The sturgeon is one of the most prolific species of fish in Manitoba, so it’s not surprising that the largest fish ever caught around here was a Sturgeon.

This magnificent creature, caught by Alex Waddell in 1903, tipped the scales at 406 lbs and was 15′ 2” long.

It’s unlikely we’ll ever see another fish as big as this 155-year old beauty come out of the water, but there are still plenty of sizable specimens out there waiting for you.

Here’s where to go for some of the best fishing in Manitoba.

1. Rocky Lake

Rocky Lake’s a great destination for the whole family, with a wide range of resorts and cabins dotted along its shores, many of them offering private docks.

The Lake falls within the Rocky Lake Provincial Park, an area of outstanding natural beauty and recreation activities. Most of the things to do here center on the lake.

It’s one of the safest places to enjoy boating since there are few underwater hazards here.

Some of the many species you can catch from the shores or onboard a boat include:

• Walleye
• Northern Pike
• Smallmouth Bass
• Whitefish
• Tullibee

Over 750 Master Angler fish have come from these waters, including record-breaking Walleye, Tullibee, and Northern Pike.

2. Lac du Bonnet

Lac du Bonnet’s is a small town on the banks of the Winnipeg River, 71 miles northeast of Winnipeg, Manitoba. It’s famous for its welcoming vibe and friendly locals.

It’s also one of the largest fishing hubs in Manitoba. Some of the species you might catch here include Perch, Walleye, Bass, Sturgeon, Northern Pike, and Channel Cat.

These factors make Lac du Bonnet one of the best places to learn the ropes if you’re new to fishing.

While summer’s the peak boat-based fishing season, Lac du Bonnet’s also one of the best fishing places in Manitoba if you want to try your hand at ice fishing.

If you’ve got a competitive streak, there are always fishing derbies on the go in this part of the world. Every March, the frozen river’s dotted with 1,000 holes for the main derby of the year.

The three most rewarding places to sink a line around town include the town dock, the Winnipeg River Bridge, and the Wildlife Association Trout Ponds.

All these spots are suitable for both summer and winter fishing.

3. Gunisao Lake

Lake Gunisao is 16 miles long, with 75 sheltered islands within its bounds for safe fishing in all kinds of weather.

In this part of Manitoba, fishing’s mainly centred on Walleye, and last year, 67% of the trophy Walleye in Manitoba came from these waters.

There’s only one lodge on the lake, and you’ll need to take an hour-long flight on a floatplane or charter flight from Winnipeg to get to this remote pine-forested location. The lodge has an airstrip, which adds extra convenient access.

Fishing at Gunisao Lake is astonishing, and anglers usually catch tens of fish every day, most of them trophy specimens over 29 inches. You fish with a quarter ounce jig below the boat.

A strict and careful catch-photograph-and-release policy on this lake is the reason behind these successful ventures. The lake’s small dimensions mean the fishing’s more concentrated than in Manitoba’s large water bodies.

4. Falcon Lake

As the home of the annual Masters’ Cup fishing derby, Falcon Lake offers outstanding opportunities to net Yellow Perch, Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike, Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, and Walleye.

Thanks to healthy and abundant populations of these fish, even inexperienced anglers can target large specimens in this lake. It’s a prime destination for profitable fishing, thanks to the thousands of tagged fish released in the lake.

Smallmouth bass frequent the main lake points, the rocky shorelines, and the areas in between the cottage docks. You can increase your chances of catching Falcon Bronze Backs by targeting the islands scattered around the lake.

Northern Pike prefers the western side of the lake, and there’s an elusive $5,000 tagged specimen lurking somewhere in those depths. The best time to target pike is from May to September, December, and March.

During the winter, you can pack away your boat and head out onto the frozen lake for excellent ice-fishing opportunities.

Falcon Lake’s located inside Whiteshell Provincial Park, so there’s plenty to do while you’re there too. You can hike to the ‘Top of the World’, visit beautiful waterfalls, spend time on the beach, or visit the ancient rock formations at Bannock Point.

You’ll find Falcon Lake on the southeast side of Manitoba, close to Ontario and about 95 miles east of Winnipeg.

5. Whitemud River

Whitemud River’s a fantastic destination for recreational fishing and allows easy access to Lake Manitoba.

The main species here are Freshwater Drum, Common Carp, Walleye, and Brown Bullhead. You might not be able to eat everything you catch, but you’ll have a whale of a time reeling them in.

With its silt bottom, five to fourteen-foot depths, and secluded gravel shoals, the Whitemud River’s a top destination for early season fishing after the Walleye spawning season. These hungry fish will snatch up anything in their path as they head inland for the summer.

The cloud-like patterns formed where the river spills into the lake are excellent ambush points where large schools of fish gather to feed.

Shore fishing won’t do if you want to make the most of this varied fishing destination; you need a boat to troll slowly up and down the waterways and jig for the species you want.

You’ll find a few accommodation options as well as campsites close to these prime fishing spots and a fully-stocked fishing store close by.

6. Kississing Lake

Kississing Lake’s home to Master Angler quality Walleye, Northern Pike, and Lake Trout thanks to strict regulations governing which fish you can take out of the water. You can’t keep Northern Pike over 30 inches long or Lake Trout above 26 inches in length.

According to provincial regulations, you’ll need to take the barbs off your hooks before you get started too. You can easily snip them off with a pair of pliers.

The best time to fish these waters is from May to October, and the prime Northern Pike fishing season is in August. These huge aggressive fish prefer to hang out in low-lying weed beds, moving to deeper waters in late spring.

You can arrange a fly-out to Crow Lake from Kississing Lake, where you’ll find the largest specimens lurking.

If Walleye’s your favourite fish, you’ll find they’re on the bite all summer long, although the early spring spawning season yields even better results.

Anglers bag Lake Trout every month of the year at Kississing Lake. The trick is to adjust your fishing techniques according to the season. They prefer shallow waters in the spring and respond well to spinning at this time.

As the water warms up, they head for the cooler depths of 60 to 90 ft holes. At these times, you’ll do well with a two- or three-ounce jig dropped straight into their lairs.

This is a fly-in destination accessible from Winnipeg Airport.

7. Lake Winnipeg

It’s impossible to discuss fishing in Manitoba without mentioning Lake Winnipeg, one of the world’s largest lakes.

This vast expanse of water stretches for 271 miles from north to south and is 70 miles wide in places. That’s 9,120 square miles of fishing opportunities, about 4% of Manitoba’s surface area.

The shallower part of the lake is the best place to enjoy Lake Winnipeg ice fishing and the perfect place to target the ”greenback” walleyes that the area’s famous for.

During the winter and summer, commercial fishermen dominate the deep waters, leaving little opportunity for open-water sportfishing thanks to huge waves and turbulence.

While the summer months attract huge tourists from nearby Winnipeg, and you’ll find plenty of places to stay, the wintertime presents a totally different scenario. Temperatures drop well below thirty, and all the nearby lodges close.

At this time of the year, your best option for Lake Winnipeg fishing is with one of the die-hard charter operators in the area.

Find Out More About Fishing in Manitoba

You need to get your hands on a license for all types of fishing in Manitoba.

The best time to visit this prime fishing destination is during the fall, and prime time for most sportfish falls between September and October.

Steady action and large specimens are the trademarks of fishing in Manitoba. If you’re passionate about fishing and other outdoor diversions, you can find out more on our blog or stock up on everything you need right here.

Westshore Marine specializes in all things outdoors including the great sport of fishing. If you are looking for a great deal on a used outboard motor for sale to add to your boat or even a new boat package, Westshore marine has a great selection!