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“Fireside Lodge is more than just a destination to spend time and fish; it's an experience. As the only resort on the lake, we offer a personalised atmosphere and first-class accommodations in the stunning setting of the Canadian wilderness. Let our exceptional service provide you with the Canadian Wilderness Experience you deserve.” From business accommodation for Sioux Lookout, Fishing, weddings, and romantic getaways, Fireside will not disappoint!
I just got back from another spectacular week of fishing with friends at Fireside. While the can be some decent fishing in Southern Ontario, there isn't the quality and quantity of musky, pike and SM bass that you will experience on Little Vermillion and surrounding lakes that Fireside has to offer. The three of us counted almost 30 nice muskies, over 100 pike and double that in bass. Add in a walleye to boot.
And more importantly, from the time we arrived until when we left, Alan and Audrey are exceptional hosts providing modern cabins, great & filling dinners, great fishing tips of the lakes, dock service and a tackle shop that will meet your every fishing need. And their conversations and warm hospitality is another reason why their customers continue to return each year!
As a GTA resident, I chose to fly but others in our group chose to drive up...definitely worth it either way! We've been to other lodges/camps but none offer the same fishing experience!
Not to mention the wildlife and scenery you'll experience while you're there. Red & common loons, bald eagles, moose, beavers and lots of other animals. Or the lakes, creeks, waterfalls and unending shorelines!
So if you're reading this review, give Alan and Audrey a call to plan your next fishingvacation. You won't be disappointed!
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Date of stay: July 2022Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I have been coming here with my kids for the 5th time this June. Alan and Audrey are always great hosts and the fishing is excellent for Small mouth, Pike, and Musky. I would recommend this as an excellent Canadian Drive in location. Looking forward to the next round soon.
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Date of stay: June 2022
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Impossible to say enough good things about Fireside Lodge. I've been fortunate to fish at a wide variety of fishing lodges and resorts across the US and Canada, but I have to say Fireside truly stands out as a special place (and an incredible fishery). My dad took me when I was in college - when we booked the trip we had no intention of returning - but we fell in love with the place and it is now the annual vacation we look forward to all year long, for 20+ straight years. In our family, only my dad and I are avid anglers yet over the years we have shared the experience with our wives, in-laws, children and grandkids who have all enjoyed it.
A tip to all since there are many lakes to fish at Fireside: You have to go to Muskie Lake. For context, it is extremely easy to catch 50-100+ pike there in a fairly short day even if you're a beginner. So don't let the fact that it's a long boat ride thru the creek discourage you because once you get to Muskie Lake you almost immediately start catching a ton of pike (depending on time of year, there is also great bass and muskie fishing in the lake).
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Date of stay: June 2024
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Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:There's a pretty beach on the main lake you can boat over to if you want to swim or splash during...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Took my son to Fireside Lodge to celebrate his upcoming 16th birthday. Alan and Audrey run a tight ship. They take care of all the details. Meals are fantastic, the service is great. Lunch is waiting in a cooler for you when you finish breakfast- either sandwiches with snacks or you can take a shore lunch cooler filled with fish, potatoes, beans and goodies to cook on the shore.
The boats at Fireside are in great shape and ready to go. Alan and his staff are there to help you every step of the way. Alan’s staff is waiting at the dock when you come back to help tie up the boat and have it clean and ready to go when you come back down to the dock.
You pretty much have the lakes to yourself. You will hardly see another boat. Fishing is great. Most days we couldn’t keep track of the number of fish we caught.
We can’t wait to come back!!
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Date of stay: July 2018Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from ABrandys, Owner at Fireside Lodge
Responded Jul 16, 2018
We were happy to host your celebration! It was great to see you both enjoy your time with each other. Thank you for choosing Fireside Lodge for your fishing adventure/celebration.
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My wife and I make the l-o-n-g, 3 ½ day drive from Virginia to Fireside Lodge as often as we can. This year will be about our sixth time making this trek. Is the trip worth it just to catch some fish one might ask; our answer would be a resounding “YES”! Without being too repetitive of what others have written, let me try to explain why we feel the way we do.
The camp is wonderfully located. It is a quiet setting located right on the end of the lower arm of the gorgeous Canadian Shield lake, Little Vermilion. Fireside’s cabins are, by far, the nicest “fishing cabins” you’ll ever see. They are totally modern with furniture wonderfully crafted by Audrey’s dad. They are finished inside with nice knotty pine which lends to that homey, “up north” atmosphere. The cabins are cleaned and resupplied with fresh linens and ice on a daily basis.
The lodge itself is simply a wonderful building. It is a hand hewn log building about 100 years old. There are several “in-lodge” guest rooms as well as the office/tackle shop and the dining room. In my opinion, the main room of the lodge is the one place where one can really experience the “Fireside Experience”. You can sit in one of “Mom’s” chairs in front of the windows and watch a spectacular sunset while listening to the haunting call of the loons. You may also choose just to sit and swap fish stories with other guests. Friendships can certainly be spawned in this wonderful atmosphere. The room itself is decorated with many taxidermed examples of the local fish and animal life as well as many photos of the lodge was like “back in the day”. And, when you enter the lodge for the first time, you’re not in any kind of stupor, the floor really does slope that much! It just adds flavor to this great room.
In all the years we’ve been here, we have never run into an unpleasant staff member. Most all of them are college-aged young men and women who have obviously been well-trained for their jobs. More importantly, however, is the friendly way in which they interact with the guests. They have always been a big part of the “Fireside Experience”.
As others have noted, you won’t be hungry during your stay. Fresh meals are prepared daily and are always delicious. The portions are always huge. Breakfast is my personal favorite because of the large variety offered. If you like hot cereal try the Red River; it’s simply delicious!
As far as the boats are concerned, they are impeccably maintained. The dock hands mop and vacuum them daily, charge the batteries, and fill the gas tanks. When you come down to your boat in the morning, it is ready to go and one of the dock hands will be there to help you get underway. When you return at the end of the day, someone will be there to assist you. The standard boats are 16 footers and have 20 HP Yamahas on them while the 18 foot upgrade boats have 40 HP Yamahas, foot pedal controlled trolling motors, as well as a small kicker outboard for navigating through the creeks. The motors are replaced every other year. When you arrive, you are given a full explanation of everything about your boat; very comforting for “first-timers”.
The fishing at Fireside Lodge is really wonderful. There is plenty of variety with muskie, northerns, and smallmouth bass being the most sought-after species. Walleyes are in one of the portage lakes, Terry Lake. For a newcomer to any body of water , it can sometimes be a bit frustrating to find out where they are and what they’re hitting. Not to worry, with advice from Alan, as well as guests, you’ll be on fish before you know it. My wife and I should know; it happened to us.
I’ve intentionally saved the best part of my review for last, the owners, Alan and Audrey Brandys. They really do treat you like family. Never will you find resort owners who go more out of their way to make certain that your stay is 100% perfect. They greet you warmly and continue to check with you during your stay. If you need a special favor, they do their utmost to accommodate you. For example, last year I brought my own boat. I asked Alan if he would mind helping me launch it. He more than helped; he drove my vehicle with the boat behind it to the launching area and got me launched easily. He even unhooked and parked my trailer for me! On our departure, he was again there to help. What great service!
Perhaps our favorite time of the day at Fireside is the evening. It is then we sometimes get to sit with Alan and Audrey and talk about many different things, be it Audrey’s wintertime knitting or Alan’s encounters with lynx and moose. We love to hear the many stories about their 26 years at Fireside Lodge. With those stories, one can sense the true appreciation they have developed for this splendid place and that appreciation is addictive; it’s known as the “Fireside Experience”. We can’t wait for our trip to our “home away from home” for this year’s “fix” of that experience.
I highly recommend Fireside Lodge to anyone wanting a wonderful fishing vacation but, be forewarned, if you go, you, too, may become addicted to the “Fireside Experience”.
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Date of stay: August 2015
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Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:Bring good rain gear and clothing that can be layered up. The weather in this area changes rapidly.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from ABrandys, Owner at Fireside Lodge
Responded May 4, 2016
Thank you so very much for your kind and generous review. It is very rewarding for us to know that you and your wife feel at home at Fireside Lodge, the same as we feel like you as our visit with friends and family. We look forward to more evenings with coffee cups in hand and ending memorable days with you both.
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Where to start? This is our second trip to Fireside Lodge. The first was 16 years ago when it was just my wife and myself. This time we brought along our son and our daughter-in-law. With the exception of all the NEW cabins not much has changed at Fireside Lodge since our first visit. The Lodge is like an old friend...welcoming and comfortable. The owners, Audrey and Alan could not be more hospitable and accommodating. Alan's knowlege of the lake system is astounding, and you are given a complete orientation of your boat, motor, and the BEST places to fish. Alan has a very well stocked tacKle shop in the Lodge in case you forgot something or the "Big One" made off with your favorite lure. Besides being Fireside's secretary and treasurer, Audrey is the Fireside's Chef. The kitchen and dining room are here domain. The meals are all homemade and from scratch. Breakfast is totally your choice, from cereals to eggs any way you want them complete with all the trimmings. Lunch is packed for you in a cooler for lunch on shore or on the water, which ever you prefer. When we were there, there were NO mosquitos or black flies to prevent lunch on land. Dinner in the dining room does not disappoint. Check their website for the full 7 day menu. They have healthy choices along with good old "North Woods" comfort food .... and lots of it. Be sure to bring your appetites, you are going to need them. A special Thank You Audrey's staff who do everything possible to make your stay as comfortable as possible. Their duties include a daily cleaning of each cabin and all things dealing with the kitchen and dining room. Good job Ladies!! The Boats and motors are first class. The boats are 16 footers with 20 hp Yamaha's hanging off the back. The motors are easy to start, EVERY time. Boat and motor upgrades are available. The guys that tend the boats and docks are amazing. They make sure your boat is clean and fueled up every day. They make sure that you are securly tied up and help you into and out of the boats if necessary. Like the whole Fireside experience they are first class. Over the course of the week we caught over 230 (we honestly lost track) pike and many smallies. One of which was 18.75 inches. On three days we either portaged or motored into a couple of the more remote lakes. We even fished 4 out of a 14 foot boat for an entire day and everyone survived the experience. That was the things that memories are made of. On behalf of the four of us I would like to thank Alan and Audrey for the wonderful hospitality, memories made and a great week in the Canadian wilderness. You will arrive as a guest and leave as a friend...GUARANTEED.
Way more than 5 stars.
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Date of stay: June 2018
Rooms
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Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from ABrandys, Owner at Fireside Lodge
Responded Aug 12, 2018
Thank you so very much for sharing your repeat experience at Fireside Lodge. We enjoyed reminiscing about the past as well as making new memories with you all.
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So how does a guy from the GTA celebrate 40+ years of friendship? Jump on a plan and in less than 3 hours you can be at Fireside Lodge in Sioux Lookout for spectacular fishing. We caught over 200 pike and smallmouth bass (and lost a musky) in 5 days including venturing to some back lakes that are rarely fished. Also got to see lots of wildlife including bald eagles, countless beavers and muskrats, herons, loons, moose and even a lynx. Hosts (Allan and Audrey) and their Fireside team provide an unbelievable 5-star experience to add to the fishing which includes sparkling clean boats, prompt dock service, a great selection of hearty meals, new clean cabins that rival many cottages, and a lodge that retains the rustic charm of fishing trips from years past. As a recreational fisherman and cottage owner who has been to several lodges in prior trips, this provides an experience that my other fishing adventures cannot compare to. It’s why they have so many clients who return each year for more bass, pike, musky, tiger musky, and lake trout. So I would highly recommend those from southern Ontario, including the GTA, look up Fireside Lodge (firesidelodge.com) and start planning your bucket list fishing experience!
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Date of stay: July 2018
Value
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Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from ABrandys, Owner at Fireside Lodge
Responded Jul 16, 2018
Thank you for the detailed and inspiring review! We hope your words will encourage some city dwellers to unplug and adventure out to the wilderness for some peace and quiet and fabulous fishing adventures.
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I just finished (31 May 2018) my 22nd annual Canadian fishing trip with the last 8 of those years spent at Fireside Fishing Lodge in Sioux Lookout, Canada. Fireside is a full-service lodge operated by Alan and Audrey providing accommodations, meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner), and boating equipment. The accommodations are very nice – clean and comfortable - providing everything one would need including daily maid service. The food is restaurant style providing many choices for breakfast, a few options for lunch – I have only had the packed lunch with sandwiches, chips, fruit, beverage, and homemade cookies to maximize my fishing opportunities - and several choices for dinner which you order a day ahead of time. Audrey is the chef making tasty and generous portion meals to satisfy any appetite after a full day of fishing. The ‘not-your-mothers-meatloaf’ and pork chops are two of my favorites, but I assure you all the meals are good. She is assisted, at least this year, by Joanne, Ashely, and Candice who are the dining room servers. They are always eager to greet each guest, ask about your day fishing, and provide excellent service with a joy and simile that is pleasant and refreshing. They each pay attention to every guest need adding their own special “flavor” to a convivial meal time. Alan manages the dock assisted by Devon and Shawn. They are always there to assist with boat launch and docking. Again, they are very eager to ensure every guest has a first-rate fishing experience. They handle all the “dirty jobs” like putting gas in the boat, mopping floor of fish slim, plugging in your trolling motor, cleaning up your daily trash you throw in the storage bin, and all the other little details.
Now the exciting stuff – the fishing is AWESOME. Little Vermillion is approximately 5500 acres buried deep in the Canadian wilderness. The lake holds Pike, Musky, Smallmouth Bass, Lake Trout, Whitefish, and Walleye (a very small population but growing). I have personally caught all these species. The lodge practices catch-and-release on a “voluntary” basis as the lake is controlled by provincial regulation. This is awesome as the fishery simply continues to grow with bigger and bigger fish. This trip didn’t produce any “life-time” fish, greater than 40 inches for Pike and 45 inches for Musky but I certainly have caught both and I did see several fish of both species that would qualify. Unfortunately, I was not able to get them to bite. Smallmouth bass are plentiful with the largest one at 19 inches for this trip, a real beast. You will catch fish here! There are a lot of fish and Alan as well as the other guest are willing to share tips, fishing spot, hot lures, etc.
If you are looking for a real Canadian wilderness experience without having to worry about the details (meals, boat equipment, etc.) and just worry about which spot and lure your going to try next, this is the place for you.
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Date of stay: May 2018
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Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from ABrandys, Owner at Fireside Lodge
Responded Jul 16, 2018
Thank you so very much for sharing your experience. We always enjoy your company, especially our evening visits. The coffee is always on!
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Fishing Gals (and guys), Fireside Lodge was the perfect lodge for us. From our first evening orientation to the final fish caught, the fishing (!), hospitality and lodge setting more than exceeded our Canadian adventure expectations. Though all of us were new to pike-on-the-fly, we hunted, hooked, fought and netted, pike after toothy pike, giant smallies, and even a walleye and muskie that week. After daily exploring and catching, tall tales were traded over home-cooked meals served with from-scratch baked goods and desserts. Delicious. Then conversations continued as we migrated to the lodge porch for spectacular sunsets as loons called out across glassy waters. Finally, we retired to our spacious and very comfortable cabins for the best night of sleep ever. Want to reserve your own lake for a portage? No problem! Want a steaming thermos of coffee for your boat today? No problem! Want to enjoy part of tonight’s prime rib for your boat sandwich tomorrow? No problem! It’s no wonder why every guest we met was on a return trip to Fireside Lodge. We found the fishing, hospitality, and accommodations to be ideal, and cannot wait to return ourselves. Thank you to owners and hosts extraordinaire, Alan & Audrey…this group of Fishing Gals loved every unforgettable minute!
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Date of stay: July 2017
Value
Service
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Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from ABrandys, Owner at Fireside Lodge
Responded Aug 7, 2017
It sure was our pleasure to host you and your group of ladies! You embraced not only the fishing experience, but the total atmosphere of your surroundings. We enjoyed seeing Fireside Lodge through your eyes. Thank you for choosing Fireside Lodge for your Canadian Wilderness Fishing Experience.
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We just returned from Fireside Lodge after a 9 day vacation. This was our 4th visit for my wife and I. The previous 3 visits were great so we were excited to return. We arrived 45 minutes early (for our earlier check in) so we waited in our car in the parking lot outside of the lodge. After sitting there for several minutes we noticed 1 of the owners walking around the grounds. Audrey saw our vehicle arrive and went looking for us and told us our cabin was ready. We stayed in cabin 6 and it was spotless. Alan gave us a map of the lake, boat instructions, and we were fishing within the hour. The staff was very helpful and polite. Whatever you may need they are always ready to help. The young man at the dock was exceptional. Arlow greeted us everyday and night. He made sure the boat was cleaned and ready to go for the next day. The girls in the dining room were just as nice. You will not go hungry at Fireside. Lunches are waiting for you in a cooler and coffee in your cabin. We fished from 5 am to 7 am, ate breakfast, then fished from 8 am to 9 pm. Lunch was enjoyed while motoring to another spot. We missed dinner at the lodge 5 times during our stay. When we returned to our cabin our dinner was waiting for us. We are on the water most of the time and usually we do not see any other boats except for 1 or 2 motoring by occasionally. Catch and release is what all of the guests at Fireside practice so you don’t have to worry about seeing stringers full of fish day after day. The fishing wasn’t easy but still we still managed to have a great week. My wife caught 7 Musky and I caught 3. We had many more follows or lost some at the boat. We caught a Lake Trout, a huge 40 inch Northern Pike (personal best), 200 smaller pike, and some big smallmouth bass. We fish hard from sun up to sun down. I would fish longer but we have to have the boat back at 9pm. This lake has lots of water and after 4 years we are still fishing new water. This is my 23rd year fishing in Ontario or Quebec Canada. I have seen some good lodges and I’ve been scammed by others. Fireside is the best one I have visited. After years of worrying about boats, cabins, safety, food, and fishing we no longer have to worry about that. On our travel day we fly from Pittsburgh to Toronto, Toronto to Thunder Bay, and drive 4 hours to Sioux Lookout. Flights are 1 hour to Toronto and 90 minutes to Thunder Bay. We stay at the Days Inn or Best Western for 1 day. On check in day we shop at the grocery store for fruits, snacks, beer, and wine in the town of Sioux Lookout.
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Date of stay: August 2016Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from ABrandys, Owner at Fireside Lodge
Responded Aug 12, 2016
Thank you for sharing your experience at Fireside Lodge. We are happy to see you unwind and recharge with your valuable time away from it all. Thank you for choosing Fireside Lodge once again, and it was our pleasure to host your get away.
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There are more places to choose from in the Sioux Lookout area.
LOCATION
CanadaOntarioKenora DistrictSioux Lookout
NUMBER OF ROOMS
13
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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