Lodge is the place for you. The lodge boasts exceptional walleye fishing. Dunlop's unique offering allowed guests to choose between unguided excursions or the added expertise of a guide. Dunlop's also has 2 beautiful outpost-style camps on Pelletier Lake and Campbell Lake. These camps offer a more affordable, DIY experience on untouched bodies of water, with the same, if not larger big pike potential. The largest to come out of these camps was an unbelievable 55 inches! Not to mention the guest testimonials speaking to over 40 trophy fish in the course of a week.
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Capt T
Jul 12, 2024
TripAdvisor
Can't imagine a better fly-in camp!!!
I have now been on two fly-in trips to northern Canada, Dunlop's being the second. They both were amazing and I would have to say Dunlop's is the best. As Jerry Dunlop told me "we try to control the controllables". And boy do they ever. The food was amazing, the service from the culinary wait staff on top of every detail, to the daily maid service, to having your boat ready to go everyday with your custom ordered lunch and drink order I can't say enough good things. Oh..... and the reason that you go is the fishing. We caught quite a large amount of numbers and big fish. My 17 year old grandson caught a 41 1/2 inch pike. And the lake is huge with many, many fishing "spots". I sincerely hope to go back. I can't recommend it highly enough!!!!
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Steve V
Aug 1, 2023
TripAdvisor
Fantastic Bucket List!
Dunlop's Lodge was on my bucket list for years. It did not disappoint. The accommodations, the food, the cabin, the boats, motors and the fishing were excellent. Many trophies were caught and released. The best part was Jerry and all the staff. You came as a guest and left as a friend. The service by the staff was beyond great! The food by the chef was better than most high end restaurants. Thanks Jerry for such a memorable experience.
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Andrew E
Jul 1, 2023
TripAdvisor
Fantastic Family Fishing Trip
If I could rate Dunlop's higher than excellent I would!! I coordinated a family fishing trip (11ppl.) hoping to create an experience that we would all remember forever and boy did we!! Jerry and his team over delivered!! The fishing was great with 10 Pike 40" or more with the biggest at 48 3/4"!!! The guides, Hunter, Mike, and Bernal were knowledgeable and fun. We had a shore lunch planned for every day which creates a lot of work for them but they provided us great lunches and never acted like it was a burden. Speaking of food the meals prepared at the lodge were fantastic. Every meal was a treat. A few of us have been to other fishing and hunting lodges before but we did not have as good of meals there as we did at Dunlop's. The other services provided were also top notch. From meal service to the cabins being maintained daily to dockhands everyone worked to meet our needs. Even Jerry's family works which adds to the overall welcoming feel to the lodge/camp. There are "fancier" lodges but this was perfect for our family. The lodge and cabins are clean and comfortable with just a touch of rustic which was fun. There is even 24hr. power so electrical needs aren't a problem. If you are looking for a truly great experience don't hesitate to book with Dunlop's!! I can't wait to return and will be booking another trip in the future. THANK YOU Jerry and team!!!!!!
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Thomas M
Jun 1, 2023
TripAdvisor
The best lodge in northern Manitoba!
My son (age 45) and I spent a week fishing at Dunlop's Fly in Fishing and Outposts from June 18 to June 25, 2023. It is located on Lake Waskaiowaka in northern Manitoba near the town of Thompson. It is a rather small lodge with only 16 people each week. It is the only lodge on the lake and is not near any native villages. This is my 35th trip to northern Manitoba. I have fished at most of the lodges (North Knife, Wolverine, Neultin, Bolton, Molson, Gunisao, Kississing, Aikens, Dogfish, Gods Lake Narrows, Gods Lake Haven, Dunlop's, Big Sand and Burntwood) to name a few. Dunlop's prides and advertises itself as a Northern Pike fishing lodge and that is true but it is also selling itself short. My son and I had a difficult week weather wise but still averaged over 100 pike a day! We did not manage a master but caught many over 36 inches. The others in the lodge boated at least one master angler a day with the largest being 47 inches the week we were there. 40 inchers were common. The real surprise was the walleye fishing being how far north the lodge is. Quantity wise you really can catch as many as you want. In one 60-minute stretch we boated 45 walleyes the smallest was 21 inches and the largest was 26 inches. The food was exceptional every day. A different breakfast every morning (eggs, omelet, pancakes etc..) and dinner (BBQ ribs, steak, lasagna, chicken parm) every night. Our guide was new to the lake (3 weeks) so he was still learning the lake. He was excellent at handling the boat, at preparing shore lunch and was just a great person. Jerry Dunlop, the camp owner, is there full time. He is up at the main lodge every morning by 5:45 AM and is there before and during dinner. The overall quality of the fishery, lodge, food, and camp management were exceptional. A word of caution, if you want to go book early. Most of his guests return every year.
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David B
Aug 7, 2019
TripAdvisor
Trophy Northern Pike Fishing
If you are in search of the opportunity to catch a trophy northern pike, this lodge on Lake Waskaiowaka is the place to go. Dunlop's in the only lodge on the lake and the accommodations are just fine given the remoteness where located. The food was excellent and like Jerry, the owner likes to say, we try to make this the best experience for all the things he has control over. I agree, he cannot control the weather, but made this trip memorable. The food is really good and you can have shore lunch or they send out sandwiches for lunch. My best friend and I fish, but once a year at best and I have gone to another lake in Ontario. We decided to do a bucket list monster northern pike fishing trip this year to celebrate our milestone birthdays. We did a 5 day guided trip and we were not disappointed. Jerry had Don guide for our 5 days of fishing and he put in spots to catch big northern. My best friend caught 5 northern between 39 and 40 & 1/2 inches. I caught a 46 inch trophy northern weighing all of 30 pounds, but far the biggest fish of my life. The guides will get you to where the fish are and take their advice as they know what they are doing. We caught a lot of fish and the size and quality were outstanding. There are also very large walleye, white fish and suckers in this lake. I recommend Dunlop's and plan to be back.
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Brett Thomas
Jul 21, 2019
Blog
Opening Day Frozenassittis at Dunlop's Lodge June 2019
Dunlop's has a really good reputation for providing a good quality fishing trip at a decent price in a quality location in NE Manitoba. For 2350US Unguided or 2950US Guided you get a comfortable cabin with a 3 piece bath, 3 meals a day with dinner being restaurant quality. Lake Waskaiowaka is a really excellent option for guys seeking a Northern Manitoba location without having to mortgage the farm. The lodge although older has been fixed up by Jerry Dunlop to a very comfortable level. The cabins offer hot and cold running water, wood stove, daily bed service, laundry, mini fridge, and picturesque views of the lake. The lake itself is large and offers more than 24 miles x 14 miles of water to fish. All told for the week we were close to 350 Pike, it was a solid trip. The food was excellent. Jerry's Chef has a Culinary degree and it shows. The fishing in Waskaiowaka is excellent. The numbers of smaller fish is insane. The number of trophies is also very good. If you put your time in I believe everyone in camp managed multiple large healthy 32-40 inch Pike and numerous 41+. Some guys managed multiple 41+ with the camp best being 2x48s and a 46. For the money Dunlop's Lodge gives you access to very good fishing with comfortable lodging and great food. I highly recommend the overall experience.
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ross5575
Apr 1, 2018
TripAdvisor
Great fishing
My dad and I went to Dunlop's the last week of the season in 2017 and had a great time. The fishing was excellent and we caught quite a few fish right next to the lodge. I got a heavy 42" that had the biggest girth I've ever seen on a Northern. My dad got a fish right after that and I'm positive it was bigger but broke the line right at the boat. We had quite a few other big fish and even bigger ones follow all the way up to the boat and never bite. Jerry and his staff were all great. The girls inside were always making sure all the guests were comfortable. The food was the best I've ever had at any lodge and the chef Sheena could cook in any fine restaurant and have rave reviews. I mentioned in passing that my favorite breakfast food was eggs benedict and the next morning it was served for breakfast. Little things like that go a long way. Justin the dock hand also was one of the nicest guys I've ever met. He just like everyone else made sure we were well taken care of and had everything ready to go each morning and was there to help us unload each evening. And the absolute best thing was the fact you can catch huge pike right at the lodge and don't have to take 45 minute boat ride to the best fishing.
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Jim C
Feb 1, 2018
TripAdvisor
Dunlops: The place for Trophy Pike!
Working in the outdoor business for over 25 years, I have traveled to Canada on more occasions than I can remember. However, I will never forget the past 7 trips to Dunlops! Without question the overall best destination for Trophy Pike I have been to. I can catch pike anywhere in Canada, but for consistent chances at BIG Pike, its DUNLOPS! But Dunlops is more than fishing; Great accommodations, incredible food and attention to detail that is second to none. Guided or unguided, main lodge or outpost, the crew at Dunlops wants you catching fish. My Monster Pike destination of choice. Want to know more, email me at jim@hookandhunttv.com ....Yes, Dunlops is that good!
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Jim P
Feb 1, 2018
TripAdvisor
northern manitoba fishing
I've been fishing Canada for northern pike for over 50 years. It all began as family vacations. Traveling to northwest Ontario from Chicago for a week long journey. Moving to California and starting a family, I could not wait to have a son to drag along. It has now become a yearly trip. Making friends and sharing the adventure has become more of a passion as I have aged. We all look for different things in a fishing lodge. Dunlops has solved that problem for me. The service has been great since our first visit 11 years ago. but it's been more than the service that brings me back. It's the people. The concern that the staff exhibits has been incredible. Not just for their clients, but for the lodge itself. Which includes the fishery. Lake Waskiowaka is a huge lake with minimal fishing pressure. The adventures I've had have been something my son, friends and I have shared are the memories that make every minute worthwhile. My son is 27 now and cannot wait to return every June. I enjoy catching big pike and have made Dunlops our fishing home.
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Jim Crowley (MidWest Outdoors / hookandhunttv.com)
Blog
Dunlops Fly-In Lodge and Outposts (aka The Pike Factory)
I have been blessed to experience some fantastic pike fishing. I love it, I live for it. Pike are my favorite freshwater fish to catch and I have been to some excellent places. But Dunlop's Fly-In Lodges and Outpost on Lake Waskaiowaka is the best Pike fishery I have ever been on. In just a 3 day trip, I saw, caught and released more trophy pike than anywhere I have ever been. We caught over 130 fish that day. 10 of those fish were 40 inches or bigger and six of them were of Master Angler status. The 48.5 inch pike was massive in length and girth. The meals were fantastic, the company was great and honestly it felt like a home away from home. One of those rare places that once you arrive, you feel like it's where you should be. It becomes a part of you. The passion, professionalism and persistence to make all the guests feel like family adds to the already incredible place that is Dunlop's Fly-In Lodge and Outpost, or as I will forever call it, 'the pike factory'. Guest Paul Denk said: 'I have been to a lot of other lodges, but this place is far better than anywhere I have been. It's the people, the food, the fishing, it's the whole thing.' Without question the best pike fishery I have ever been to. The people, the experience and quality of fish are all of trophy status.
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