Review Highlights
Guests rate Hearne Lake Lodge very highly. Nearly every review is five stars, and the single four-star review says only that the weather was tough while the fishing was still good. Many reviewers are repeat guests, with trip counts from 2 to 12, and several say they have fished lodges across Canada for decades and rank this one at or near the top. Owners Ken and Edie are named in almost every review. Guests describe them as warm, attentive hosts who live at the lodge year round and make people feel at home from the moment the float plane lands.
Guests consistently praise the fishing. Northern pike and lake trout are the main catch, with lake whitefish and Arctic grayling also caught, including on a guided trip up the Beaulieu River for grayling and pike. Reviewers report very high catch numbers, such as 40 or 50+ fish per person per day, along with pike of 40 inches or more. Some mention trophy-size fish, including a 30 lb pike and a 22.5 lb lake trout. Several reviewers attribute the healthy fishery to light pressure: the lodge takes a maximum of 8 guests and is the only camp on the lake. Fishing is catch and release, apart from fish for Edie's dinners and the shore lunch. Ken is a knowledgeable guide who knows the lake well. Boats are well equipped (each has a fish finder) and well maintained, and the lodge loans rods and tackle. Edie's home cooking is the other standout: scratch-baked bread and desserts, hearty dinners, packed lunches, and the shore lunch or fish fry on Weaver Island. She also accommodated dietary needs for at least one guest. Lodging is clean and comfortable, with four cabins, comfortable beds, a wood-fired cedar hot tub, and shared bathrooms and showers. Guests also mention the friendly camp dogs, wildlife sightings (bears, moose, wolves, eagles), clear water, scenery, and Northern Lights.
Complaints are minimal. The few cautions are light-hearted or practical: the food is plentiful enough that several guests say they gained weight, one reviewer found the 6-weight fly rod borderline for the lake trout, and bad weather affected one trip. One guest noted that big fish were not biting during their week even though numbers were high, and another said the lodge keeps the bears at bay but they are around. Alcohol is the one item not included. The lodge suits anglers who want high-volume pike and lake trout fishing in a remote setting, including first-time fly-in guests, family trips, and groups of friends. Fly anglers also report good results. One reviewer noted the fishing is straightforward and can be done unguided. Guests who want a relaxed, comfortable camp with home-cooked meals will find it a good fit, and a few have also used the lodge for winter snowmobiling and ice fishing trips.
Read all 20 reviews
Anthony B
Sep 12, 2024
TripAdvisor
Perfect fishing location in Canada
This was a great experience with fantastic hosts Edie and Ken. Considering the remoteness of the location the quality of service and passion for their guests is amazing. This is evident with the number of repeat guests that keep returning, which now will include myself. Don't miss out on visiting this lodge!!!
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David Z
Aug 3, 2024
TripAdvisor
Great week of fishing
Thank you very much for a wonderful week. The trout fishing was excellent. We only had to go 100 meters to find fish. The equipment was great. The food was home cooked and delicious. Edie, Ken, Griffin and Hunter are great hosts. We had a great trip and I could not recommend it more. Thank you very much. David Zetterman
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984JeremyS
Sep 30, 2017
TripAdvisor
CAN'T MISS
Great fishing. Water is so clear it was like fishing in an aquarium. We didn't catch any huge fish, but averaged around 40 per person per day. The big fish are there, just weren't biting this week. We caught 6-36" Northern in one day. Edie's cooking makes the trip worth it: prime rib, roast chicken, rib eye, burgers, homemade dessert and homemade ice cream every night, and she bakes everything from scratch. Everything but alcohol is provided. We paid the published cost, no more. Edie and Ken live at the lodge year round. Ken is an awesome guide. The beds, bathrooms, and showers are clean and comfortable. You will meet returning guests, 5-10 times is not odd. Bears and moose are common sights, thankfully not in camp thanks to the huge friendly guard dogs. If you are considering a Canadian trip and want the best, Hearne Lake is it. Edie will provide references, and I am now one of them.
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humbug8888
Jun 21, 2016
TripAdvisor
First-rate fishing lodge
We went to Hearne Lake in early June, 2016. This was my second trip to Hearne Lake Lodge and the first with Ken and Edie. Can't say enough good things about the lodge, the food, the fishing and of course how it is run. Ken and Edie are helpful, friendly and work hard at running a great lodge. Edie's cooking is great! The beds are comfortable and other facilities as you'd expect. This year, I managed all four species of fish: grayling, whitefish, lakers and, of course, a lot of pike.
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dryfly (Clive)
Jun 18, 2016
Forum
Fishing At Hearne Lake, Northwest Territories
Four of us spent one week at Hearne Lake from June 7 to 14, 2016. We stayed at Hearne Lake Lodge operated by Edie Dull and Ken Yoder. We fly-fished mainly for pike and lake trout, but also caught Arctic grayling and lake whitefish: a good number of lake trout between 3 and 8 pounds and many, many pike, some up to 40 inches. The lodge has a cedar hot tub heated with firewood and communal flush toilets and showers. Edie and Ken are amiable and helpful and run a great lodge. I can't say enough good things about the food prepared by Edie. A great week. Follow-up: if you want to catch a ton of fish for a half decent price, Hearne Lake is a great destination. Comfortable accommodations, very nice operators and the food to die for. It is straightforward fishing and can be done unguided.
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918RossS
Nov 17, 2015
TripAdvisor
I keep coming back
This has been my seventh trip to Hearne Lake Lodge. Ken & Edie are consistent from their smiling faces when we get off the float plane, the warmth and anticipation of what you may need and how to make your trip memorable. The great meals that Edie provides along with the great packed lunches. The boats are top notch, always filled with gas before we head out, and the fishing is amazing, from Northern Pike, Lake Trout, Whitefish and Arctic Grayling. The fishing is catch and release except for Edie's dinner fish or their famous fish fry lunch on Weaver Island. They will even loan you a rod. Northern Lights in the evening. Maximum of 8 guests with 4 identical cabins, the single beds are very comfortable. Both Ken & Edie are wonderful custodians of the lake and I will continue to keep coming back.
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Drpete3
Oct 1, 2015
TripAdvisor
Bucket list fishing trip!!!!!!!!!
For 20 years my brother has had the idea for he myself and our step dad to do a trip in the way north. It finally happened over labor day weekend 2015. To summarize our trip, it was amazing and everything we hoped for! The fishing was so awesome and our fishing background is river fishing in MI. We are not used to fishing from boats but it didnt matter. We caught on quickly and our first full day of fishing we caught 100 Pike and Lake trout between breakfast and dinner. Our hosts, Ken and Edi made us feel at home from the minute we stepped off the float plane. Would I go back? Hell yea! As a bonus the northen lights were like nothing we have ever seen before
This lodge
Lawrence W
Aug 1, 2015
TripAdvisor
To me....PARADISE
I have been to Hearnre Lake Lodge many times. The lodge itself...is like be home but you are on a wonderful lake. The food....you don't eat until you are full, you eat until you are tried. The fishing....most days is good, and then there are those days when it is beyond your wildest dreams. There are several day trips you can take...do it, more fishing and places to see. If you like fishing and a completely relaxed environment, then you need to be here. If you don't believe me, just ask me.
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PandPYK
Apr 8, 2014
TripAdvisor
Spring Snowmobile Retreat
We have travelled to Hearne Lake lodge for two years for a late winter retreat and snowmobile adventure. The location and lodge are excellent for this activity. Ken and Edie are fantastic hosts...knowledgeable and helpful. The meals were delicious. The location is ideal for winter riding trips, ice fishing, wildlife viewing, scenic waterfalls and spectacular geology and geography. Edie also provides very needed post-ride therapeutic massage services in a comfortable studio. A definite regular future visit. We also hope to spend some open water time at the lodge in the future.
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918RossS
Mar 22, 2014
TripAdvisor
A repeat customer
I have been going to Hearne Lake Lodge for a number of years. This last time was my 6th trip. Ken & Edie, the owners strive to make you feel at home. Edie is a great cook and everyone was always very happy with her meals. They also do a BBQ on Weaver Island that is not to be missed. The fishing is top notch as there is not much pressure on such a large lake, they take a maximum 8 guests (there are no other lodges on that lake) and it is catch and release with the exception of Edie's dinner fish or the shore lunch. The result is a very healthy fishery. You see wildlife from moose to eagles to bear. The boats are in great shape with a fish finder in each, and they even loan you rods. The Northern Lights are amazing. In short a great place to spend time fishing and relaxing.
This lodge
Jim A
Mar 22, 2014
TripAdvisor
Hearne Lake
I have stayed at Hearne Lake Lodge 12 times in the past 13 years and it has become one of my very favorite places. Ken and Edie are excellent hosts, the lodge is comfortable, the food is excellent and plentiful, and the fishing is absolutely world class. The occasional moose, bear or wolf sighting is just frosting on the cake. I will be there again this year, and every year for as long as I'm able.
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John T
Jul 1, 2013
TripAdvisor
Made our fishing trip great
We weren't exactly sure what to expect when our group of six booked our trip to Hearne Lake Lodge. We have been doing fishing trips as a group for 31 years and have experienced a lot of different facilities. It doesn't get any better than Hearne Lake. Our hosts, Ken and Edie, anticipated our every need and more. Edie is an excellent chef with fresh baked bread, rolls, muffins, cinnamon buns, cookies, cakes and desserts. Another highlight was shore lunch on Weaver Island. The lake is big and beautiful and Ken knows it very well. The boats are exceptionally well equipped and they will loan you all the rods and tackle you will need. Ken also guided us on a trip up the Beaulieu River for grayling and pike. We caught plenty of Lake Trout and Pike with a 42" pike being our largest fish. One afternoon two of us in a boat caught 18 pike in less than an hour. Hearne Lake Lodge is the only camp on the entire lake so the only other people you see are from your group.
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The Rycroft Family – Alberta, Canada
Outfitter
This was our 2nd family fishing trip to Hearne lake Lodge. We enjoyed every minute of it fishing. Jayden caught a total of 36 fish on Carter's 36th birthday and the biggest was 36 inches. We had an amazing trip and will be back next year!!
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Kevin and Jay – Leduc, Alberta
Outfitter
We spent 5 days here at Hearne Lake Lodge. The fishing was absolutely incredible! Ken and Edie are fantastic hosts. We were well looked after, weather was amazing and so was the food. We will definitely be coming back. This was the fishing trip of a lifetime! Can't wait for next year.
This lodge
Vic J. (Happy Hookers) – Ontario, Canada
Outfitter
After 30 years of fishing at different locations in Canada, Hearne Lake Lodge, was by far the best experience for accommodations and service. Trout and Pike fishing was also one of the best experience. Most of all Ken's and Edie's professional and personal service cannot be surpassed.
This lodge
Howard J. – Barrington, IL
Outfitter
The stay at Hearne Lake was the end of a great stay in the NWT. Edie, your food was spectacular. You accommodated my dietary needs in a very tasty way. The lodge is very comfortable with a refreshing hot tub. Enjoyed the fishing. Lake Trout are a blast to catch. Looking forward to coming back.
This lake
Danny M. – Medicine Hat, AB
Outfitter
Really enjoyed my time at Hearne Lake, great people, great fishing, clean lodge with real good food!
This lake
Alta – Australia
Outfitter
Thank you Ken & Edie. Hearne Lake Lodge is "more". More beautiful, more relaxing, more fun, more delicious, more peaceful!
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Peter O. – Michigan
Outfitter
I can't explain in words what a wonderful trip we had. I personally have dreamed of fishing in the far North my whole life. But, this exact trip has been my brother's dream for 25 years. He has wanted this trip for himself, me and our stepfather, and Hearne Lake lodge delivered! The two of you were wonderful hosts and the lakes and rivers sure produced the fish. The memories we now have are priceless. Thank you!
This lodge
I have fished many places across this great country of ours and I may have just found the best place ever. When you catch and release 50+ lake trout and pike every day, you know you found a very special place. Add that to the knowledgeable and friendly owners, Ken & Edie. The hospitality, food - "outstanding" -, accommodations, fishing boat & equipment are perfect for the serious fisher. My 42" pike, 35" lake trout, plus the 100's of others of significant size will not be forgotten. I certainly recommend Hearne lake Lodge to anyone who wants a first class fishing experience.
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Boats & Equipment