18518-AikensLake-2020-US

Aikens Lake Wilderness Lodge strives to ensure that each visitor takes in an unforgettable voyage. Our lauded “Aikens Experience” encompasses a long list of superior amenities, equipment and services. These are critical aspects of what we deliver to our guests day-in and day-out. However, they are built around our most prized asset and resource, the majestic and bountiful waters of Aikens Lake. As such, we’ve taken every stride possible to protect, nurture and ensure the growth of our world-class freshwater haven. In 2019, we embarked on an exciting venture with the department of Fisheries and the Province of Manitoba. We were curious to see how the growth in popularity of our lodge and the efforts of our past 15 years as a catch and release destination have affected our fishery. Enter fisheries biologist Mr. Derek Kroeker. With a healthy working partnership already in place from previous efforts, the friendly scientist flew to Aikens to give our guides a seminar on information collection for us to formulate a data set which would give us insight into the growth-rate of our fish and better inform us on the best stewardship plan for our lake. The practice was simple, and the implementation was seamless. The study called for a few hundred specimens to be recorded and have specific parts of the fish submitted for study. Fortunately, over the course of a few weeks, our guides had recorded and sampled the quota quickly and efficiently by dedicating one team member to record and capture the data during our shore lunches. The process involved recording the length of the fish, the location where is was caught and the removal the fish’s otolith bones. These small bones reside in the fish’s skull and once removed, they can be used to age a fish, much like the growth rings on a tree. At that point, with numerous different fish samples, a growth rate for the lake can be established. Thus, we will be able to deduce that a fish measuring x is roughly aged y . Such information is extremely beneficial in establishing proper slot sizes and sustainable harvest framework to maximize breeding stock and safeguarding our prized fishery for generations to come. We are proud to protect and nurture our plentiful lake. We can’t wait for you to return (or arrive) and enjoy the spoils that Aikens Lake has to offer. EXERCISE IN STEWARDSHIP You won’t leave Aikens hungry, we promise. The word gourmet gets bandied about quite liberally. Add a sprig of rosemary to a dish and some folks call you Emeril Lagassé. But the proof is definitely in the pudding. Our kitchen roasts, bakes, fries, grills and smokes hand-crafted delicacies that are sure to please the most traveled and studied of palates. From prime grade cuts to delectable treats, your taste buds will thank you for the gastronomic escapade upon which you’ve embarked, you fly-in foodie. We are pleased to announce that our dish-dealing dream team will be back for another summer in 2020! Enzo Costantini has been our head chef for the past two seasons. He and baker Michelle Romanuk have been plating outstanding offerings for our patrons. Their creative and dynamic approach to cooking and baking paired with their innovative passion for food churns out mouth-watering regalement. Never one to shy from a challenge, Enzo takes pride in crafting nutritious and savory menus for those requiring any alternate diets. Whether it be sumptuous flavours instilled into home cooked favorites or modern twists on tried classics, Enzo will surely continue stunning our dining room’s habitué, night after night. Our guests will relish in Michelle’s decadent desserts, concocted from scratch with mastery and care. Pack a belt that has an extra notch, bring your appetite and remember, to quote Michelle: calories don’t count at Aikens Lake Wilderness Lodge! CHEF ENZO FURNISHES FEASTS OF FABULOUS FLY-IN FARE