Dogskin Lake Lodge
World-class fly-in fishing with chef-prepared meals, private cabins, and 7,000 acres of exclusive water.
What to Expect on Arrival
Arrival Day
Arrive at Adventure Air base (68 Airport Rd, Lac du Bonnet) 45 minutes before your scheduled departure
Check in at the Float Base Office — let staff know you're heading to Dogskin Lake Lodge
Fill out the passenger manifest
Staff will direct you to the dock and help with luggage
Enjoy the ~1 hour scenic floatplane flight to Dogskin Lake
Lodge staff greet you at the dock and show you to your cabin
Departure Day
Pack your bags and leave them at your cabin
Enjoy your last breakfast at the lodge
Floatplane arrives mid-morning for the return flight to Lac du Bonnet
Arrive back at the float base by late morning — plan your drive home from there
Adventure Air Float Base
Float Base
Adventure Air — 68 Airport Rd, Lac du Bonnet, MB R5G 1G9
From the Twin Cities
Drive north on I-29 to Winnipeg, then Highway 59 North to Lac du Bonnet. Total: approximately 8 hours.
From Winnipeg
The Lac du Bonnet float base is just over an hour northeast of Winnipeg.
Commercial Flights
Fly into Winnipeg Richardson International Airport (YWG). Arrive the day before your departure. Shuttle service available from the airport — contact us for rates.
Nearby Hotels
Arriving the night before? These hotels are close to the float base:
- Drifter's Inn2.9 km from base
Jct of MB-11 & MB-313, Lac du Bonnet
1-204-345-2915 - Lac House Inn7.4 km from base
176 Minnewawa St, Lac du Bonnet
1-204-345-9000 - Breezy Oaks Inn52 km from base
1055 Park Ave, Beausejour
1-204-268-9050 - Papertown Motor Inn42 km from base
34 Walleye Lane, Pine Falls
1-204-367-2261 - South Beach Casino & Resort~45 min from base
One Ocean Drive, Scanterbury
1-877-775-8259
Essential Pre-Trip Checklist
Passport & Documents
A valid passport is required for all guests entering Canada. Children under 18 traveling without both parents must carry a notarized consent letter from the absent parent(s). Ensure your passport is valid for the duration of the trip.
Carry proof of vehicle insurance when driving into Canada.
Manitoba Fishing License
Manitoba now requires online fishing license purchase before your trip. Purchase at manitobaelicensing.ca and print it out before traveling. Licenses are required for guests 16 and older.
Buy Your License at manitobaelicensing.ca →Bait Restrictions
No live or dead bait is allowed across the border. Purchase frozen or salted minnows, leeches, and crawlers in Manitoba. Crawlers must be in sterile bedding (no soil). Live minnows are not allowed in Atikaki Park.
Alcohol Import Limits
Each adult (19+) may bring only ONE of: one case of beer (24 cans/bottles), 40 oz (1.14L) of hard spirits, or 53 oz (1.5L) of wine. No glass bottles are allowed on the aircraft. Keep purchase receipts.
DUI & Criminal Records
Canada is very strict regarding DUI and criminal offenses. The rules and regulations have been changing in recent years. If you or anyone in your group has a DUI or criminal record, contact Canada Border Crossing Services at 1-800-438-7020 or visit bordercrossing.ca well in advance of your trip to understand your options.
What to Bring — 80 lb Limit
Luggage
- Maximum 80 lbs per person (strictly enforced)
- Overweight charge: $2/lb over the limit
- Pack multiple small bags rather than one large bag
- Take rods apart and use hard rod cases
Clothing & Gear
- Rain gear — essential for any fishing trip
- Layers — weather can change quickly in the wilderness
- Warm fleece or jacket for cool mornings/evenings
- Comfortable footwear + extra pair of shoes
- Hat, sunglasses, sunscreen
- Bug repellent and bug jacket for shore excursions
- Personal medications (don't forget — there's no pharmacy out here)
- Fishing gear optional — loaner equipment available at the lodge
Amenities & Equipment
Cabin Amenities
- Private cabin with bathroom
- Daily housekeeping service
- All linens, pillows, comforters, and towels provided
- 24-hour electrical service
- Starlink WiFi
- Tackle shop on site
- Loaner fishing gear available
Boats & Motors
16' Lund boats with Yamaha 25 HP 4-stroke motors. Life jackets, landing nets, anchors, and measuring tapes provided. All fuel included.
Staying Connected & Emergency Info
WiFi & Connectivity
There is no cell service at the lodge or any of our outpost camps. All locations have Starlink WiFi. Connect to the WiFi network when you arrive — your host or the cabin info sheet will have the network name and password.
With WiFi calling enabled on your phone, you can make and receive regular phone calls and texts over the Starlink connection — just like being on cell service.
Starlink works well for calls, texts, email, and browsing. Streaming video or large downloads will be slower, especially with multiple people connected. Download movies, music, and maps before your trip.
WiFi Calling Setup
- iPhone: Settings → Phone → WiFi Calling → toggle ON. You may need to confirm your emergency address.
- Samsung: Settings → Connections → WiFi Calling → toggle ON.
- Google Pixel: Settings → Network & Internet → Calls & SMS → WiFi Calling → toggle ON.
- Other Android: Settings → search "WiFi Calling" → toggle ON. Contact your carrier if the option doesn't appear — some carriers require activation.
Weather
Check the Environment Canada forecast for the Lac du Bonnet area before your trip. Weather in the wilderness can change quickly — pack layers and quality rain gear regardless of the forecast. Expect warm days and cool evenings in summer, with the possibility of cold snaps early and late in the season.
Check the Forecast →Emergency Contacts
- Dogskin Lake Lodge715-955-4110
Call us first — we're the closest and can respond fastest
- Adventure Air (Lac du Bonnet)204-345-8322
Floatplane base — for flight emergencies
- Adventure Air (Bissett)204-277-5536
Alternate base
- Manitoba 911911
Via WiFi calling for police, fire, ambulance
Medical Information
The nearest health centre is in Lac du Bonnet (204-345-8647). The nearest hospitals are in Pinawa and Beausejour. In a medical emergency, call Dogskin first — we can coordinate a floatplane evacuation faster than any other option. Bring all personal medications with you — there is no pharmacy in the wilderness. First aid kits are stocked in every cabin. We strongly recommend travel and medical insurance for all guests, especially those traveling from the US.
Report Issues
If anything is broken, not working, or needs attention at your cabin — call or text us. We want to know about it so we can fix it for you and for the next group. Don't assume someone else will report it.
Fishing Dogskin Lake
Walleye
Dogskin Lake's 7,000 acres and 74 miles of shoreline offer exceptional walleye fishing throughout the season. Fish rocky points and shoreline structure in 6'-14' of water during spring through mid-June. As the water warms, walleye move deeper to 16'-25'. The daily shore lunch tradition means you'll keep a few 14"-17" walleye each day for the best meal of your trip.
Northern Pike
Trophy northern pike are everywhere on Dogskin. Target warm, weedy bays and sand-bottom areas for consistent action. Early morning and late evening produce the biggest fish. Pike move shallow in spring and fall, deeper in midsummer.
Tackle Recommendations
Walleye: 5'10"-6'6" medium-light rod, 6-8 lb test, 1/4-1/2 oz jigs with 3" grub bodies (chartreuse and yellow are top producers). Frozen minnows available at the lodge. Pike: 6'-7' medium-heavy rod, 17 lb test, steel leaders essential (9"-12"). Spoons, spinnerbaits, and bucktails. The lodge tackle shop has essentials if you forget anything.
The lodge provides all boats, motors, fuel, and basic equipment. Loaner rods available. Your guide (if booked) knows every point and reef on the lake.
All Meals Included
All meals are included in your stay. Breakfast is made to order each morning. Your daily shore lunch is a Dogskin tradition — freshly caught walleye cooked over an open fire on the shore. Dinner is chef-prepared featuring walleye chowder, fresh bread, soups, and desserts. Dietary accommodations available with advance notice.
Fishing Rules & Policies
- Barbless hooks required — barbed hooks may be used if the barb is pinched completely flat
- Catch and consume policy: keep walleye 14"-17" for shore lunch, release everything else
- Possession limit: 4 walleye (conservation license)
- Live minnows are not allowed in Atikaki Park — crawlers (must be in sterile bedding, no soil), leeches, frozen/preserved minnows and offal may be used
- Leeches must be purchased in Manitoba
- Register Master Angler catches online at anglers.travelmanitoba.com
Questions About Your Trip?
We're here to help you prepare for your Dogskin Lake Lodge adventure.