reidsbirchislandresort.comReid's Birch Island Resort Minaki, Ontario

RESERVE NOW 2021 SPECIALSminaki, ontario, canada the experience of a lifetime 2023 SPECIALS RESERVE NOW MENU The Facility The Fishing Getting Here Rates Reservations Articles & Videos Master Anglers welcome BE OUR GUEST. YOU’LL FIND ISLAND LIFE TO YOUR LIKING. THE FINEST GUIDED FISHING, DINING AND LODGING ARE YOURS IN BEAUTIFUL NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO. READ MORE Phil and Liz-Ann Reid searched Canada for a perfect site for their dream fishing lodge. They found it on the fabled Winnipeg River, near the village of Minaki in Northwestern Ontario. Phil’s family has been in the fishing lodge industry for three generations. His father, Al Reid, was one of the great pioneers of the Canadian north – a pilot, entrepreneur and outdoorsman with friends and admirers across the continent. At age six, Phil began his career doing chores for the family business. By the time he was 12, he was guiding customers at the family’s Stork Lake facility. At 20, he purchased his first resort. Throughout the past 70 years, the Reid family has owned and operated lodges and resorts throughout Manitoba, Northwest Ontario and the Arctic. The family’s first-class, fly-in Knee Lake Resort in Northern Manitoba became known as one of the finest on the continent. a tradition of elegance and service In recent years, the logistics and cost of running a remote lodge have posed many challenges. Executives and families have also found it difficult to be able to travel to a fly-in fishing lodge and stay for an extended time. Modern anglers want shorter trips, more efficient travel and high-level accommodations and service. (And great fishing of course!) The Reid family raised the bar several notches at Knee Lake Resort, and have once again shaken up the industry with superlative food, lodging, attentive service and guided fishing at Reid’s Birch Island Resort. Set among immense pines, the lodge is an elegant century-old building, the former private and corporate retreat for the T. Eaton Company. From the resort, the Winnipeg River extends in all directions like an immense four-leaf clover, with hundreds of miles of shoreline and limitless fishing opportunities. Birch Island Resort combines the best aspects of both worlds — traditional old-time elegance with the very latest in cuisine, accommodation and service. Nearby airports, all-weather paved road access and wireless communication mean you can stay in touch while enjoying a corporate retreat or family vacation. Everything is supplied from the moment you arrive. The fishing is excellent and our guides are professionals who just might become lifelong friends. The beauty of the area will take your breath away, invigorate your spirit and strengthen bonds between family, friends, and colleagues. CLOSE The Facility NOT EXACTLY ‘ROUGHING IT’ We have 6 rooms on the back deck of the main lodge that can accommodate 12 people all with individual washrooms and a deck to sit and look over the lake and watch the sunset. The spectacular boat house has 4 rooms that sleeps up to 10 people all with individual washrooms – large common area complete with bar and large flat screen TV, and of course the beautiful view of Gunn Lake. And a guest cabin with three rooms that sleeps up to 6 people, complete with large sitting room and deck. With this flexibility we can provide accommodations for 1 to 26 people. new additions to the lodge We have newly constructed covered deck and sitting area, with a brand new bar. for your comfort We have a cozy sitting room in the main lodge that looks out onto the lake, a large lounge above the boathouse with wet bar, piano and plenty of seating. There is also a large deck off the main lodge that overlooks the water, and many lakeside decks available to enjoy the company of fellow fisherman or take in the glow of one of many colourful sunsets Northwestern Ontario is famous for. Fine dining At Birch Island Resort, you will experience licensed dining that rivals the finest restaurants. Coffee is delivered fresh to you each morning as you enjoy sunrise over the lake. Our executive chef will treat you to made-to-order breakfasts each day. At noon, lunch will be served on the water at one of our hand picked shore lunch spots where you will enjoy fresh-caught walleye and many side dishes. Dinners feature generous portions of your choice of steaks, chops and seafood, all artfully prepared. Top it off with desert and your appetite will be thoroughly satisfied. Menu (PDF) 2023 Wine & Beverage Menu to be announced soon! The Fishing is Fantastic! guided by experts Birch Island Resort guides are knowledgeable, enthusiastic and experienced. They are ready to assist you and they know where the hot spots are. They’ll take care of your catch and prepare a shore lunch that will be one of many highlights of your trip. Each guide is boat safety certified, trained in CPR and first aid. As with our guests, our guides return year after year, some for more than 20 years! They are adept at helping children, seniors and avid fisherman alike, ensuring everyone has a memorable fishing experience. trading post You’ll find our trading post alongside our dock and boathouse with basic tackle, beverages and our full line of Birch Island clothing. shore lunches The Shore Lunches at Birch Island stand as one of the most delicious aspects of your experience. Fresh walleye is prepared in a wide range of our own perfected recipes, from traditional pan-fried to sweet and sour, stir fried, baked or honey mustard. The fish is served along with homemade fries and breads, vegetables and desserts to complete the Birch Island Shore Lunch experience. By promoting catch and release, we help to ensure that smallmouth bass, walleye, northern pike and monster musky are plentiful on this lake and river system. Our boats and motors are state-of-the-art — fully equipped 1875 lund pro-guides, powered by smooth, quiet mercury 90hp outboard motors. smallmouth bass walleye Muskellunge Northern Pike HOOK LINE AND SINKER Walleye Springtime Opens 3 rd Saturday of May Slot Size: 13.8”-17.7” Limit: Maximum four for Sports Licence, 2 for Conservation Preferred Spots: May and June: Mouths of bays, current, points and edges of fresh growth Preferred Bait: Slip bobbers, jigs and minnow or bottom bouncer with minnow Summer Walleye July to October: Humps, points, rock piles, sharp drops or shelves Preferred Bait: Jigs and minnows, drop shots (rig leech on drop shot hook with 14”-18″ lead to the jig and bait jig with minnow. Bottom bouncer (use 1- ½ – 2 oz. bottom bouncer with 3’ lead to a size #2 Gamakatsu hook, bait with minnow, leech or worm) Extra Tip: On windy days it doesn’t hurt to long line crank baits for bigger suspended walleye. Musky Opens 3 rd Saturday of June (Season closes December 15) Limit Size: Must be over 54” Limit: One Musky Preferred Spots: Shallow reefs, rock points, mouths of rivers or bays and points. When the weather warms up it is good to fish the rock piles, big weedy bays and pockets on the edge of channels with current. Preferred Early Season Bait: Down size the bait to 6”-10” on either mepps, spinners, or rubber bait. Preferred Late Season Bait: Increase bait size to 12”-18” using Medusa’s, bull dogs, big buck tail and my favourite top water baits. In the late season (fall) use vertical jig, large plastic or rubber baits on the edge of humps or rock piles. Cast and cast some more, always keep your eye one your lure! Bass Open year round Limit Size: Keepers must be less then 13.8” Limit: Maximum four for sports licence, two for conservation Preferred Spots: Rivers, edge of weeds, fresh growth and rock piles These are aggressive fish and you can use multiple baits. Including Berkley digger’s, pit bulls, mepps spinners, worms and leaches on a drop shot, smaller crank baits, jidder bugs, plugs and top water. Northern Pike Open year round Limit Size: Cannot keep fish greater then 29.5” Limit: Max four keepers for sport, two for conservation Preferred Spots: Weed beds,...