Review Highlights
Guest sentiment on Black Gold Fishing Lodge in Rivers Inlet, British Columbia, is mixed but leans positive. Most reviews are 4 or 5 stars, and several come from repeat guests, including one who has returned yearly since 1997 and others planning return trips. A smaller group of reviewers gave 1 or 2 stars and describe a run-down property, poor equipment, and problems with the owner. The scenery is praised by nearly everyone, including the critical reviewers.
Guests who praise the lodge point most often to the fishing: salmon (Chinook/Tyee and Coho), double headers, Chinook in the 50 to 60 lb range, and anglers limiting out. Reviewers also mention whales, eagles, seals and other wildlife. Several describe the owners, Jim and Brenda, and the staff as friendly and welcoming, and one says they were attentive to a guest's health condition. Other positives are clean accommodations, daily room cleaning, radios on all boats, and fish that were vacuum sealed, frozen and packed for transport. Several repeat guests book the basic package and bring their own food. They say the cabins have full kitchens and gas grills, and they value the emphasis on fishing time. Opinions on the food differ: some call the meals plentiful and excellent, others call them just ok or average.
Critical reviewers repeat several concerns. They describe the lodge as dated or run down, with thin beds, rodent evidence, and a need for renovations. They also report poor or limited tackle (small hooks), old bait, boats that were not well equipped or where only one person could fish at a time, and a lack of downriggers or flashers. Others mention disorganized arrival logistics from Port Hardy and long waits for flights, power shut off at 10 pm (a concern for CPAP users), and two reports of tense exchanges between the owner and guests. Reviewers suggest asking for fresh and extra bait and bringing extra frozen herring and your own tackle. The lodge is best suited to experienced, self-sufficient salmon anglers who want long hours on the water and are comfortable with basic, old-school accommodations. It is a weaker fit for guests who expect polished service, modern facilities, or higher-end equipment.
Read all 12 reviews
Steve H
Aug 1, 2025
TripAdvisor
Fishing was great!
This was my first trip back to Black Gold since COVID plandemic in 2019. The lodge is still very clean and old school. We absolutely killed the salmon! Fishing was the best we experienced in many trips to Rivers Inlet. We always take the basic package, upgrade the boat, preorder beverages, and pack in our own food. Cabins have fully equipped kitchens and gas grills on the deck. We come to fish and not be pampered! I bring my own reels and leaders just because I like to use my own tackle. I will be going back in 2026! Steve & Justin
This lodge
Climber01268885899
Jul 1, 2023
TripAdvisor
We went to fish
This was a great trip. We were worried the weather was way too good, but thankfully it started to rain. And then the fish arrived. We added a third line, and had them all active. Limited out by departure morning. We came to fish, and it was very good. Food was ok. Beds were ok. People were ok. We are returning in 2023. Same time. Hopefully get the big one. Haha. Insider tip: Make sure you take an extra package of frozen herring out with you. Or two. We ran out on the second day.
This lodge
Mike T
Jan 1, 2023
TripAdvisor
Great owners that really care about the property and their guests
My first trip to Black Gold Lodge was in 1997 and I have not missed a year since then. 25+ years. Some years I went more than once. I fish many places in British Columbia, Haida Gwaii and Alaska. Black Gold is the only one I never miss. We have always booked the basic trip (prepared our own meals) and we really appreciate the emphasis on the fishing. Tho when we see the meals being served we sometimes think we need the full service. Fish as long as you want from sunrise to sunset, wherever you want with the best bait for big salmon. I have lost count of the number of Tyee I have caught. Black Gold Lodge is not to be missed. Jim and Brenda are the best. Make us feel like family.
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chuck G
Nov 1, 2022
TripAdvisor
Really not the standard
Folks its really hard to run down the list....Tackle poor, undersized hooks....Food basically Macaroni and cheese is better......Boats....Mostly Houston's,.....look its designed to appeal to cheap...Its not a bargain.....motors were breaking down....and owner did not tell us that these were not charters so you waited around for 4 hours for a flight back to Vancouver....i have been to two dozen lodges.....this is by far and away one if not the worst.....owner got into a verbal fight with a guest over the quality of the equipment...note i was their a few years ago...same owner note he shuts off the power at 10 pm....good luck if you have a cpap machine. Insider tip: just dont go
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Neil Illerbrun
Aug 9, 2022
TripAdvisor
Owner is trying to sell. I would avoid if you can.
Just got back from a 4 day 3 night fishing trip at Black Gold Lodge. It started to fall apart when we arrived at the airport in Port Hardy. There was no communication as to when the next plane would arrive or where to go... Once we got to the lodge the scenery and area was absolutely beautiful. The lodge is very run down and needing major renovations. After we got off the plane it seemed very disorganized... from the time we arrived it took over 2 hours to get on the water which is brutal as we only had 3 hours left to fish. The staff very friendly and seemed very over worked and under appreciated. The food was average and the chef was very accommodating to specific food needs. The all inclusive snack and food were very lacking. Lunch was 2 sandwiches and that's it if you wanted to go out for 13 hours of fishing each day... The room was ok, rat poison everywhere but clean and no signs of rats that i saw. Pillows/Beds were very thin and flimsy... The boats were fine, the tackle was something to be desired, very short supply and seem to use very small hooks. Ask for fresh bait and extra bait!!! They give you old soggy bait and nothing else unless you ask. No downriggers/flashers to be seen yet every other boat from other lodges were equipped with these and seemed to catch more fish than this lodge. The tipping point for me was the way the owner berated one guest who had just caught his very first halibut and did not properly kill it... The owner/staff did not seem interested in helping you catch fish... At the end of the day there are far better lodges out there albeit at a higher price...
This lodge
Tim R
Aug 1, 2022
TripAdvisor
A VERY ENJOYABLE VACATION AT A GREAT PLACE
Two colleagues and I just returned from a wonderful relaxing and enjoyable vacation at Black Gold Lodge. The location is great and the scenery fantastic. We saw whales, eagles, seals and other wildlife on a daily basis. The operators & their staff were really cognizant of my heath condition which made all the difference in the world for me. The accommodation was clean, the staff were really helpful & friendly & food plentiful & delicious. The fishing was exciting and certainly worth returning for. The other guests were very friendly & there was plenty of time in the evening to trade interesting stories & adventures. We have stayed their before will certainly be going back again. Many thanks to Jim & Brenda - great hosts.
This lodge
Nicole Smith
Jun 1, 2021
TripAdvisor
If I could give zero rating or minus I would.
Save your money it's a cash cow and run down. Very old, mildewy, and mice infested. Extensive renovations are needed. Owner has lost touch with reality. I can think of nothing good about this place except the scenery so save your money put it anywhere else "you'll be thankful you read this review".
This lodge
chuck966
May 1, 2019
TripAdvisor
lower end of spectrum
this may be the worst run lodge i have been too in 25 years.....So many things wrong....Food is below average....Most of the boats only one person can fish at a time....Not in league of your Langaras, Queen Charlotte lodge, West Coast fishing club....Would not return....
This lodge
m h
Aug 1, 2018
TripAdvisor
Very nice!
This is a great fishing lodge. Owners and employees welcomed me like an old friend. Very friendly and helpful staff. Meals were excellent. They do everything possible to insure you have a great visit. All boats had radios so they could keep track of all boats. Took great care of my fish, vacuumed sealed, froze and packed it for transport. Daily room cleaning. Anything you needed all you had to do is ask.
This lodge
Scott Hanna
Mar 15, 2013
Blog
Black Gold Lodge: Salmon Fishing in Rivers Inlet, Canada
Scott Hanna, CEO of QuickMedical, recently returned from what he calls "the best fishing trip south of Alaska" at Black Gold Lodge in Rivers Inlet. He and his wife drove up Vancouver Island to Port Hardy, then took a seaplane to the remote lodge.
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Rivers Inlet BC
In July 2010 my son and I caught 2 50+ off the Wall. There was plenty of Coho all summer so not sure why you wouldn't want to return this area. We enjoyed the stay @ Black Gold Lodge and the fact that we had whales in the inlet who put on quite a good show was a bonus.
This lodge
Black gold lodge - Goose Bay Rivers Inlet
I spent 4 days up in Rivers Inlet last week and had a geat time. There are so many huge Coho around and when they come on the bite double headers are not uncommon. There were also a few decent spring landed 55 - 60 LB's were not uncommon.
This lodge
