Wheaton's Lodge — Hotel in Forest City Township

My wife and I just stayed for a week at Wheaton's Lodge with the owners Patrick and Sandy. We have been to Wheaton's five times over 40 years. It is a special treat each time. I first went at 25 years of age, this time I was 64. This time we stayed in a cabin for two by the Lake called Pine Cone. It has a living area, a wood stove (we did not need it), two beds and a small bathroom. The cabin has basic wifi. There are no TVs. It also had a spacious screened in porch with comfortable Adirondack chairs and a beautiful view of the lake. There are about 10 cabins total of different sizes. It was mostly full when we were there this time, I'd say 14 to 18 people. We brought our small dog. I went out fishing for Smallmouth bass with a guide (Dale) on three days. My wife road a bike (provided), paddled a kayak (provided) and used her personal Stand Up Paddleboard that she brought. The food is good, which is fortunate for there is not any other anywhere around. You are quite literally away from it all. The three main meals a day are good and I ate too much and gained weight (on me...) the baked goods and deserts are outstanding. You eat breakfast and dinner in the main dining room. You get a full picnic lunch to eat at your leisure (unless you go fishing with a guide). In that case he cooks you a shoreside lunch deep in the woods over an open wood fire (I enjoyed that as much as the fishing). As to the fishing, on each occasion I caught enough good sized Smallmouth bass to wear my arms out. (First day 60 of all sizes, second day 35 focused on larger fish and got them too (at my request), third day he took me to look for moose (didn't see any) and other beautiful lake areas and wildlife (eagles, herons, loons) at my request. We still managed to get 25 to 30 larger Smallmouths (2 to 3lbs, a few over that). If you want to fish for Salmon you can, I am a Smallmouth kind of guy. You fish rain or shine. We had decent weather, some rain patches. All the Smallmouth is catch and release. I fished from a kayak one day and caught good Smallmouth. There is a stream that is the Canadian border you can wade and fish. The Lodge is about 100 yards from the Canadian border. Any of the guides they provide will be good ones who have been with them for years. The guide costs are very reasonable. I have used guides in a number of places, and dollar for dollar have got the most money's worth here. I flat out enjoy this place and will be coming back until they throw dirt in my face. It is rustic, but clean and comfortable. The cost, to my mind is very reasonable and the value you get is outstanding. I read a negative review (one single review) complaining about hidden costs. That is BS. Everything is laid out on the website. If you want extras (fishing licenses, bait, etc) you pay for them and nothing is inflated, please completely disregard that review. Read the website, talk to Sandy or Patrick and come take a trip to remember, and you...

My wife and I stayed for a week at Wheaton's Lodge with the owners Patrick and Sandy. We have been to Wheaton's five times over 40 years. It is a special treat each time. I first went at 25 years of age, this time I was 64. This time we stayed in a cabin for two by the Lake called Pine Cone. It has a living area, a wood stove (we did not need it), two beds and a small bathroom. The cabin has basic wifi. There are no TVs. It also had a spacious screened in porch with comfortable Adirondack chairs and a beautiful view of the lake. There are about 10 cabins total of different sizes. It was mostly full when we were there this time, I'd say 14 to 18 people. We brought our small dog. I went out fishing for Smallmouth bass with a guide (Dale) on three days. My wife road a bike (provided), paddled a kayak (provided) and used her personal Stand Up Paddleboard that she brought. The food is good, which is fortunate for there is not any other anywhere around. You are quite literally away from it all. The three main meals a day are good and I ate too much and gained weight (on me...) the baked goods and deserts are outstanding. You eat breakfast and dinner in the main dining room. You get a full picnic lunch to eat at your leisure (unless you go fishing with a guide). In that case he cooks you a shoreside lunch deep in the woods over an open wood fire (I enjoyed that as much as the fishing). As to the fishing, on each occasion I caught enough good sized Smallmouth bass to wear my arms out. (First day 60 of all sizes, second day 35 focused on larger fish and got them too (at my request), third day he took me to look for moose (didn't see any) and other beautiful lake areas and wildlife (eagles, herons, loons) at my request. We still managed to get 25 to 30 larger Smallmouths (2 to 3lbs, a few over that). If you want to fish for Salmon you can, I am a Smallmouth kind of guy. You fish rain or shine. We had decent weather, some rain patches. All the Smallmouth is catch and release. I fished from a kayak one day and caught good Smallmouth. There is a stream that is the Canadian border you can wade and fish. The Lodge is about 100 yards from the Canadian border. Any of the guides they provide will be good ones who have been with them for years. The guide costs are very reasonable. I have used guides in a number of places, and dollar for dollar have got the most money's worth here. I flat out enjoy this place and will be coming back until they throw dirt in my face. It is rustic, but clean and comfortable. The cost, to my mind is very reasonable and the value you get is outstanding. I read a negative review (one single review) complaining about hidden costs. That is BS. Everything is laid out on the website. If you want extras (fishing licenses, bait, etc) you pay for them and nothing is inflated, please completely disregard that review. Read the website, talk to Sandy or Patrick and come take a trip to remember, and you...

First and foremost the one poor review of this magical place should be ignored. This is a first class operation where the owners are hand's on and simply can't do enough to provide a memorable experience. ||||You will spend your time here wishing you extended your stay. You'll sleep peacefully in spotless cabins, spend your day fishing a pristine lake in boats custom built for use in this area with guides who know everything there is to know about the perfect spot to catch a boatload. You can unwind at the shore lunch of fresh fish plus whatever the kitchen sent along to enjoy. It's simply one perfect day after another here. ||||The kitchen staff prepares wonderful food in heroic portions. Breads, pies and cakes are fresh baked each day. There is Prime Rib as good as you can find anywhere and a 2.5 pound Lobster (when available) fresh from the sea awaits you along with the folks at Weight Watchers when you return home. ||||Sure, you can take a nature hike, drive to the sea, cross into Canada but I suggest to simply let Wheaton's envelop you in comfort and serenity. ||||The staff, many of whom have been here for decades, are genuinely interested in you and making sure your stay in exactly as you'd hoped for. Help you plan a day? Answer a question about the area's history, make sure some of the Rib Eye finds it's way to your omelet? That's the Wheaton way. ||||Your comfortable Cabin will be thoroughly cleaned by the time you finish your trencherman's breakfast. Then, when you're ready, step into a Grand Lakes Canoe and let the expert guide take you to every honey hole on the beautiful lake for Small Mouth Bass, Perch and whatever else is lurking below you. You'll be using their top drawer equipment and getting some great coaching on how land the monster. Your arm will be feelin' it by lunch. ||||Wheaton can't be beatin' for a civilized, stress free, relaxed, yet active wilderness experience....