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.
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.
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.
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.
HOOK LINE AND SINKER
REEL REVIEWS
GETTING HERE
a bit of local knowledge never hurts
what you should know
The town of Minaki, Ontario is 150 miles east of the Winnipeg International Airport. From there, Birch Island Resort is happy to arrange any and all of your ground transportation needs and logistics.
by private aircraft
The town of Kenora Airport features a 6,000′ commercial air strip. The 30 miles to Minaki can be made by rental car, limousine or chartered bus. Minaki also has its own unregistered, unmonitored 2,770 ft paved runway.
getting here by car
After clearing Canadian Customs at Fort Frances, drive west on Hwy. 11 to Hwy. 71. Travel north on Hwy. 71 to the Trans-Canada Hwy. 17, then west on Hwy. 17 to 17A. Turn north on Hwy. 596, 25 miles of paved highway to Minaki. If you travel Interstate 29 to the Manitoba Border, go north on Hwy. 75. Take the Winnipeg by-pass east to Trans-Canada Hwy. 1. Follow east to 17A to Hwy. 596 (Minaki turn-off).
once you arrive in minaki
Follow the signs for the Minaki Marina. This will be your arrival point for transportation to Birch Island Resort. There is ample and safe parking for your vehicle and fishing or hunting licenses can be obtained here.
RESERVATIONS
All Inclusive Package
BRING YOUR OWN BOAT PACKAGE:
INCLUDES: ACCOMMODATION WITH DAILY MAID SERVICE. ALL MEALS AND ELECTRICAL PLUG IN.
Please call for PRICING, PACKAGES and AVAILABILITY
PLEASE CALL RESERVATIONS TO REVIEW DATES, INQUIRE ABOUT PACKAGES OR DISCUSS PERSONALIZED TRIPS
807-224-3471 OR 204-430-0398.
Check-In
Check-in is 4:00 pm daily
Please inquire about pricing for corporate, family and special events. We will customize a complete package to meet all your needs.
all-inclusive packages are based on double occupancy. rates do not include:
- Taxes
- Fishing License
- Store and Bar Purchases
- Gratuities
Ontario Fishing licenses are required before arrival at the resort. Licenses can be purchased online here.
limo/shuttle/flight service
Transportation services via limo, shuttle, or flight are available from Winnipeg. Please call to inquire about details.
acceptable forms of payments
We accept cash, MasterCard, Visa, and American Express.
deposits
A deposit of 50% is required of the full cost. A reservation is not considered confirmed until the deposit is received at the offices of Birch Island Resort. All deposits are non-refundable.
final payment
All final payments are due 60 days prior to your arrival at the resort.
cancellation policy
For cancellations made more than 90 days prior to the first day of your trip, your deposit will be carried over to the following season and all remaining monies will be refunded. For cancellations made less than 90 days prior to the first day of your trip, all monies will be carried over to the following season.
resorts purchases
All resort purchases can be made by cash or credit card.
Please note that Birch Island Resort practices catch and release.*
2024 Specials
Friends & Family Special for 2024
3 Night 2 Day
Are you ready to get away? Let us take care of you!
First-person in the boat is a regular price and the second person will only pay 50%.
June 30 – July 2 for Canadians
June 30 – Arrive at 4PM
July 1-2 – Fish all Day
July 3 – Depart after Breakfast
July 5 – July 8 for Americans
July 5 – Arrive at 4PM
July 6-7 – Fish all Day
July 8 – Depart after Breakfast
**Dates for family special are firm, must book the above dates to get the special.
Corporate Special 2024
2 Night 1 Day
Ensure your next corporate event is one for the books.
Reward your employees or spoil your clients with a trip they will never forget.
There’s plenty of room for everyone.
Our spectacular Boat House has four rooms that sleep up to ten people, each with individual washrooms. It also includes a large common area complete with a bar, large flat-screen television and, of course, a beautiful view of Gunn Lake.
Our guest cabin with three rooms sleeps up to six people, complete with a large sitting room and deck.
With this flexibility, we can provide accommodations for 1 to 26 people.
We can customize a package to suit your needs
At Birch Island, we can facilitate workshops, activities or celebrations; the possibilities are endless.
Experience world class fishing
If you have your heart set on catching fish cast after cast, the Bass, Walleye and Northern Pike will not disappoint. And then there is the elusive Musky, they don’t call it “the fish of 10,000 casts” for no reason. If you catch one of these monsters you will be hooked!
Our 5 star accommodations and resort Chef will not disappoint
After an amazing day of fishing enjoy a drink at the lodge bar, or have a beer on the outdoor patio before you sit down for a four-course meal. Our Chef will take care of all your dietary needs and requests.
There is something for everyone at Birch Island Resort.
Choose from our 2 night-1 day Corporate Special package (or any other package that works for you). Please call to customize a Corporate Package designed especially for you.
For more information on dates and pricing,
please contact our Reservations Manager
at 807-224-3471 / 204-430-0398 or email