Pawistik Lodge

The campground across the Highway is nice and clean. I believe the lodge itself is closed. Although there are residences around the area. Very beautiful scene of the Sturgeon Weir River. Located adjacent to the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation. Beautiful area!

Haven't been there, looks good in the ads

Our group of 6 stayed last week of Aug 2014. Some of group had been there several times in the past and commented that things had gone downhill significantly. Unfortunately, many more negatives that positives to say about Pawistik. Positives +Fishing was good. Caught lots of northern pikes and walleye south of the lodge. +Beautiful river, lake, and surroundings away from lodge. Not the lodge itself. +Central Restrooms and showers are fairly decent but weren't cleaned the entire week we stayed. +Very good hot water supply in the showers only. +Fish cleaning shack was good. +The couple who tend to the lodge locally were very attentive and available 8am to 8pm to refill gas cans, etc. Negatives -Cabins very old and not cleaned. Mattress is only thing they provide and they are dirty. You have to bring sheets or sleeping bag. -Had to borrow basics cookware from other cabins (pots and pans, bowls, glasses). -Deep freezer had been thawed out and then refrozen with several inches of what appears to be fish blood and slime in the bottom. -Nails coming up on a lot of floor board which you trip on and/or snag feet, socks, and shoes. -Waist high grass and weeds around cabins which are a breeding ground for mosquitos. -Several burners on stove worked only on hi or off. One did not work at all. -No running water in cabin. You get cold water from faucet outside cabin door. You have to heat water on stove to have hot water for cleaning dishes. You wash dishes in sink that drains into 5 gallon buckets which have to be carried out and dumped. -Boats and motors are old and in dire need of replacement. Of 6 boats we rode in for our party, 5 of them leaked enough (rivets) that you had to bail out water every 10-20 minutes while you were fishing. Two motors had to be changed out the week we stayed due to maintenance issues. -For what they charge for gasoline and oil for the boat motors, you would come out well ahead to buy containers of gas and oil in Flin Flon and bring it with you to refill your gas tank for the boat. We probably used 3 gallons of fuel per day per boat but were charged about $35 for that. -You must drive your vehicle down a dirt road to reach river that is south of the lodge. Road is in horrible shape - big ruts, huge potholes, boulders. Road has not been maintained for many years. 4 miles long, but takes 30-45 minutes to drive since you have to go so slow to not tear up your vehicle. Worst of all though, the trees and brush along the road have not been trimmed for a very long time so your vehicle will get lots of scratches down it guaranteed. Only way to avoid that would be to drive in and out on a ATV with all your gear. -Cannot trust the owner (doesn't live onsite) to tell you truth about conditions at lodge. Says water is perfect when it's been very high all year. Says fish fryers are available in cabins, when no cabins have any. Etc. Summary Lodge is up for sale, so owner does not appear to be investing any money in maintenance and upkeep. Perhaps a new owners will make some desperately needed changes. Cabin is very basic and missing lots of kitchenware, so make sure you plan accordingly. If you can bring in your boat motor gas and oil, do it. Boats aren't worth the $85 per day cost, but due to the manual portages to get to any good fishing areas you are essentially stuck with that.