Sportfishing in Manitoba, Canada

Province/state: Manitoba

Country: Canada

About Sportfishing in Manitoba

‘The Land of 100,000 Lakes’ is simply a fishing paradise. Manitoba really DOES have100,000 lakes, including mammoth Lake Winnipeg (the 10th largest freshwater lake in the world), which is known as a hotspot for walleye fishing, but also hosts species as varied as northern pike, whitefish and sauger – 100 types of fish species to be exact. Ice fishing on Lake Winnipeg is especially popular. The most common type of fish is the walleye, also called pickerel. Whether it’s fly fishing, shoreline fishing, ice fishing, or trawling from a boat, Manitoba offers any type of fishing for almost any type of fishing aficionado.

Manitoba is a beautiful and varied province, with a rich history. Louis Riel, its founder, was a leader of the Metis people, who still have a strong presence in the province. Along with the Metis, Manitoba is also home to the Cree, Ojibwe, Oji-Cree, and Dakota peoples, with a smattering of Inuit peoples, mostly in Winnipeg. Along with its 100,000+ freshwater lakes, Manitoba also borders Hudson Bay, with a train line to Churchill, where visitors can (seasonally) enjoy polar bear and beluga viewing. People in Manitoba are also known for their general friendliness. With fifty provincial parks, and abundant wildlife, Manitoba is prime destination for sport fishers and lovers of the outdoors from all round the world. Even if you’re not able to get to the more remote destinations, Manitoba offers fishing opportunities in just about every lake and river in the province! You can even fish from inside Winnipeg! As long as you are on public land and have a fishing license, you can fish anywhere in the province.

What To Catch

With a 100 fish species, Manitoba has the third most diverse fish population in Canada. When fishing in Manitoba, you’ll find walleye, trout, white bass, yellow perch, Arctic char, and more, depending on what part of the province you’re fishing in. Please note that some species, like sturgeon, largemouth bass and muskellunge must be released immediately upon catching

Best Spots for Fishing in Manitoba

With over 100, 000 lakes and dozens of rivers, Manitoba offers . . . a lot! Roughly 16% of the province is covered with water! Many fishing spots are accessible from cities like Winnipeg, but, as one might expect, many of the best lakes and rivers for fishing are in the remote northern region of the province, where you’ll often be able to find trophy fish due not just to their remote location, but the cold, deep water in many lakes.

Popular Spots for Lake Fishing:

Many of the best lakes for fishing are, as you might expect are in the remote northern region of the province, where you’ll often be able to find trophy fish due not just to their remote location, but the cold, deep water in many lakes.

Drive-to Fishing Spots in Manitoba:

Fly Fishing Spots in Manitoba:

River Fishing in Manitoba:

Ice Fishing in Manitoba

Ice fishing is a very popular activity in Manitoba and the province boasts many fine ice fishing spots (a few of which are detailed below). Be aware that winters in Manitoba are cold, so bring appropriate gear, like ice shelters and huts to protect against harsh weather. You might need to bring your own ice augurs to drill through the ice, and special fishing rods and reels, designed to handle the challenges of ice fishing.

Resources for Fishing in Manitoba:

When To Go Fishing in Manitoba

Manitoba has two fishing seasons: regular fishing season and ice fishing season. Recreational fishing for anglers usually opens in May, although this depends on where you are in the province (generally, the Southern Divisions opens first, followed by the Northern regions). The exact date is announced. Ice fishing tends to last from mid-December until mid-March or April, depending on the thickness of the ice that year.

Always check with Manitoba fisheries for the latest updates before visiting: https://manitobafisheries.com

Manitoba Fishing Limits

Manitoba Fishing Licenses

Manitoba Regions for Sportfishing

Manitoba contains six geographically-distinct regions, from the accessible Eastern region, to the massive, remote northern region that ranges along Hudson Bay and Nunavut Territory, and covers almost half the province. Many of the tributaries that enter Hudson Bay, produce runs of sea-run brook trout.

North-Central Manitoba includes Thompson and Lynn Lake. The Northwest, which contains legendary fishing spots like The Pas and Flin Flon, produces multi-species angling that includes some of the most prolific pike and lake-trout waters on the planet. The Southern region contains the most diversity, with world-class walleyes, brown trout, smallmouth bass, panfish, and some of the best catfish fishing in North America.

Discover the Wild

Manitoba has over 50 provincial parks, scattered through every region. Most offer world-class angling to explore for yourself.Some parks are accessible by road, others will require arranging a flight with an outfitter or air-charter service.

Manitoba also offers unparalleled experiences to view wildlife. Churchill, is known as the ‘Polar Bear Capital of the World’, where you can join guided tours or tundra vehicles to (safely) observe the thousand or more polar bears who migrate to the area from July to November, waiting for Hudson Bay to freeze over. In the summer, Hudson Bay teems with thousands of beluga whales. Kayaking with belugas is a popular activity in Churchill. For bird-watchers, Manitoba is home to over 390 species, including the great grey owl and numerous migratory species. Riding Mountains National Park is home to herds of plains bison, which can be seen grazing in their natural habitat. Other species include the Red-Sided Garter Snakes, Beavers, black bears, wolves, moose and elk. Hunting is popular, and the province even offers opportunities for wolf and bison hunting, within specific and seasonal regulations.