AJ's Lodge & Oven

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  "organizationId": "58f57453-092b-4bdb-9b44-d1da6ab24626",
  "name": "AJ's Lodge & Oven",
  "slug": "ajs-lodge-oven",
  "type": "fishing_lodge",
  "status": "discovered",
  "profileTier": "standard",
  "descriptionShort": "Year-round freshwater lodge on Lake Gogebic in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, specializing in walleye, smallmouth bass, northern pike, and perch. Spring walleye opener and summer fishing are the signature draws, with ice fishing and snowmobiling in winter.",
  "descriptionLong": "AJ's Lodge & Oven sits on Lake Gogebic, a 22,000-acre freshwater lake in Bergland, Michigan, near the Ottawa National Forest and Porcupine Mountains. The lodge operates year-round with newly renovated rooms, kitchenettes, family units, a lakefront restaurant with wood-fired pizzas, and an on-site tackle shop. The May walleye opener kicks off the prime season, with summer offering consistent action for walleye, smallmouth bass, northern pike, and jumbo perch; fall provides scenic fishing with strong walleye and perch action. Winter pivots to ice fishing on the frozen lake and regional snowmobiling. All-inclusive packages bundle guided fishing, lodging, meals, and tackle; the lodge also accommodates hunting trips and welcomes families and groups.",
  "whyBook": "Year-round Michigan walleye lodge on Lake Gogebic with spring opener, summer perch, and winter ice fishing.",
  "fishinessRating": 4,
  "addressLine1": "35131 State Hwy M-28",
  "addressLine2": null,
  "city": "Bergland",
  "stateProvince": "MI",
  "postalCode": "49910",
  "countryCode": "US",
  "timezone": "UTC-4",
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  "priceRange": null,
  "rating": "4.2",
  "reviewCount": 153,
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  "hasGuides": false,
  "hasHunting": true,
  "hasBoats": false,
  "isLuxury": false,
  "guidedTrips": true,
  "allInclusive": true,
  "hasAircraft": false,
  "seasons": null,
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  "fishingSeasonsNarrative": "AJ's Lodge & Oven operates as a year-round destination, with fishing opportunities available throughout the open water season on Lake Gogebic. While the lodge itself is open year-round, the primary fishing focus is on the warmer months when the lake is accessible for various angling pursuits. The \"Walleye Opener\" in May signifies the start of the prime fishing season, targeting the lake's namesake species. As summer progresses, anglers can expect consistent action for walleye, smallmouth bass, northern pike, and jumbo perch. The \"Lake Gogebic Fishing – August 5th\" report highlights fantastic perch action, indicating strong fishing throughout the summer months. Fall offers a scenic backdrop for fishing, with the changing colors enhancing the experience, though specific fishing reports for this season are less detailed. Ice fishing is also a significant draw during the winter months, with the lodge providing access to the frozen lake for those seeking a different kind of angling adventure.",
  "whatsIncluded": [
    "Newly renovated units and suites",
    "Lakefront restaurant",
    "Wood fired pizzas, gourmet style sandwiches, salads and more",
    "Great access to the trails and Lake Gogebic",
    "Plenty of trailer parking",
    "Standard rooms, kitchenettes and family units",
    "Daily, weekly or monthly rentals",
    "100% smoke free",
    "Satellite TV, WI/FI, microwaves/coffee makers/refrigerators",
    "Pet friendly units available",
    "Close proximity to rental & repair shops",
    "Gas station within 1 mile",
    "Pontoon, Jet Ski, Fishing Boat and Kayak Rentals",
    "Lodge accommodation",
    "Stands baited each day",
    "Guaranteed active bait",
    "Ground blinds",
    "Recovery of bears",
    "Freezer service/processing available",
    "Attentive and dedicated service"
  ],
  "whatsNotIncluded": [
    "Flights to Dillingham",
    "Alaska fishing license",
    "Gratuities",
    "Alcohol"
  ],
  "checkIn": null,
  "checkOut": null,
  "minStay": null,
  "logisticsNotes": "From Lower Michigan: Mackinaw Bridge 4 ½ to 5 hours. At Engadine take 117 North until you reach M-28 junction. Turn left on M-28 going west, stay on M-28 until you reach the WL one mile west of Bergland on the left side of the road. From Minnesota: if coming from Duluth (2 ½ – 3 hours): Stay on US 2 East to Wakefield. There is one light in Wakefield and turn left (east) at that light onto M-28. Go 19 miles and we are ont the right side of the road. From Wisconsin: on 51/39, follow 51 just past Minocqua and turn at highway M (Toward Boulder Junction). Follow Highway M to Highway B. Highway B turns into 64 once you cross from Wisconsin into Michigan. Follow Highway 64 through Marenisco to US 2. Continue 64 North along the West shore of Lake Gogebic and you will come to M28. Turn right and AJ’s Walleye Lodge is 3.5 miles on the right.",
  "providesGear": true,
  "gearNotes": "Pontoon, Jet Ski, Fishing Boat and Kayak Rentals available.",
  "cancellationPolicy": "Large hotels and motels often overbook to cover cancellations. Because we’re a small lodge, we do not have the ability to do this. Therefore, we must have a Policy to ensure you that your room(s) will be ready upon your check-in, and to assure us that your room is sold as well. We appreciate your consideration with our policies.",
  "termsConditions": null,
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  "bookingUrl": "https://us2.cloudbeds.com/en/reservation/M6PCRR?currency=usd",
  "bookingType": "book_direct",
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  "socialFacebook": "https://www.facebook.com/ajslodgeandoven",
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  "fishingTypes": [
    "fly fishing",
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    "jigging",
    "live bait",
    "spin fishing",
    "trolling",
    "topwater"
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      "diningDescription": "AJ's Oven featuring wood fired pizzas, gourmet style sandwiches, salads and more! Great access to the trails and Lake Gogebic. Plenty of Trailer Parking. Standard rooms, Kitchenettes and Family Units. Daily, weekly or monthly rentals. 100% smoke free. Satellite TV, WI/FI, microwaves/coffee makers/refrigerators. Pet friendly units available for well-behaved pets! Close proximity to rental & repair shops. Gas station within 1 mile. Pontoon, Jet Ski, Fishing Boat and Kayak Rentals.",
      "nonFishingActivities": [
        "hiking",
        "biking",
        "atving",
        "snowmobiling",
        "touring waterfalls",
        "skiing",
        "motorcycling",
        "wildlife viewing",
        "kayaking",
        "mountain biking",
        "mineral collecting",
        "tennis",
        "camping",
        "boating",
        "sightseeing",
        "hunting",
        "cross-country skiing",
        "snowshoeing",
        "fall color tours",
        "motorcycle touring",
        "fishing tournaments",
        "cornhole tournaments",
        "poker runs",
        "Oktoberfest celebrations"
      ]
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      "seasonalityNotes": "Present in Lake Gogebic, but no specific seasonal information is provided.",
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      "species": {
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        "commonName": "Bullhead Catfish",
        "scientificName": "Ameiurus nebulosus",
        "slug": "bullhead-catfish",
        "category": "freshwater",
        "description": "The bullhead catfish presents as a quintessential bottom forager, its body a mottled tapestry of olive-brown, yellow, and charcoal, often overlaid with a distinctive clouded pattern and a yellowish cream underbelly. Rounded and stout, a prime specimen will stretch to a solid 14 inches and a couple pounds, with a broad, flat head and a notably square, almost unforked tail fin setting it visually apart from its channel cat kin. Eight wiry, prominent barbels – four curling from beneath the chin – act as constant, twitching sensors. Anglers will immediately recognize the pectoral and dorsal spines: a sharp, bony defense mechanism that requires careful handling to avoid a painful, though non-venomous, poke.\n\nYou’ll find bullheads almost anywhere slow, warm water gathers across the eastern and central United States and southern Canada, from weedy farm ponds and silt-bottomed lakes to the sluggish backwaters of creeks and rivers. They are the ultimate resilient tenant, thriving in waters with lower oxygen levels that would stress other sportfish, making them a ubiquitous presence. While not typically the headline act for a destination fishery, they are the reliable, after-dark staple of countless local ponds and the weedy margins of systems like the Upper Mississippi River watershed.\n\nBullheads are targeted not for epic battles but for the pure, nostalgic essence of fishing itself. They provide constant, often enthusiastic bites, making them the perfect quarry for teaching a child to feel a tap-tap-tug on the line. There’s a humble satisfaction in a brimming stringer, as they are, when taken from clean waters, superb eating – their firm, sweet, flaky white flesh a well-kept secret. Pursuing them is a quieter, more contemplative endeavor, a return to the fundamental joys of a rod, a worm, and the certainty of action under a summer night's sky.",
        "aliases": [
          "Brown Bullhead",
          "Horned Pout",
          "Mud Cat",
          "Common Bullhead",
          "Bullpout",
          "River Snapper"
        ],
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      ],
      "seasonalityNotes": "The \"Walleye Opener\" in May marks the beginning of the prime season for this species. They are a primary target throughout the summer and fall, with specific tournaments dedicated to them. Early spring fishing for spawning walleye along rocky shorelines is also noted.",
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      "species": {
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        "commonName": "Walleye",
        "scientificName": "Sander vitreus",
        "slug": "walleye",
        "category": "freshwater",
        "description": "The walleye is a sleek, torpedo-shaped predator cloaked in olive and gold, its flanks often dappled with brassy flecks that catch the light like submerged treasure. Its most arresting feature is the large, opalescent eye—a milky, marble-like orb that gives the species its name and hints at its low-light prowess. Typically ranging from 14 to 22 inches, with trophy specimens pushing beyond 30 inches and 10 pounds, it sports a spiny dorsal fin and a mouth full of needle-sharp teeth, making it unmistakable in hand. The body tapers to a forked tail, built for sudden, efficient bursts of speed.\n\nFound across the cool, clear waters of North America, from the Great Lakes basin through the Canadian Shield and down into the river systems of the Midwest and Northeast, walleye thrive in structured habitats. Anglers seek them over rocky reefs, submerged points, and deep weed edges in lakes, or in the current seams and eddies of large rivers. Prime fisheries include Lake Erie, known for its prolific numbers, and the legendary waters of Lake of the Woods in Ontario, where dusk and dawn patrols often yield the biggest fish.\n\nWalleye are pursued for their cunning nature and the subtle, technical challenge they present—a finesse game of light lines, live bait rigs, and precise jigging that rewards patience over brute force. Their fight is a deep, dogged struggle rather than an acrobatic spectacle, with trophy fish peeling drag in a determined, head-shaking run. Beyond the sport, they are a culinary prize, with flaky, mild white flesh that’s a staple of shore lunches across the North. Booking a trip for walleye is about embracing the rhythm of low-light hours and the satisfaction of outsmarting a ghost in the gloom.",
        "aliases": [
          "walleyes",
          "pickerel",
          "yellow pike",
          "walleyed pike",
          "dory",
          "marble eye",
          "glass eye",
          "Susquehanna salmon"
        ],
        "imageUrl": "https://media.meridiaoutdoors.com/media/species/walleye/main.webp",
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      "notes": null,
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      "seasonalityNotes": "Present in Lake Gogebic, but no specific seasonal information is provided.",
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        "commonName": "Whitefish",
        "scientificName": "Coregonus spp.",
        "slug": "whitefish",
        "category": "freshwater",
        "description": "A creature of refined austerity and understated strength, the whitefish presents a torpedo-shaped body built for endurance. Silvery flanks mirror the cold, deep waters it calls home, fading to a milky white underbelly and a darker, often olive-green back. It lacks the flamboyant colors of a trout, its beauty lying in its clean, functional lines. Most species are modest in size, with 2 to 4 pounds being common, though lake-dwelling giants can push over 10 pounds. In hand, its soft, toothless mouth and the distinct adipose fin – that small, fleshy fin between the dorsal and tail – are the angler's surest identifiers.\n\nYou'll find whitefish in the clear, cold embrace of deep, oligotrophic lakes and large, slow-moving rivers across the northern hemisphere, from the Great Lakes of North America to the Alpine lakes of Europe and the vast waters of Scandinavia and Russia. They are a fish of profound depth and structure, often schooling over hard-bottomed areas or along deep thermoclines. For the traveling angler, legendary fisheries include the Great Lakes for lake whitefish, where they are a cornerstone of both commercial and sport fisheries, and the pristine rivers flowing into Lake Superior for the river-running 'cisco' or 'tullibee' varieties.\n\nAnglers pursue whitefish not for a blistering, acrobatic fight, but for the nuanced challenge of a deep, dogged, and unrelenting resistance. Hooking one on light tackle feels like connecting to a submerged freight train – a steady, powerful throbbing that tests both gear and patience. They are a connoisseur's target, requiring finesse and precise presentation with small flies or jigs, often in deep, icy water. While their sporting quality is subtle, their trophy potential lies in their sheer size in certain waters and the technical skill required to catch them consistently. Culturally, they are a revered winter ice-fishing prize across the north, and their delicate, flaky, sweet flesh is considered a supreme table fish, often smoked to perfection.",
        "aliases": [
          "Lake Whitefish"
        ],
        "imageUrl": "https://media.meridiaoutdoors.com/media/species/whitefish/main.webp",
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      "seasonalityNotes": "Jumbo perch action is highlighted as fantastic in August, indicating strong fishing throughout the summer. They are also a sought-after species year-round, with specific fishing techniques recommended for them in late fall through winter and in weedbeds during warmer weather.",
      "isPrimary": false,
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      "species": {
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        "commonName": "Yellow Perch",
        "scientificName": "Perca flavescens",
        "slug": "yellow-perch",
        "category": "freshwater",
        "description": "The yellow perch is a quintessential panfish, instantly recognizable by its vibrant, tiger-striped flanks. Its body is a brilliant yellow-gold, overlaid with six to eight bold, vertical olive-green bands, creating a pattern that seems painted on. The fins are often tinged with orange, especially the pelvic and anal fins, adding a flash of color. It possesses a classic perch profile: a deep, laterally compressed body with a slightly humped back and a distinct, spiny dorsal fin that demands respect when handling. While typically caught in the 6- to 12-inch range and weighing under a pound, trophy specimens can push 15 inches and over 2 pounds, particularly in fertile northern lakes, where they become thick-shouldered and golden-hued brutes. In hand, the rough, ctenoid scales and that sharp dorsal are unmistakable hallmarks.\n\nYellow perch are denizens of cool, clear waters across North America, from the Great Lakes basin and Canadian Shield lakes down through the northeastern United States and into the Midwest. They thrive in weedy bays, shallow flats, and deeper offshore structures of lakes and slow-moving rivers, often schooling by size in water temperatures between 65° and 75°F. For anglers planning a trip, iconic fisheries include Lake Erie—renowned for its jumbo perch—as well as Lake Winnipeg and the myriad glacial lakes of Minnesota and Ontario. They’re a year-round target, with ice fishing being a cultural staple in northern regions, where holes drilled over weed beds or drop-offs yield steady action.\n\nAnglers target yellow perch not for a blistering fight—they’re more of a stubborn, head-shaking scrapper than a long-runner—but for their sheer reliability and table fare. They’re the perfect gateway species, offering non-stop action for families and seasoned anglers alike, especially through the ice or on light tackle where every tap is felt. The real prize is their eating quality: the flaky, sweet, white flesh is considered among the finest of freshwater fish, often dubbed 'poor man’s walleye.' Trophy hunters seek out jumbos for bragging rights, while the cultural significance runs deep in communities where a winter perch fry is a cherished tradition. Booking a trip for them means guaranteed fun and a delicious reward, making them a cornerstone of North American angling.",
        "aliases": [
          "perch",
          "ring perch",
          "coontail",
          "striped perch",
          "jack perch",
          "American perch",
          "lake perch",
          "neds"
        ],
        "imageUrl": "https://media.meridiaoutdoors.com/media/species/yellow-perch/main.webp",
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      ],
      "seasonalityNotes": "Available throughout the warmer months, northern pike are a target species in early spring and are found in weedbeds during warmer weather. They are also mentioned as a target species in late summer/early fall.",
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        "commonName": "Northern Pike",
        "scientificName": "Esox lucius",
        "slug": "northern-pike",
        "category": "freshwater",
        "description": "The northern pike presents an ancient, predatory silhouette, built for sudden acceleration. Its body is elongated and torpedo-shaped, with a long, flat head and a bill-like snout full of needle-sharp teeth. The dorsal fin is set far back, near the tail, which is built for a powerful, sideways slash. Coloration is typically olive-green or grayish, overlaid with rows of light, bean-shaped spots, fading to a creamy white or yellow underbelly. While 24 to给30 inches is a common catch, true ‘gators’ can exceed 40 inches and push past 20 pounds, their size betrayed by a sheer, muscular bulk and a head that seems broad enough to swallow a football.",
        "aliases": [
          "pike",
          "northerns",
          "jackfish",
          "water wolf",
          "Jack",
          "Gator",
          "Snake",
          "Water Wolf",
          "Snot Rocket",
          "Hammer Handle",
          "Esox",
          "Northern"
        ],
        "imageUrl": "https://media.meridiaoutdoors.com/media/species/northern-pike/main.webp",
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      "seasonalityNotes": "Present throughout the warmer months, smallmouth bass concentrate on shoreline structure in early spring and are a focal point in weedbeds during warmer weather. They are also mentioned as a target species in late summer/early fall.",
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      "species": {
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        "commonName": "Smallmouth Bass",
        "scientificName": "Micropterus dolomieu",
        "slug": "smallmouth-bass",
        "category": "freshwater",
        "description": "The smallmouth bass presents a predator's silhouette refined for current and ambush. With a torpedo-shaped body more streamlined than its largemouth cousin, it typically reaches 12 to 18 inches in many fisheries, though true trophies push beyond 20 inches and 6 pounds. Its defining feature is the jawline that ends at or before the eye's center, beneath a distinct bronze-to-olive green flank. This background is often marbled with darker vertical bands and, most importantly, fades to a brilliant white or gold belly. In clear water, the reddish hue in its eyes is unmistakable. In hand, the rough, sandpaper-like patch on its tongue is a surefire identifier for the discerning angler.\n\nFind the smallmouth bass in the clear, cool, and rocky waters it craves. Its heartland is the Laurentian Great Lakes, where world-class fisheries in Lake Erie's western basin or the fabled waters of Lake St. Clair produce staggering numbers of 4- to 5-pound fish. It thrives equally in the flowing, oxygen-rich rivers of the Ozarks, the Tennessee River system, and across the Canadian Shield. From the rocky points of northern natural lakes to the tailraces below Southern dams, the smallmouth is a creature of structure—gravel, boulders, and ledges—where it can hold in current and survey its domain. A trip is best planned where water clarity is measured in feet, not inches.\n\nAnglers target the smallmouth for its pugnacious, acrobatic fight, often described as 'pound-for-pound' the fiercest freshwater gamefish. It strikes with a decisive thump and turns its broad side against the rod, delivering dogged, head-shaking runs often punctuated by explosive leaps. This sporting quality, combined with its wariness in clear water, demands precise presentations and fine tackle. While edible, its true value lies in the chase; catching a 5-pound smallmouth is a rite of passage, a trophy representing perfect synergy of angler skill and pristine habitat. It's a species that doesn't just test your gear—it tests your mettle.",
        "aliases": [
          "smallmouth",
          "smallies",
          "bronzeback",
          "SMB",
          "Bronzeback",
          "Smallie",
          "Brown Bass",
          "Black Bass (in some regions)",
          "River Bass",
          "Bronze Bass",
          "Jumper"
        ],
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        "pipelineId": 11,
        "createdAt": "2026-03-22T21:15:26.007Z",
        "updatedAt": "2026-05-09T22:29:44.291Z"
      }
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