Our History
Sportsman’s Lodge was once a fishing resort deep in the wilderness of northern Canada, 50 miles beyond the end of the road. For 25 years, Tom Pierce had operated a remote angler’s paradise on the Churchill River of Saskatchewan, 1,650 miles from his hometown.
Pierce, 66, planned soon to step down in favour of his son, Tom Jr., who grew up in Oklahoma City and lived for 12 years in California, but always kept a hand in his father’s faraway enterprise.
“He’s going to be manager and owner as fast as I can turn it over to him,” said the elder Pierce. “I want to go fishing.” He knows just the place for it. Pierce discovered his Canadian hideaway in 1957 while pursuing his passion for north country fishing.
He went back a year later, made a few inquiries and leased nine acres of Crown land at the south end of McIntosh Lake, one of many formed by the Churchill as it flows north to Hudson’s Bay.
“It’s water that you can drink,” said Pierce, “and the fishing is unbelievable.”
Pierce sold his oil well service company in Oklahoma City and took to the north woods. He and his son flew to McIntosh Lake and set to work.
“We ran the bears off,” he recalled.
Enlisting a crew of 17 local Natives, he put up the lodge and six rustic log cabins, opening to guests in 1958.
“From the first day, I’ve never been in the red,” he said. “I had to learn how to run a fishing lodge.”
“I never intended to get into the business full time, but after the first year I had a bear by the tail and couldn’t turn loose.”
Three years after settling in at McIntosh Lake, Pierce had the opportunity to buy his isolated tract for $3,500. He took advantage of it. Now, he said, you can’t buy Canadian wilderness land at any price.
Pierce added a cabin a year until he had a dozen surrounding the main lodge where guests dine together on what he insists is “the finest food money can buy.”
“I found out right away that I couldn’t get my money back with six cabins,” he said.
He also built an outpost camp 12 miles from the lodge where those so inclined can travel by boat and do just as they please for as long as they like.
He set up his own electrical plant, dug for his own water and installed his own plumbing. Each cabin, he said, is completely modern.
Every piece of equipment was flown in by float plane.
“I’ve never done anything in my life that I’ve known anything about,” said Pierce, “and that includes building a fish camp.”
He is nevertheless proud of his handiwork.
“There are camps scattered all over, but none close,” he said.
“There’s hardly a camp in Canada that would compare to this one.”
Pierce said he eventually invested $600,000 in the operation, luckily doing everything he wanted to do before inflation sent prices out of sight.
“You couldn’t build it now,” Pierce said.
Visitors pay their own way to La Ronge, Saskatchewan, a community of 5,000 residents that has grown from a village of 800 since Pierce began operating.
From that point, everything except incidentals is covered by Pierce’s rates. He maintains a tackle shop and grocery store where guests can pick up what they’ve forgotten or outfit themselves for a week at the outpost cabin.
He said guests usually fly in late in the day, get situated and the first thing after breakfast the next morning they go fishing.
“There’s just no fishing like this any closer to the states,” said Pierce. “There is no end to the fishing. I’m talking about 50 to 75 fish a day.”
The lodge’s record for northern pike is 34 pounds, Pierce said, and walleye from 3 to 5 pounds are caught in large numbers. The water harbours big lake trout as well, but they are tough to catch.
Pierce had 30 Native guides who put visitors on the fish and prepare a shore lunch each day. He also has a camp staff of 16.
“What we do is try to get in just before the ice goes out,” he said. “We get everything ready and open May 24. It’s a short season, just three months.”
Pierce can accommodate up to 73 guests, but tries to hold the number low enough so that arrivals and departures overlap, keeping the equipment in constant use.
Pierce said he was “in and out” throughout the season. He had a caretaker during the winter.
He said he had never considered moving closer to his work.
“This is my home,” he said. “This is where my children grew up.”
He traveled often, promoting the lodge all over the country, although he said 90 percent of his bookings are repeat visitors. A number of fellow Oklahomans visit each year, he said.
Pierce said he had been so busy promoting his Canadian venture he lost track of what attracted him to the Churchill River in the first place.
“I’ve done less fishing,” he said, “since I built the camp.”
That, he said, is a situation he intends to correct!
The Next Chapter
The story of Six Lakes Lodge began way back in 1957 when a gentleman from Oklahoma named Tom Pierce followed his passion for the wilderness and discovered an angler’s paradise deep in the heart of northern Saskatchewan. Back then, it was known as Sportsman’s Lodge, a remote outpost on the legendary Churchill River system, where the crystal-clear waters are teeming with trophy northern pike, walleye and lake trout.
Pierce carved his dream life out of the wild, building cabins by hand, running off curious bears, and creating a fishing camp that truly became the stuff legends are made of. He welcomed generations of anglers, promising not just world-class fishing but a true escape into the untouched beauty of the north.
Now, a new era has begun.
A Legacy Reimagined
Today, under new ownership, the lodge has undergone a remarkable transformation. While the unparalleled fishing, stunning scenery, and rich history remain, we’ve reimagined what a fly-in lodge can be.
We are proud to introduce Six Lakes Lodge, a destination that honours its storied past while embracing the comforts of today. A brand new main lodge, beautifully renovated cabins, and modern amenities ensure that after a long day on the water, you can relax in comfort and style.
But that’s not all.
Introducing High-End Dining in the Wilderness
Tom Pierce always prided himself on offering “the finest food money can buy,” and we’re taking that philosophy to the next level. Our new high-end dining experience brings gourmet meals to the wilderness, featuring fresh, locally inspired ingredients prepared by our expert chef.
Imagine starting your day with a hearty, chef-prepared breakfast, heading out for a morning of incredible fishing, and then returning to the lodge for an elegant dinner overlooking the lake, all in the heart of the northern wilderness.
Still The Same Unbelievable Fishing
Just as in Pierce’s time, the waters of the Churchill River system remain one of Canada’s premier fisheries. Guests still experience the thrill of catching 50 to 75 fish a day, with massive northern pike lurking in the shallows and walleye waiting in the fast-moving currents. The trophy fish are still here—waiting for the next angler to make their mark.
The Adventure Of A Lifetime Awaits
Six Lakes Lodge is more than just a fishing trip, it’s an escape into the wild, where the only sounds are the calls of loons, the splash of a fish breaking the surface, and the crackle of a campfire under the dancing northern lights.
While the lodge has changed, our mission remains the same: to offer guests the ultimate remote fishing experience, where adventure meets comfort in one of Canada’s most spectacular settings.
Join us this season and be part of the next chapter in this incredible story.
Are you ready for your Six Lakes adventure?