Back to All Outfitters

Birch Bark Lodge

Pickle Lake, Ontario

Family-run fly-in lodge on Wigwascence Lake, roughly 75 miles north of Pickle Lake in northwestern Ontario.

1 Lodge
Properties 1
Waters 1
Species 3
Max Guests 12
Access fly-in
Season May - September
Pricing $$

Overview

Birch Bark Lodge is a small, family-operated fly-in resort situated on Wigwascence Lake, approximately 75 air miles northeast of Pickle Lake, Ontario. The lake sits within the 250-mile Pinemuta River system and is accessible only by floatplane, placing it well beyond the end of any road. The lodge is the only fishing operation on the lake.

The operation consists of two guest cabins and a main lodge building. In addition to the main property on Wigwascence Lake, Birch Bark Lodge also operates the Troutfly Lake Outpost, a self-contained cabin located approximately 60 miles east of Pickle Lake within the Albany River watershed. The lodge offers both fishing and week-long fly-in moose hunting packages in the fall, with both American Plan (meals included) and Housekeeping plan options available.

Best for: Small to mid-sized groups seeking a self-contained, fly-in fishing or combined fishing and moose hunting trip with no other lodges on the lake.
Best time: The lodge operates for summer fishing and hosts week-long fly-in moose hunts in late September; early season fishing after ice-out is noted for productive walleye action near spawning areas.

Highlights

Fly-in only access on Wigwascence Lake
Only lodge on the lake
Walleye and trophy northern pike fishing
Troutfly Lake Outpost with multi-species fishing
American Plan and Housekeeping packages available
Week-long guided and unguided moose hunting
Groups of up to 10 to 14 can book the entire camp

The Fishing

Wigwascence Lake holds walleye and northern pike as its primary sport fish. The lake receives a steady inflow of cold, oxygenated water from the Pinemuta River system, and sees very little fishing pressure. Early in the season, walleye concentrate near spawning areas at stream mouths, rapids, and rocky shorelines, then scatter to rock points and underwater structures at depths of roughly 6 to 10 feet as the season progresses, moving deeper through summer. Northern pike occupy shallow bays in spring and shift to weed edges and deeper-water transitions later in the summer. Anglers targeting pike have the chance to encounter fish exceeding 40 inches. No live bait is permitted on the lake.

The Troutfly Lake Outpost offers a multi-species experience including walleye, northern pike, lake trout, brook trout, and whitefish across three connected lakes: Troutfly, North Troutfly, and Red Lake. Conservation harvest limits are in place at Troutfly, with brook trout on a catch-and-release-only basis.

Accommodations

The main lodge on Wigwascence Lake includes two guest cabins and a main lodge building that can accommodate groups of roughly 10 to 14 guests. The main lodge has a deck overlooking the lake and serves as the gathering and dining area. Guests choosing the American Plan have home-cooked meals provided; those on the Housekeeping plan prepare their own food. The Troutfly Lake Outpost cabin sleeps 8 to 10 people and is equipped with solar-powered lighting, hot and cold running water, a heated shower, three bedrooms, a wood stove, a propane cooking stove and oven, a grill, and cooking utensils. An outhouse is situated just outside the outpost cabin.

Fish Species

walleye pike northern pike

What They Offer

Amenities available at one or more of this outfitter's properties.

Guide service
Meal plans
Boats included
Gas included
Fish freezer
Birch Bark Lodge (Remote Walleye and Pike Fishing)!

Birch Bark Lodge (Remote Walleye and Pike Fishing)!

YouTube
5.0
Based on 5 reviews from across the web
Summarized Review Highlights

Birch Bark Lodge, a fly-in outfitter located on Wigwascence Lake in the Sunset Country region of Northwestern Ontario — roughly 70 miles north of Pickle Lake and a 45-minute float plane ride from the end of the road — earns consistently strong praise across all available reviews. Every review submitted gives the lodge a perfect five-star rating, and a recurring theme is that guests become repeat visitors, returning year after year. The operators, Mike and Kim Pierson, along with guides Dave and Tony, are described as treating guests like family and going out of their way to personalize each trip. The lodge has even attracted professional fishing media, with the Lindner's Angler's Edge TV crew reportedly remarking on the exceptional walleye action during a September filming visit.

Guests consistently highlight several standout qualities: fast-paced walleye fishing with average fish in the 2–4 lb range and genuine trophy potential for both walleye and pike (multiple 40-inch-plus pike are mentioned), guided moose hunting with successful calling experiences, home-cooked meals served three times a day, and comfortable cabins with running water, electricity, and showers. The setting on Wigwascence Lake is described as pristine and untouched, and the deck overlooking the lake is singled out as a favorite spot to unwind. The two-cabin, small-group format keeps the experience intimate and personally attentive.

There are no recurring complaints or notable concerns across the available reviews. The one candid note is that unseasonably warm fall weather on one moose hunt made conditions less favorable — something outside the lodge's control, and the guest returned for a successful follow-up trip. Given the remote fly-in nature of the operation, prospective visitors should simply be prepared for a wilderness setting, though reviewers emphasize that basic comforts are well covered. Birch Bark Lodge appears best suited for walleye and pike anglers looking for a remote, high-catch-rate fishery, hunters pursuing trophy moose, father-son or small group trips, and anyone seeking a relaxed, personal wilderness experience rather than a large-scale resort operation.

Summary generated May 25, 2026
Read all 5 reviews
Jeff Runge Jan 1, 2022
Outfitter
Birch Bark Lodge was everything I was looking for in a remote fly-in lodge.
In the Spring of 2022, I spent a week fishing. I caught 179 walleye and northern. I returned to the lodge in the fall to moose hunt and fish.. On the second day of hunting, my guide called in a 43" bull moose at 126 feet. The experience was more than I anticipated. I spent the remainder of my time fishing. Dave and Tony will go out of their way to accommodate your needs and make your trip a hunt of a lifetime! I plan to return for another experience in the future.
This lodge
Ty Sjodin Jan 27, 2021
Blog
Tale of Two Moose Hunts in Ontario's Sunset Country
Birch Bark Lodge is a simple drive to Pickle Lake, located in the Sunset Country Region of Ontario. Get on a float plane and take a short 45-minute ride, and you are at the lodge on pristine Wigwascence Lake—far beyond where the roads end. Owner and operators Mike and Kim Pierson treat visitors like family, catering to those looking for a genuinely memorable moose hunting adventure. Keeping the focus on the remote experience, Birch Bark Lodge has two comfortable cabins nestled in pristine and breathtaking surroundings that have looked the same for hundreds of years. The main lodge is a great place to relax after a day of hunting; then enjoy meals from homestyle to steaks on the grill with all the sides. The deck overlooks the peaceful Wigwascence Lake and is highly recommended to help you forget the stresses of life. This was not my first trip to Birch Bark Lodge but a repeat trip to finish what I started and connect on a giant moose. On that first trip, the unusual and unseasonably warm fall weather was not conducive to good moose hunting. We had both a bull and a cow tag, so we had options. On the second to the last day, our plan changed to going after a bull or cow. Within 20 minutes, after Glen gave a few cow calls, then a bull call, a big blonde-colored cow moose stepped out in response. Moose down — a feeling like no other. The Birch Bark Lodge moose hunting experience is a total escape to the breathtaking and secluded wilderness of Ontario. If you're looking to commit to chasing a trophy of a lifetime, stop procrastinating—go get it done! Add in the great fishing opportunities at these locations, and you'll experience a cast and blast unlike any other.
This lodge
Thomas S Sep 1, 2018
TripAdvisor
Great Remote Fishing Experience - Great Fishing, Location, Food Etc.
Great lodge with great fishing and personal attention. Located 70 miles north of where the paved road ends (Pickle Lake) in NW Ontario, this fly-in lodge provides extremely great fishing with 3 meals a day. Running water, electricity, showers and wildlife all wrapped into one lodge. My oldest son and I just returned after 5 days of memorable experiences - cannot recommend more highly.
This lodge
Ty Sjodin Dec 11, 2017
Blog
Birch Bark Lodge: Fishing Wigwascense Lake for Walleye
Although Birch Bark Lodge may be remote, it isn't lacking in amenities and incredible personalized service. Birch Bark Lodge operators Mike and Kim Pierson treat visitors like long-lost family, catering to those looking for a truly memorable fishing and hunting retreat. The two-cabin operation is intimate, keeping the focus on the remote wilderness experience—the surroundings are pristine, exactly the way they were thousands of years ago. The main lodge is a perfect place to relax after a day of great fishing or hunting. Sit on the deck overlooking the peaceful lake, then enjoy home-cooked meals that will help you forget the stresses of life. I had the opportunity to get owner Kim Pierson out of the lodge to have a little fishing competition. I learned quickly that Kim was more than a little competitive when it comes to fishing. Luckily, the walleye fishing was fast-paced, and we literally caught our dinner in 10 minutes. We had a blast sharing lots of laughs, catching walleyes with different techniques—even catching them on big pike crankbaits! Wigwascense walleye are HUNGRY!! If you would rather target big pike, anglers have the chance to boat multiple 40-plus-inch pike during their stay. This wasn't my first trip to Birch Bark Lodge, and definitely, won't be my last. I became good friends with Mike and Kim Pierson during my first visit, which is why most of their guests become repeat customers, returning year after year.
This lodge
Jan 1, 2016
Outfitter
I have been to many fishing camps in Canada. I love Birch Bark Lodge! I was there in June 2016 and then again in September. Hospitality is great, great food, super walleye fishing. Average fish 2-4 lbs and excellent cabins. In September Lindners Anglers Edge was up shooting a show and they said they couldn't keep the walleyes off their hooks. I will be coming back in 2017 as well!!
This lodge

Locations

One marker per lodge or camp. Click a marker for details.

Getting There

Guests drive to Savant Lake, Ontario, where a floatplane base is located, and then fly approximately 1.5 to 2 hours by floatplane to reach the main lodge on Wigwascence Lake. Pickle Lake — the most northerly point reachable by paved road in Ontario — serves as a staging option and is also the air base for the Troutfly Lake Outpost, which is a shorter flight of roughly 60 miles east of Pickle Lake. The nearest community to Wigwascence Lake is a First Nations village approximately 50 air miles away.

Access:

fly-in

Air bases:

Pickle Lake

Air service:

Pickle Lake

Spot an error on this page or have a suggestion?

Contact
Pickle Lake, Ontario
Visit Website

Lodges & Camps

Lodge
Birch Bark Lodge

Wigwascence Lake • 12 guests

View Details →