One of the most common questions we get from guests planning their first trip is: "Should we stay at the lodge or book an outpost?" It's a great question, and the honest answer is that both are excellent — they're just different experiences for different types of groups.
We've been running both Dogskin Lake Lodge and our four outpost camps for decades, so here's our straightforward take on how to decide.
The Lodge Experience: Full-Service and Comfortable
Dogskin Lake Lodge is a full-service American Plan lodge. That means everything is included and taken care of from the moment you step off the floatplane.
Accommodations: You'll stay in a private cabin with your own bathroom, thermostat-controlled heating and cooling, a three-season porch, and daily maid service. All linens, pillows, and comforters are provided. The cabins are connected by a scenic boardwalk, and the lodge has 24-hour electrical service and phone access.
Meals: This is where the lodge really shines. Breakfast is made to order each morning. At 11 AM, you pick up a staff-prepared shore lunch — fresh walleye cooked on the shore is one of the great traditions of a Canadian fishing trip. Dinner is chef-prepared and features walleye chowder, fresh bread, signature desserts, and the famous bumbleberry pie with homemade ice cream. You will not go hungry.
Equipment: 16-foot Lund walk-through boats with Yamaha 25 HP four-stroke motors, up to three high-back swivel seats per boat. Flotation cushions, life jackets, anchors, nets, measuring tapes, and all fuel are provided. Boats are checked, cleaned, and fueled daily by our staff.
Water: 7,000 acres of exclusive water with 74 miles of shoreline and a max depth of 65 feet. Outstanding walleye and northern pike.
Guides: Available at $250 per day for guests who want them.
The Outpost Experience: Your Own Lake, Your Own Adventure
Our four outpost camps are on exclusive lakes where we hold the only outfitting rights. When your group flies in, you have an entire lake to yourselves. There are no other guests, no other lodges, and no other anglers. Just your group and the fish.
Accommodations: Modern solar-powered cabins with kitchen facilities and satellite communication for emergencies. Each outpost is a bit different — Mannifrank Lake has a brand-new cabin rebuilt in 2025 with a shower and full kitchen, while South Eagle Lake is a more traditional camp using LP gas. All are comfortable and well-maintained.
Meals: This is the key difference. You bring your own food and cook your own meals. If you're the kind of group that enjoys cooking together, this is part of the fun. We also offer custom food packages if you'd rather not pack all your groceries.
Equipment: Boats (14 to 16 feet) and motors (8 to 15 HP depending on the outpost) are provided, along with fuel, landing nets, and basic equipment. The boats are smaller and the motors less powerful than the lodge, but they're well-suited to the smaller outpost lakes.
Water: Each outpost sits on 1,100 to 1,700 acres of exclusive water, with some offering portage lakes for even more fishing variety. Species are walleye and northern pike across the board, with jumbo perch available at South Eagle Lake.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Here's the quick breakdown:
- Meals: Lodge = all included and chef-prepared. Outpost = bring your own or order a food package.
- Cabins: Lodge = private bath, heat/AC, maid service. Outpost = solar-powered, modern but simpler.
- Boats: Lodge = 16' Lund, 25 HP Yamaha. Outpost = 14-16', 8-15 HP motors.
- Privacy: Lodge = share the main lake with other lodge parties (plenty of room on 7,000 acres). Outpost = entire lake is exclusively yours.
- Guides: Lodge = available. Outpost = not available.
- Luggage limit: Lodge = 80 lbs. Outpost = 100 lbs (extra for food).
- Minimum guests: Lodge = no minimum. Outpost = 4 guests minimum.
- Children: Lodge = half price for kids 17 and under with an adult. Outpost = no child discount.
Who Should Choose the Lodge
- First-timers: If you've never done a fly-in fishing trip before, start at the lodge. Everything is handled for you, the staff knows the lake inside and out, and you'll learn the ropes in total comfort.
- Families with kids: The lodge is a great family experience. Kids eat for half price, the food is outstanding, and you don't have to worry about cooking or logistics.
- Groups who want to focus on fishing: No cooking, no cleaning, no thinking about meals. You fish all day, come back to a chef-prepared dinner, and do it again tomorrow.
- Couples or smaller groups: The lodge has no minimum guest requirement, so even two people can book a trip.
Who Should Choose an Outpost
- Experienced anglers who want total privacy: If having an entire lake to your group is the dream, an outpost delivers that in a way the lodge can't.
- Fishing buddies and annual trip groups: If your group likes to cook together, tell stories around the table, and run your own schedule, the outpost experience is hard to beat.
- Budget-conscious groups: Outpost rates start lower than the lodge. For a group of four or more, it can be a more affordable way to get the fly-in experience. See current pricing at dogskin.com/outposts.
- Adventure seekers: If you want a more rugged, self-reliant experience in the Canadian wilderness, outpost camps deliver that authenticity.
A Quick Look at Our Four Outposts
- Mannifrank Lake: Premier outpost. 1,700 acres plus an 800-acre portage lake. Brand-new cabin rebuilt in 2025. Sleeps 8.
- Noname Lake: Sits on a major river system with rapids, creating a unique fishery. 1,100 acres plus a 600-acre portage lake. Sleeps 8.
- Black Lake: Eight-mile waterway with islands for wind-sheltered fishing in any conditions. 1,400 acres. Sleeps 8.
- South Eagle Lake: Most affordable option. 1,700 acres. Two cabins, sleeps 12. Traditional camp style with LP gas. Also features jumbo perch.
Can You Do Both?
Some groups split their trip — a few nights at an outpost followed by a few nights at the lodge (or vice versa). If that appeals to you, get in touch and we'll help you plan a combo trip.
Still Not Sure?
We're always happy to talk through the options with you. Every group is different, and we've been helping people pick the right experience for over 25 years. Give us a call at 715-955-4110 or visit our contact page. We'll ask a few questions about your group and help you figure out the perfect fit.