People were drawn to northwestern Ontario in the late 1800's, because of fur trading or to prospect for gold.  Today, 80% of the gold mined in Canada is mined in this area.  The Hudson Bay Fur Trading Company had a store in Dinorwic, across the road from Max's General Store located at Hwy 17 and Hwy 72.  The train would drop passengers off in Dinorwic and they would walk up a trail called Turkey Trail (named because of turkey vultures) to Sandybeach Lake or at that time Big Sandy Lake.  They would then take a barge across the lake to Blackface Portage Trail and make their way north.  Pine Cliff Lodge is situated on property once owned by the manager of the Hudson Bay store.  In 1920, the property was used by the Highway Department during the building of the road to the town of Sioux Lookout.  You can still see impressions in the lawn where 20 horse stalls were located for the draft horses used in building the road.  Horse shoes, hoof trimming tools, baling wire for hay, and other items have been found recently and are currently hanging on the barn as a reminder of the properties history. 

Bud and Rhett Stewart bought the property in 1948 and started building the lodge and cabins.  They called their facility Big Sandy Camp.  The cabins were built small, because most of their guests were loggers and gold miners who lived there year round and needed a cabin that could be easily warmed during the cold winters.  We still get a few old timers stop by and tell us about spending a year or two in one of the cabins in the early fifties.  Most of the fishermen in those early days were from Chicago.  The property was again used by the Highway Department in 1967 when Hwy 72 was paved.  Bud and Rhett's ashes were spread on Eagle island.

John and Sandy Zintnicks bought the facility in 1980 and changed the name to Pine Cliff Camp.  The facility became very run-down during their ownership.

Richard and Kaylene Foley bought the facility in 1994 and changed the name to Pine Cliff Lodge.  Their goal was to update the facility to make it "lady friendly", comfortable and modern; while leaving the original structures, so guests still experience the feel of an old-time Canadian vacation in an old log cabin.  As soon as you pull into the entrance you notice the well maintained lawn and notice its owners have pride in ownership and want you to enjoy the beauty of the grounds and the wilderness experience at Sandybeach Lake.  Pine Cliff Lodge offers northern pike fishing and smallmouth bass fishing in Ontario, Canada.  In 1996, they implemented a "catch and release" policy on trophy-size fish to improve the fishing.  Be sure to view the Master Angler and Trophy Fish section of this website to see a list of the year's current big fish catches.  Our sections on Northern Pike Fishing and Smallmouth Bass Fishing will give you the tips and information you need to catch a trophy at our Ontario fishing lodge.  Pine Cliff Lodge is an Ontario fishing lodge at its finest and is currently one of the most successful fishing lodges in northwest Ontario as a result of the great fishing, quality boats, and the accommodations.