A NEW YEAR AT PINE CLIFF LODGE
- Pine Cliff Lodge
- Dec 30, 2025
- 4 min read
A look back at 2025 — and what’s ahead for 2026
As we head into a new year, we’re grateful for another incredible season at Pine Cliff Lodge. From familiar faces to new memories on Big Sandy Lake, 2025 was one we won’t soon forget. Thank you for being part of it.
—The Zimmermans
Derek, Kara, Rye, Sully, Tex (and Berkley the dog)
Here’s a look back at the best of 2025 — from trophy fish and game-changing boat tech to guided trips and featured media coverage.
Jump to:
Jay Siemens Visits Pine Cliff Lodge
YouTube angling influencer Jay Siemens visited lodge to film a video showcasing his new boat and electronics. He caught a beautiful mixed-bag from his center-console boat (much like the boats guests enjoy at Pine Cliff). You'll love seeing his graph loaded with trophy fish!
Watch Jay break in his new boat and electronics at Pine Cliff Lodge!
Coming Soon: THE LINDNERS AT PINE CLIFF LODGE
We’re also excited to share that Angling Edge TV filmed an episode at Pine Cliff Lodge this season — and it airs this February! James Lindner offers great fishing tips - you don't want to miss it.
📆 MARK YOUR CALENDARS:
Feb 12 • 3:30–4:00 PM EST — Sportsman Channel (USA)
Feb 13 • 11:00–11:30 AM EST — Sportsman Channel Canada
Everyone hopes to catch a large number of big fish on their trips. James Lindner and Jason Aleshire experience just that in Sunset Country, where they get into huge lake trout and smallmouth bass.
🎣 The Biggest Upgrades of the 2025 Season
🚤 Spot-Lock + Fish Finder Upgrades
GPS Spot-Lock technology has revolutionized precision boat control and has quickly become a standard feature in modern fishing boats. With the ability to hold your position in wind and waves at the push of a button, it’s now hard to imagine fishing without it — especially while handling a fish or untangling a bait-caster (or managing youngsters in the boat).
Following the installation of new trolling motors this past spring, the feedback from guests was overwhelmingly positive — exactly as we anticipated.
Guests experienced:
Easier boat control in wind and current
More time fishing, less time repositioning
More efficient targeting of desired species
A smoother, more relaxed day on the water
By holding you in place automatically, Spot-Lock allows you to focus on what matters most: casting, catching, and enjoying the scenery around Big Sandy Lake.
🎣 Guided Fishing Trips — learn with expert support
Confidence, connection, and more fish
One of the most exciting additions to the 2025 season was the introduction of guided fishing trips utilizing LiveScope technology — and they quickly became one of the most talked-about improvements among guests. Our guide Cody took many guests on half-day excursions.
Guided trips gave anglers the opportunity to:
Learn Big Sandy Lake faster
Target Big Sandy lake trout and whitefish, which can be finicky to lure in
Target walleye and crappie on nearby lakes
Dial in techniques for different species
Fish alongside our lead guide Cody who knows the lake inside and out
Replicate what they learned with a guide throughout the rest of their week on the lake
Guided trips helped guests fish with more confidence, less guesswork, and better results.
Photos from 2025 guided trips 👇
Guided fishing trips will be available again in 2026 with limited availability. Reach out if you'd like to book a half-day with Cody!
🏆 Trophy Fish Highlights + PHOTO GALLERY
2025 delivered another incredible year of trophy fish across multiple species — from personal bests to once-in-a-lifetime catches. If your name made the list — congratulations! If not… there’s always next season 😉
And here's a teaser of photos from this past year. Click the button to view a lot more!
If your 2025 fish photos aren’t in the gallery yet — send them our way and we’ll add them.
🏡 Cabin & Lodge Refresh
Thoughtful updates, same Pine Cliff feel
While fishing is always the highlight, we also focused on making the lodge feel even more comfortable and inviting. Throughout the season and into the off-season, cabins and lodge buildings received a series of updates designed to protect the property and preserve the classic look and feel of Pine Cliff Lodge
Updates included:
Fresh exterior paint
New log handrails leading into cabins
Updated outdoor light fixtures
New porch furniture for relaxing mornings and easy evenings
These improvements were made with comfort, durability, and longevity in mind, so the lodge continues to feel welcoming, relaxed, and well cared for — just as guests have come to expect.
We’re excited to share these updates with you when you visit in 2026.
RESERVE YOUR SPOT for 2026
Prime weeks are filling up — we recommend contacting us soon to secure your preferred dates.
Whether you joined us last season or it’s been a few years since we last saw you, we’re so grateful to be part of your fishing memories — and we’d love to welcome you back in 2026!
— Derek & Kara
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