Cedar Island Lodge is a Canadian fishing lodge situated on beautiful Pipestone Lake in Northwestern Ontario. Trophy Musky, Walleye, Northern Pike, Lake Trout, Smallmouth Bass & Largemouth Bass fishing. We offer four modern, rustic cabins with knotty pine interior, full kitchen, private bath & fresh linens. Cabins are heated by wood stove or propane heaters. Our boat-in fishing resort is nestled amongst the cedar & pine trees on a private three acre island. American Plan, Housekeeping, Corporate and custom packages are available. Indulge yourself...
Our group of 6 visited June 11-18. Carrie and her crew were the best hosts we've ever had for any of our trips to Ontario. Absolutely first class! Fishing was great if you like trophy fish. Numbers for walleye were not great on Pipestone but size was outstanding, our average walleye was 25" with the largest being 29". We were able to use their guide service to Yoke Lake where we caught plenty of eater walleye as well as a few that went over 24". Guide service by Jessie and Jason was outstanding. We'll definitely be back.
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Date of stay: June 2022
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.
The Fabulous Baker girls (Carrie & Jessie) as well as the rest of the Cedar Island staff are wonderful. After fishing on Lake of the Woods for 25+ years are group decided to give Cedar Island Lodge (PipeStone Lake) a try...and we were not disappointed. Everthing from the accomodations, food and fishing were top notch. From the moment we arrived on the island we were treated like family. I would highly recommend Cedar Island Lodge if you are looking for a first rate Canadian fishing experience.
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Date of stay: June 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Traveled 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.
Cedar Island lodge is probably the best kept secret in all of Canada. I've been to numerous lakes, and have been to more Canadian camps than I can count. Cedar Island Lodge tops the list for everything you can imagine. Great hosts who do everything they can to make your trip enjoyable. The fishing is incredible from giant musky to delicious Walleye, and hard fighting Lake Trout you couldn't ask for a better place to visit. Bryan Lee Franklin, WI
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Date of stay: July 2017Trip type: Traveled 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.
Before visiting, I read all the reviews. The cynic in me said, "Really? All 5 stars? That doesn't seem right". Well this cynic was shown that YES, those reviews are legitimate.
Previously I had fished the French River for 36 years and at only two lodges. I am very brand loyal. We only started looking for a new home because when my family goes to a fishing destination we are looking to fish. Something is happening in the waters of the French River and it is killing off all the weed beds. In turn, the fishing is not what it once was. It was time to find a new home.
No more searching. We are home. Now on to the review of Cedar Island Lodge and Pipestone Lake.
We were greeted by the owners, Todd and Carrie, at the boat ramp. Cold beers in the cooler for those that wanted one. After 2 days of driving it was more than welcomed. Both are down to earth and the friendliest people you will meet. Their daughter cooks and serves on the American Plan. She is also an avid musky angler. Check out her posts of the latest catch on Instagram.
The owners always have time for a child's retelling of the days events and even have follow up questions and show real interest on the third retelling in 10 minutes. This is a very family friendly lodge. However, if you are just a hardcore fisherman looking for a new home this place is also for you. Todd will give you a map with details on weed lines, what has been working, and answer any questions you might have.
The food is incredible. My picky 8-year old inhaled everything as did the adults at both breakfast and dinner. Each day we went with the packed lunch instead of the shore lunch option. If you like a shore lunch, you can do that daily as the waters will provide.
Cabins are spotless, made of cedar with good screens that keep the bugs out. Clean linens and new mattresses. Also, a spare centrally located bathroom building in case someone is taking too long in your cabin bathroom. Bathrooms are clean. Water pressure is also very good.
Boats 60 hp Yamaha with a push button trim and starter. Which is great for when your son (or yourself launches a lure into the shrubs, down tree, rock pile etc.) to get in close and retrieve it. Boats were fueled up and your lunch in the boat by the time you finished breakfast. Boat was clean and sat 3 adults and a child comfortably. Trolling motor on the front that we used hard all day and it kept its charge. Humminbird sonar was installed on ours but we bring our own portable unit for our waypoints.
There is currently no map chip for Pipestone lake. You need to download the TopoMaps+ app and you will get the lake and be able to use GPS for locations. However, this is a hiking app so the lakes don't show depth. We just used our Humminbird unit to mark waypoints for weed beds and fish.
Fishing August and the weeds are still bright green. Cabbage and lots of broad leaf weed beds full of fish. Go North of the lodge for big weed flats that you can drift full of pike and largemouth. South working the timber fields and rocks for hard fighting smallies. I don’t know what’s in the water, but the pike jump like musky. Marked a lot of musky and we don’t target them. My father even boated the first in his life, so that was very special for us.
The week we were there, 8.5-10.5 for the fish with 9.5 feet as the sweet spot for us. Crankbaits, white and chartreuse spinnerbaits with trailer hooks and shad raps all worked. For bigger fish, we used large tubes (white, pumpkin), Super Shad Raps (Perch, Chartreuse), and the largest clackin rap. Had a lot of fun jigging wacky rigged senkos (blue with blue flake, black with red flake, green pumpkin) with a 1/8 wacky hook with a weed guard when the wind wasn’t blowing or we were behind a protected island.
In summary, owners are great, lodge is great, fishing is great. 5 stars.
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Date of stay: August 2018
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Trip type: Traveled 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.
Wish we would have found Cedar Island Lodge a long time ago!
Todd, Carrie and staff went above and beyond to make our group feel comfortable and relaxed in a secluded atmosphere, wishing we could extend our stay. Lots of special touches-fresh baked sugar cookies on the kitchen table in your cabin,fish cleaning service that includes “bat wings” (a walleye delicacy that looks like a shrimp with tail on it) clean cabin windows to enjoy lake views and sunsets, comfy beds, wood burning hot tub,and much more!
Highlights of the trip included: -Getting to know Todd, Carrie and Jessie-they are great people-super hard working in a friendly laid back manner. -Great fishing-walleye limits and musky fishing that included seeing multiple fish everyday and thanks to Jessie’s BYOB Guide Service boating 40” and 46” fish. Trout and smallmouth fishing is also excellent but we’ll save that for next trip.
Having stayed at many fishing camps I would highly recommend Cedar Island Lodge-you won’t be disappointed!
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Date of stay: June 2018Trip type: Traveled 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.
Fair warning. This is my second review of Cedar Island. There's nothing in the first review I'd want to change, but after a couple of additional visits I do want to add more comments.
Cedar Island remains a first rate Canadian Shield, North Country, roadless fishing lodge destination. The location has easy access by means of a mechanical boat portage, but without the to do and fishing pressure of being accessible by road. But you don't have to fly, or pay the tariff for a flight, or hope the weather permits that flight in or out. Boat in and out, but to a roadless lake system.
The lodge is well located on a sheltered island on Pipestone Lake. Pipestone itself is a clear water lake, big but with many of the bays, islands, and arms that allow for a real variety of fish habitats and fishing opportunities. Pipestone has been designated a "Conservation Lake", which means it has an extra layer of official protections. The consequence has been to preserve the natural beauty and more pristine features of the area. It's a beauty.
Cedar Island Lodge is small enough to be intimate but large enough to offer everything necessary for the Canadian fishing experience you hope for. It's just very nice.
The cabins are pretty, clean, newer, very functional and sufficient kitchens, all with nice and comfortable baths, excellent mattresses for those in the boat all day need to stretch out times, fine views. Sandy and I traveled alone, but parties of up to 8 can easily share a cabin. The Lodge offers both American Plan with Lodge prepared meals, or self fed housekeeping with the full kitchens provided in the cabins.
Excellent Lund fishing boats with 50 HP 4 stroke Yamahas, deck mounted trolling motors, and fish finders are available if you don't bring your own. There are adjacent lakes able to be utilized as well.
Pipestone Lake offers the chance for a 4 species grand slam in a single day---world class Musky, Lake Trout in many different locations with big fish common, Walleye, pretty legendary Smallmouth, and of course Northern Pike. There has been a considerable shift to catch and release, and the fish populations are healthy and the individuals fat. The Lodge offers guide service, a particular plus for Musky or Lake Trout, or visits to one of the adjacent lakes.
So, all the right stuff, and frankly, just what you hope to find when you travel North, and what can be found in other places as well. What makes this experience at Cedar Island Lodge so extra special are the owners. I know every reviewer says the same things, so I'll try not to be too repetitive, but Todd and Carrie and Jessi have that gift of being both forthright and warm at the same time. It would be a bit hard not to feel like old friends after a week. The care they extend to their guests is genuine and comfortable, and completely sufficient to their needs. With a certainty those folks who are there to help you have that best possible experience, will do just that.
Then there are the Chipmunks. It has to be experienced.
Last week Sandy caught a personal best Lake Trout (28") and Walleye (27 1/2"). We had a random hook of a roughly 50" Musky on a Crappie Rod, to the boat twice before it decided it had played long enough, and 66 Smallmouth on a single day. The fine fellows in the adjacent cabin had several special days as well, with a veteran Northwoods fisherman boating a personal best 42" Northern. Do these fish jump in the boat? Nope, it takes the usual efforts to find and tempt and catch fish here like it always does. But there is the genuine opportunity for both big sizes and big numbers if it's your lucky day---or for those who are just really good at making that so.
There are many fine lodges on many fine lakes in this "Sunset Country". This one is not unique, It is just that all things taken together Cedar Island Lodge is as good as it gets, and how can you ask for better than that?---but book in advance, there aren't that many slots to fill, and too many of us keep going back, and writing these happy reviews.
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Date of stay: June 2018
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Room Tip:Take Todd and Carrie's advice. They are all nice, just different sizes.
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.
When we arrived at the dock we were greeted by Jessie and we could tell right away it was going to be a great stay. Then Carrie gave us a quick tour of the grounds & cabins and then to our cabin, which was clean, welcoming and ready for us to move in, including a plate of fresh baked cookies. After a first night of rain we were blessed with sunshine and warm weather for 4 days to make our stay very enjoyable. As other guests arrived we could see that the Cedar Island team greats and treats all parties with the same Red Carpet treatment, the sign of a well run camp. Any questions we had for them they would take the time to answer and help out in any way needed. If anyone reading this is curious about Cedar Island Lodge, just book your trip and experience the greatness first hand. You will not be disappointed. Thanks to Carrie, Todd, Jessie, Mike and the rest of the Cedar Island Team for a great stay. Lee & Lori Fesenmaier - St. CLoud, Mn
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Date of stay: May 2018
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Traveled with family
Room Tip:All cabins are great and they will size you up with your group size.
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.
Came down for a weekend from Winnipeg with a group of friends.
The cabins and ground were meticulously maintained, the wood fired Hottub was a great end to a long fishing day (we were in it during a storm which made it extra great).
The family and staff were very helpful and welcoming in all regards even though we were up pretty late. There is even an area on the island with cell service for those unable to "unplug".
Fishing: Mikey was an excellent guide and knew all the "spots" for the various fish the lake has to offer. Also, the lake was much larger than anticipated and was very private. Had a delicious shore lunch with all the fixens.
Hope to spend more time Muskee fishing this summer when we return!
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Date of stay: July 2015Trip type: Traveled 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.
Great resort in a beautiful location. Owners and staff go above and beyond to make your stay great, with great guided fishing tours. Musky and walleye fishing was awesome. Thank you Mike and Jesse for the great shore lunch with the walleye we caught that morning , I'll definitely be back again this summer!
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Date of stay: May 2016Trip type: Traveled 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.
Amazing place!! Wonderful owners. Todd and Carre ensure your every need is meet. You're absolutely not ruffling it at this place like you would be at the others around it. We've stayed at two different lodges on the lake and this one isn't even in the same category. Plenty of amazing food (with the American Plan). Sealy Posturpedic mattresses in all the lodges, amazing turn down daily (with the American Plan). Mike was an awesome fishing guide for those two days we had him. This overall was by far and away the best stay of the three we've had at Pipestone Lake Chain. This is a bring your wife type of stay. They even have a wood burning hot tub on their island!! The boats here are very nice with 50-60hp engines, and Todd and Carre aren't afraid to tell you their favorite fishing holes. This lake has six portages you can access with boats that Cedar Island Lodge have in place. The breakfast, lunch, and dinner cook was excellent.
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Date of stay: June 2018Trip type: Traveled 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.
There are more places to choose from in the Emo area.
LOCATION
CanadaOntarioEmo
NUMBER OF ROOMS
4
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