Air-Dale Lodge: Beyond the Catch

If you’re looking for a beautiful destination far from the hustle and bustle of city life, or if you’re longing for the peace and tranquillity of nature, look no further than Air-Dale Lodge.  

The Air-Dale Experience

I had the pleasure of driving up to Air-Dale Lodge and had a very informative talk and tour of the lodge and grounds with Jenn Wearn, who, along with her husband Martin, told me that “We started our journey over twenty-five years ago with just four camps. Today, we have grown our business to thirteen comfortable drive-in cabins/suites, and eighteen fly-in outpost camps on surrounding secluded lakes.” While fishing and hunting are the main activities of the business, anyone looking for a place to get away from it all is welcome.

Comforts of Home in the Wilderness

Each cabin comes complete with a kitchen, dining area and bathroom. All of the cabins have a screened-in porch, hot and cold running water, propane heaters, electricity, bedding, linen and towels. The main lodge and headquarters are located on two gorgeous lakes, Whitefish Lake and Manitowik Lake, just twenty minutes east of Wawa, Ontario, off Highway 101. Best known as a hunting-and-fishing destination, the lodge has so much more. It offers boat rentals, a fish cleaning station, waterside campfires, and a wood-fired sauna. There are even experienced guides for hire when you want to venture into the wilderness. 

A Hub for Dining and Gathering

“The rustic main log lodge was built by hand from trees on the property. We host weddings, birthday parties, celebrations of life and more. It is available for guests who are staying over and for the general public to dine there – reservations are highly recommended if you decide to stay for dinner/lunch,” shared Jenn. “They [the general public] are welcome to dine in our restaurant, play some pool or watch the game on the big screen TV. Our tackle/souvenir shop is a handy place for our guests to pick up what they need.” I was impressed with the fact that the main lodge and some of the cabins are powered by solar. “We invested in solar power a couple of years ago and are continuing to increase our capacity.” 

Dine Like a Local

With a set menu, the lodge offers a different main dish every day of the week except Mondays and Tuesdays. Menu items include fish and chips on Sundays. Saturdays are pork chops or steak, Thursday is a chicken dish, and Wednesdays are wing night. “If guests are looking for something else, they’re welcome to call us when making their reservation and let us know their preferences, and we will try to accommodate them.” Along with a fully licensed bar, the lodge is a fun hang-out for guests and visitors alike.

The main season is from May to October, but Air-Dale Lodge has been able to accommodate some guests outside the season depending on the circumstances. With a complement of staff members, Air-Dale Lodge attracts guests from all parts of the U.S. and Canada. “Our guests are 70% American and 30% Canadian”, said Jenn. 

The name “Air-Dale” has been known in the local aviation community since 1945 and has a long and storied history in the area, providing crucial air services in Northern Ontario. “We bought the rights to the name and branding when we bought the lodge. We are honoured to continue the legacy and have this place to make lasting memories for our guests.” 

Air-Dale Fishing and Hunting Lodge 

Jenn and Martin Wearn
1 Whitefish Lake Road, Wawa, Ontario
PH: (705) 992-3903
Email:
Web: www.air-dale.com
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