Lac Seul Floating Lodges

Four size classes across 11 boats:

65' and Super 65' — 6 to 8 guests. Three private bedrooms with bunks plus two hide-a-beds forward, sleeping up to 8. Exterior width 20 feet, interior width 16 feet. Regular 65' has one full bathroom (tub and shower). Super 65' has two bathrooms (one full bath) plus reading lights in the bunks.

75' and Super 75' — 10 to 12 guests. Five private bedrooms with bunks plus two hide-a-beds, sleeping up to 12. Standard 75' is 20 feet 4 inches wide (16 feet 4 inches inside). Super 75' is two feet wider and adds USB charging throughout, a flat-screen TV and Blu-ray player, a backup camera, reading lights, and 12 adult life jackets (versus 10 on the 65s).

Included on every houseboat:

• Hotel/motel innerspring mattresses; beds made with a fitted sheet and pillow; closet in each room
• Full-size four-burner stove with oven, double sink, two refrigerators, toaster, microwave, cookware, dinnerware, tea towels, oven mitts, filleting board, pantry, garbage bags
• Full bathtub/shower, toilet, sink and vanity (second bathroom has no tub/shower)
• Screened, carpeted porch with propane BBQ and at least a 25-block ice chest, plus clothesline
• 3,000W Honda generator, 2-foot outside walkways, upper deck
• 500 L (125 US gal) gasoline tank — you pay for what you use
• Complimentary 16-foot fishing boat (no motor), adult life jackets, boat cushions, marine radio, flare-gun kit, first-aid kit, two fire extinguishers, buoyant ring with 15 m of line
• Sirius satellite radio; TV/DVD (Blu-ray on Super 75')
• Spot X satellite texting (added 2022)
• Zoll AED listed on the 75' / Super 75' equipment list

75' boats include 8 upright lawn chairs and cookware for 14; 65' boats include 6 chairs and cookware for 12. Virtual interior tours are embedded on the houseboats page (YouTube).

Trips are sold as multi-day packages with Friday, Saturday, or Sunday departure dates, typically about six or seven days on the water. The public availability grid for 2026 showed late-August through early-October openings on those three departure days; 2027 dates were listed as coming soon when we checked.

• Boarding: 1 pm. Do not arrive early — the previous group’s boat is still being cleaned and checked.
• Checkout: 6 pm (per the official FAQ)
• Canadian-resident groups: additional dates may be available; the entire group must be Canadian residents as required by the Ministry of Natural Resources. Contact the office.

Recent seasons have advertised packages starting at $695 per person. Confirm the current package, boat size, and included nights on lacseulfloatinglodges.com or by email before you send a deposit.

Independent shuttle pilots can take the houseboat to a location you choose, secure it, and bring it back when you are ready — useful for first-timers and for anglers who want to be on a fishing spot by supper. Hunting (including moose season) is mentioned on the FAQ for guests who bring the right licences and warm clothing. Memorial cairns for Hudson Legion Branch 139 members who died in WWII sit along the east-end shoreline.

No prior houseboat experience is required. Staff give a tour and a how-things-work briefing at the Hudson waterfront office (check-in from 1 pm). Most first-timers, according to owner Andrea, hire a shuttle pilot rather than driving the houseboat themselves. If you self-operate, stay for the full orientation, learn the lake markers the Starratts still maintain on the east end, and use the marine radio and Spot X if you need help. Fill out the pre-arrival questionnaire the company sends so they can match boat size and extras to the group.

The official FAQ does not say whether a Pleasure Craft Operator Card is required to move the houseboat, and many guests hire a shuttle pilot instead of captaining. Ask Lac Seul Floating Lodges before you travel if you plan to operate the houseboat yourself. A valid Ontario fishing licence is required for anyone who fishes; licences can be bought at check-in (bring last year’s Outdoors Card if you have one) or online in advance. To get a Pleasure Craft Operator Card, go to our preferred partner, CanadaBoatSafety.com.

Every houseboat carries a 3,000-watt Honda generator for lights, kitchen appliances, and charging. Super 75' boats add USB charging outlets throughout. Cell coverage on the lake is limited; the Spot X is for satellite texting, not a substitute for bringing spare power banks. Confirm what continuous loads (CPAP, large inverters) the generator can support.

Bring a week of food and drinks — two refrigerators and a large pantry are sized for that. Bring fishing rods, lures, and minnow buckets if you are angling; hunting gear and warm clothes if you come during moose season. Adult life jackets on board fit chests 35–50 inches and weights over 90 lb; bring properly sized jackets for children. Many guests also pack a sleeping bag and towel, cards or games, a GPS, insect repellent and mosquito coils, sunscreen, rain gear, a flashlight, binoculars, a camera, and a portable satellite phone if they want voice coverage beyond Spot X texting. Summer days often exceed 25°C (77°F); nights can drop to 5°C (41°F).

Every bed is made with a fitted sheet and a pillow. Complete linen packages can be rented and include 2 blankets, 1 flat sheet, 2 bath towels, 1 hand towel, and 2 face cloths. Many guests bring their own sleeping bag and towel instead. Tea towels and dish cloths are already on the boat.

Pets are not allowed aboard the houseboats. The FAQ is explicit: you may bring a pet across the Canada–U.S. border with the usual restrictions, but not onto these boats.

Confirm the current package price (recent advertising started at $695 per person). Extra items named by the operator:

• $1,000 minimum reservation deposit (65', Super 65', 75', Super 75')
• 3% handling fee on credit-card payments; cash, cheque, Visa, and Mastercard accepted
• Optional insurance with a $3,000 deductible (does not cover willful damage or neglect, or props / lower units on houseboats or fishing boats)
• Fuel from the 500 L houseboat tank — pay for what you use
• Motors for the complimentary 16-foot Alumarine (or bring your own short-shaft motor up to 35 hp)
• Upgrade fishing boats: 16' high-transom Alumarines with Honda 20 hp long-shaft motors (the site lists 2019 units and, as of 2024, newer Honda 20 hp long-shafts); 17'7" G3s with 60 hp HO Evinrude E-TEC and Lowrance depth finders (only two G3s)
• Ontario fishing licences if you did not buy them online
• Bait from Sioux Lookout, Dryden, or Fort Frances shops (order ahead)

Guests are responsible for damage to houseboats, fishing boats, and motors. Cancellations need 150 days’ notice for a full deposit refund.

Hudson is about 185 miles / 3.5 hours north of International Falls, Minnesota, via Fort Frances. The official routing is Highway 11 east to Highway 502 (Manitou Road), north to Highway 17, east to Highway 72, then west on Highway 664 into Hudson; after the liquor store, turn right to the waterfront office. A passport (or other document accepted by CBP) is required to return to the United States; Canada also requires proof of citizenship and photo ID. See the Canada Border Services Agency and U.S. Customs and Border Protection sites for current rules on alcohol, tobacco, hunting weapons, and children travelling. Pets may cross the border with restrictions but cannot board these houseboats.

• Complimentary 16' Alumarine fishing boat (no motor) with paddles, bailing bucket, measuring trough, and safety kit
• 2019 Honda 20 hp short-shaft motors for the included Alumarines
• 16' flat-floor high-transom Alumarines with Honda 20 hp long-shaft motors and swivel seats
• 17'7" G3 fishing boats with 60 hp HO Evinrude E-TEC, Lowrance depth finder, and cushioned swivel seats (two units)
• Optional houseboat shuttle pilots
• Optional linen packages
• Fishing licences sold at check-in

Bring your own canoes or kayaks if you want to paddle the back bays. The site does not list houseboat-based Sea-Doo rentals as a standard extra.

• Walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, perch, and catch-and-release muskie
• Shore lunch and fishing from the houseboat deck
• Canoeing and kayaking into Lac Seul’s back channels
• Wildlife (moose are a frequent photo subject on the official gallery)
• Swimming and beach days when the water is warm
• Sunrises and sunsets from the upper deck and screened porch
• Visiting WWII memorial cairns on the east end of the lake
• Hunting in season with the proper Ontario licences

Check-in is at the waterfront office and gift shop in Hudson. An older second number (807-737-4777) appeared on this site historically; the current official pages list only 807-582-3284.