Family-run drive-in lodge and fly-in outpost on Minnitaki Lake in northwestern Ontario, near Sioux Lookout.
1 Lodge1 Outpost
Locations2
Max Guests8
Specieswalleye, pike, smallmouth bass, perch, lake trout
AccessMultiple
WiFiNo
Only cabin/lodgeYes
Pricing$$$$$
Overview
Donnelly's Minnitaki Lodge is situated on the shores of the Pickerel Arm of Minnitaki Lake, part of the English River system in northwestern Ontario, near Sioux Lookout. The operation includes a main drive-in lodge offering both American Plan (all-inclusive) and housekeeping cabin packages, as well as RV sites with full hook-ups. The lodge is a family-run property where the Donnelly family hosts guests on-site.
In addition to the main lodge, the operation runs a fly-in outpost camp on Keikewabik Lake, located 16 air miles south of the main lodge. Air charter service for the outpost is provided by Slate Falls Airways, based in Sioux Lookout. The lodge operates from May through September for fishing, and also offers seasonal hunts for moose, bear, and small game.
Best for: Anglers and families looking for a drive-in lake lodge with multi-species fishing, or small groups seeking a self-guided fly-in outpost experience on a remote lake.
Best time: The lodge operates May through September; walleye and northern pike are the primary draws throughout the open-water season.
Highlights
Drive-in lodge and fly-in outpost
Walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, lake trout, perch, whitefish
Muskie fishing 10 minutes from the lodge
Keikewabik Lake outpost, 16 air miles from main lodge
American Plan and housekeeping cabin packages available
Boats and motors included with packages
Walk-in freezer for fish storage on-site
The Fishing
Minnitaki Lake and the Pickerel Arm offer exceptional fishing for walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, lake trout, perch, and whitefish. The lake system has numerous bays, rivers, and streams, including access points near English River Falls and Red Pine Bay. Muskie fishing is about 10 minutes from the lodge on nearby waters. Boat transfers to Little Vermilion Lake are also available for guests who want to explore additional fisheries.
The fly-in outpost on Keikewabik Lake targets walleye and northern pike on a 2,146-acre lake with 27 miles of shoreline. The outpost cabin accommodates two to eight guests and includes boats with 9.9 hp Yamaha motors and allotted gas. At the main lodge, fishing packages include 50 hp four-stroke Yamaha motors with 17.5 to 18 ft. boats and allotted gas. Guide services, fishing licenses, and bait are available at camp. Upon arrival, guests receive a 20-minute orientation covering fish regulations, lake layout, and recommended fishing spots.
Accommodations
The main lodge offers housekeeping cabins equipped with bed linens, dish towels, dishes, pots and pans, cutlery, a microwave oven, toaster, and coffee maker. Many cabins are wheelchair accessible. An American Plan package is also available, which includes all meals, a boat and motor, allotted gas, and a conservation fishing license. RV sites with full hook-ups, potable water, and shower access are offered as well. A walk-in freezer with individual fish storage compartments is available at the updated fish house on-site. The fly-in outpost cabin on Keikewabik Lake has three bedrooms, a screened-in front porch, hot and cold running water, a shower, an enviro toilet, a solar lighting system, and a propane refrigerator and stove.
Fish Species
walleyepikesmallmouth basslake troutperch
What They Offer
Amenities available at one or more of this outfitter's properties.
Boats included
Gas included
Fish cleaning
4.4
Based on 7 reviews
from across the web
Read all 7 reviews
christine nJul 16, 2017
TripAdvisor
Fly-in or drive fishing lodge on Pickeral Arm
Need an escape from the urban, digital rat race? Drive north to our neighbors in Canada, where at Donnelly's you get a clean housekeeping cabin, easy lake access and the quiet to hear your own thoughts again. Take the family and let your teens experience a week of fishing, reading, walks in the woods and great conversations. This is a no-frills vacation. You get a fully stocked kitchenette in the two or three-bedroom cabins, or bring your camper and get full hook-ups, potable water and shower access as well as gas for your camper or boat when needed. People who love Canadian fishing are probably familiar with Minnitaki and the Pickerel Arm. Donnelly's is located in the western bays. We had amazing weather in the 70s and very little to no wind to explore this giant body of water, including the English River Falls and Moonlight Falls. We caught some monster walleye and Northern Pike, and had our fill of walleye lunches...and the fishing was "slow" for some reason this year in mid-July. A visit from noted guide Bill Ortiz gave us insight on where to fish. Our hosts, the Donnelly's, were very lovely people who helped us with any needs and could provide an American plan with some coffee and dining options if we wanted them. We chose to make our own meals, and the cabins were pretty well stocked to allow that. You do need to bring your own towels and toiletries, and I recommend bed linens to cover futons or couches, which are aging. Overall, the experience exceeded our family's goals of ultimate escape and relaxation from noise and stress. Be prepared for a long drive on rough roads to get to Donnelly's off 'the 502.' Families who can handle 'roughing it' will love the peace and togetherness. (Ratings: Value 4, Rooms 4, Service 5)
I've been bringing my family up to DML for the past 6 years. Everyone from my father to my (now) 6 year old has a great time every year. We really like the staff and the other guests we meet.
Don't know much about the camp except it's good. I am very fortunate to be able to go and fish there since my wife's job happens to be in Sioux Lookout. I've fished there in the spring, summer and fall. Have never seen that many boats out there. Donnelly is quite a ways from everything. Local guys don't travel that far from Sioux Lookout to get there. Huge lake, plenty of room. Great fishing. If you're adventurous you can boat all the way to Lac Seul. Awesome trip. Good luck.
Our group just got back on saturday from a great week on Minnitaki.
We also stayed at Donnelly's. The fishing was quite good in my opinion with catches of 35-70 walleye a day for two guys. Most fish were healthy and good size. Under slot size walleyes were a little harder to find. I never thought I'd complain about catching big fish. We were fortunate and had a decent wind and walleye chop most days. The fish were found in anywhere from 2-3 feet in the weeds on windswept shorelines...
Just returned from Minnitaki Lake, last day fished was Friday June 17th. There was a deep, 25-30 foot bite and a shallow bite, 3-8 foot. We fished the rice river on Wednesday and Thursday, very productive. Lots of eaters, slot fish and trophy size walleye. Best walleye 25 inch, best northern 40 inch, also caught some smallies. Thanks to Kai and his wife Moyra for a great trip, and blueberry pie!!! Hopefully I can get back in Sept. with my wife and daughter for the fall bite. Worst part of trip...............heading back home. Also thanks to Colin Gosse for taking the time to come see us after a full day of guiding another group, to give us some great techniques and spots to try. (Another poster in the thread says this writer stayed at Donnelly's.)
I have been to Donnellys the last 6 years in August. We like the resort and the owners. I think the cabins are nice also. Their gas pump is by the lodge office and not on the water. They have gas containers that you bring up empty. Then they fill them and bring them down. They also have leeches and minnows at the lodge. Their docking is also very good and protected from the wind. The fishing the last 2 years has been a little slow for us. However the 4-5 years before that has been excellent. There is good walleye fishing right out front of the lodge. Also there is a big reef as you go through the cutthrough to the big lake that a lot of people fish. Red pine is popular as well but a long ways away. I like to fish where others don't. There are plenty of islands that hold walleyes on Minnitaki.
I have stayed at Donnelly's 5 times and once at Northern Sunrise outfitters. Donnellys is right off the highway and northern sunrise you stay on an island that is a couple minutes from the Rice river and 10 min from the English. Many people prefer to be very close to the English river. I like both lodges and had similar results on catching fish on either side of the lake. Donnellys is closer to Redpine bay sanctuary and the lodge is located on Pickeral arm which is also very good fishing. Northern Sunrise is the more rustic of the two Camps by far.
The main lodge is accessible by road, located on Highway 72, 26 miles (42 km) north of Dinorwic, Ontario. Common driving routes are via International Falls, Minnesota or Thunder Bay, Ontario. Guests who prefer to fly commercially can use the airports at Dryden or Sioux Lookout and then drive to the lodge. The fly-in outpost on Keikewabik Lake is reached by floatplane through Slate Falls Airways, operating out of Sioux Lookout, with a flight distance of approximately 21 miles and a roughly 9-minute flight.
Boats included