Don’t just take our word for it. Read the Duck Bay Lodge reviews submitted by our guests.
Hi Duck Bay, I wanted to express how very much I enjoyed myself these past few days. First. the resort itself is so beautifully situated and well maintained. The cabins are very nice and neat as a pin with the maid service cleaning every day. But, I must say your greatest resource is your staff. Ziggy is a marvelous cook with a fun personality. Vera and Cheyenne are genuinely nice people and were ready to accommodate your every request. And, Nick was a great guide. I rate this a 5 star stay. Thanks for making this so enjoyable!!
Tom M (Mokena, IL) Summer 2023
Thank you for the best fishing experience ever, we have never caught so many fish! The lodge and scenery were just beautiful, the food was great and the staff was so friendly and accommodating. Can’t say enough good things about our guides, they were so personable and knowledgeable, every day was another adventure we’ll never forget, thanks again for just a super great time.
Jim and Brian Thompson (Pipersville, PA) Summer 2022
We've just returned from another wonderful fishing trip to Duck Bay Lodge. The fishing was great, the guides were friendly and skilled, the meals were exceptional and the cabins were clean, spacious and comfortable. We've been returning to Lake of the Woods for almost twenty years now. Once you've stayed at Duck Bay Lodge you'll not want to stay anywhere else.
Tom and Marlene Moran (Indian Head Park, Illinois) Summer 2022
Hey Dan....Congratulations on your acquisition of Duck Bay Lodge. It was great to meet you on our late September trip this fall. Fishing was great! Your service, food, accommodations, hospitality and personal extra efforts were terrific also....all within the fine tradition and reputation of Duck Bay Lodge. You are off to a great new start. Duck Bay is a special and favorite spot for us. We have had some great Canadian Walleye and Pike fishing there over the past several years. Looking forward to the date we have booked for next year.
Dale Thompson Family and Friends
WOW!! John's 3rd or more visit, my 1st, totally knocked it out of the park! The fishing was great - the guides, John & Wild Bill both did an outstanding job! The hospitality is 2nd to none!! Everyone is so kind and helpful! This lodge runs like a "well oiled machine". The food "omg" is excellent. The kitchen staff - boy you don't get that kind of attention at a restaurant! Everyone made us feel so special! Look forward to coming back again!
John & Jackie McLean
Payola, KS
My sons and I would like to thank Sheree and Dave and their entire staff for a most memorable experience. When I set out to plan a trip for me and the boys, this is exactly what I had in mind. A perfect setting to fish, relax and create memories we will have forever. We all were lucky enough to enjoy exciting catches: Jacob got a big muskie, Benjamin caught a huge smallmouth bass and the worst fisherman on earth (me) even caught a 28 inch walleye. Special thanks to two great guides - Kerry and Troy. We look forward to a return trip soon.
Bruce, Jacob & Ben Eisenberg
McKinney, TX
We wanted to go on a Canada fishing trip for our 30th wedding anniversary and booked Duck Bay Lodge after reviewing their website. We loved everything here at Duck Bay and can't thank everyone enough. We will definitely be back and hope to bring more people! We caught walleye, crappies, and perch. The guides are awesome - love Wild Bill and his fish stories! Pat caught the biggest walleye; the challenge on! Sheree and Dave, it was so nice to meet you and all the staff. We felt so welcome and will remember this trip forever!
Pat & Jane Murphy
Ramsey, MN
Wonderful first time here! Our group is celebrating our 26th trip together as a band of brothers taking a Canadian fishing trip. Duck Bay Lodge is an outstanding place, made even more so by great guides, great staff, great food! Many thanks.
Joe, John, Rich, Walter, Leo, & Al
Rhode Island & Massachusetts
We are a grandson, father & grandfather on a trip to Canada to fish. We couldn't have ended up at a better place! I was here 13 years ago and it is even better. The staff are the best, the food is wonderful and Bill, our guide, is the "salt of the earth" type of guy. Best place ever!
Erik, Ethan & Ken Orstead
Indianapolis, IN & Des Plaines, IL
This is my first time to Canada. I came with my husband & father-in-law. They have been to Duck Bay Lodge many, many times (since 1990) and it was everything they said it would be. The staff was amazing, the guides were great, the scenery is beautiful. We will be back no doubt. Oh, and the food was fantastic too!
Rita & George Tesch, George Tesch Sr
Chandler, AZ & Olivia MN
Sheree and Dave - We are back in Kansas safe and sound and back to the rat race. But I wanted to take a minute to let you know how grateful we are for the opportunity we had last week to share time with you and your staff. What a wonderful trip to Duck Bay Lodge. I mentioned before that when I talked to Bill and Damon New about Duck Bay Lodge, they always talk about the fishing and food and environment and scenery and hospitality. But the FIRST thing they always want to talk about is the two of you. They assured me that you were wonderful people and incredibly gracious hosts - and I have to say you surpassed their assurances.
It was incredible to catch musky and northerns, which was a new experience for David and me. So you can count on us to spread the word about Duck Bay Lodge to others. And like the News, we will talk about the fishing and food and scenery - but first we will talk about you all and your staff and the first class experience you offer.
Thanks again. Best wishes for the remaining season and beyond. We will look forward to seeing you again someday.
Bill Grant
Basehor, KS
Another wonderful fishing trip! We celebrated our 4th anniversary this year (we were married in front of the fireplace at Duck Bay Lodge 4 years ago). Lots of fish, fun and laughter with our great guide Jimmy. Thank you to our friends Dave and Sheree, the best hosts ever. Already looking forward to next year.
Jay & Donna Sidmore
Aurora, IL
Here is the story about three women who are lifelong friends. One day the conversation surfaced about fishing and "wanting to catch fish like the guys". After a little research, reading reviews and multiple emails and calls to Duck Bay Lodge, we booked our trip. And invited our husbands to join us.
Our stay at Duck Bay Lodge exceeded our expectations! Clean, friendly accommodations; beautiful and a total memory-maker. Oh - and we caught fish BETTER than the guys!! Walleye limits, crappies galore, and northern pike. All of the staff are exceptional. We are grateful for this opportunity and hope to return! We are "hooked".
Steve & Cheryl Ranta
New Hope, MN
This was our first time at Duck Bay Lodge - definitely not the last. GREAT fishing, food, staff and weather. Learned a lot from Sam, our guide. Caught HUGE crappies, tons of walleye and northern, had fun shore lunches and time at the lodge. So impressed with the service and the way we all felt welcomed.
Mike & Renae Renstrom (here with a group of 6 lifelong friends)
Minneapolis, MN
Dave / Sheree
Thank you for all your hospitality and exceptional service to our recent family outing at Duck Bay Lodge. For many of us, it was our first ever fishing outing. I'm sure your guides could tell that we did not know one end of a fishing pole from the other! But we are now "hooked"!
Thank you again. We wish you all the best as you close out your season.
Todd Mockler
Hudson, WI
Dave & Sheree,
The Ritters are having some NorthWoods withdrawal issues. There's no more falling asleep to the sound of waves lapping on the shore or awakening to the cry of the loon. Thank you very much for giving us such a wonderful time there. Your attention to the gluten-free issue is beyond the call of duty; you offer the perfect amount of rustic and refinement. We hope the season goes well for you and look forward to the day the whole family can make the trip!
Cathy and Dave Ritter
Roberts, MT
Dave, Sheree, Anne-Marie, Jessica, Shamiso & Maddy,
Thank you for everything you did to make our stay at Duck Bay Lodge a wonderful experience. The cabins are so comfortable and clean; the food incredibly delicious and the boats were just perfect. Thanks Maddy, for finding me the life jacket - it fit like a glove and gave me extra peace of mind. I can't wait to get home and recommend Duck Bay Lodge to my friends who enjoy fishing or just getting away to a beautiful, peaceful place where you are taken care of with thoughtfulness on every level. We had a great time. Thank you again for everything.
Jim and Patti Nord
Racine, WI
Thank you for a great vacation experience. The level of professionalism was unprecedented. George and I gave your lodge an A+ in the following areas: 1. food 2. fishing 3. guide service and 4. camp staff. I look forward to recommending your lodge to my friends and family. We look forward to another stay at your lodge in the near future. Thanks again.
Alex Glann
Runnells, IA
Thanks to all of you for making our 10th straight year at Duck Bay Lodge better than ever. I cannot say enough about your efforts in accommodating our group and all our unique requests. I’m sure you often hear about what a great place you have and the impressive operation you run. But I want to know how much we enjoy all of your staff, guides and guests we have met over the years. You are great people and have become good friends that I look forward to seeing each fall. I wish you the best in closing out the year and relaxing in the off-season ahead.
Dan Polachek
Vice President & Design Principal
HGA Architects and Engineers
Minneapolis, MN
What a wonderful time we had! I didn’t think it could be better than the previous times we have been here, but it just keeps getting better; how you can improve on excellent is beyond me! Your staff is so helpful and kind. It seems like one big family. We always feel so comfortable when we are here. And such good food, too. We need to go on diets when we get home!
Catching the 54-inch muskie was certainly a bonus and a SURPRISE! I have great stories to tell and memories to keep. May God bless and keep you!
Colleen and Brad Park
Nowata, OK
Memories of 30 Years Ago
I enjoy your email newsletter, and your “memories” in recent newsletters jogged a memory for me. About 30 years ago, give or take, on a fall day, Jerry Hayenga and I walked the grounds of an abandoned resort (Duck Bay Lodge) looking for grouse. I remember at the time thinking, what a beautiful place and such a waste to see it deteriorating.
Well, along came the Swistun family and I have watched a truly magnificent transformation! The work that you (Dave and Sheree) and Henry and others put into Duck Bay is remarkable. It is top shelf in all regards…the accommodations, excellent food, great service and genuine hospitality are exceeded only by the friendly smiles at the dock and in the dining room. I only wish I still had my business, so I could again bring groups to Duck Bay for that “experience of a lifetime”!
All good wishes for a healthy, happy and prosperous New Year! See you in the spring.
Greg Johnson
St. Cloud, MN
Our walleye and perch have arrived home safely and we look forward to reliving the wonderful time we had every time we enjoy a fish dinner. I thought I would share this photo of Tom and his 39-inch northern. What a moment it was when Bryan had to pull out his tape measure since the boat chart was too short! So far, that is the largest fish Tom has ever caught.
I can’t thank you enough for helping make this a dream vacation for us, with all the extra care taken to get us around safely. Now that Tom has out-fished me, I definitely must return to look for a bigger fish. Wishing you a great year until we can meet again.
Marlene and Tom Moran
Indian Head Park, IL
Greetings from New Jersey! As promised, I’ve attached a few photos of the fish we got during our stay. I wanted to let you know again, that in nine years of traveling north, our trip to Lake of the Wood and your lodge this year was by far the best trip to Canada we’ve had yet. You run an awesome camp and you can be sure that I will spread the word about Duck Bay Lodge. I look forward to seeing you guys again next year…possibly more than once!
Shawn Paladini
Sparta, NJ
