The Best Fishing Spots in Manitoba
Manitoba offers excellent freshwater fishing across thousands of lakes and rivers, from the southern prairies and Lake Winnipeg to the remote northern wilderness. Anglers commonly target trophy walleye, powerful northern pike, deep-water lake trout, native brook trout and stocked rainbow trout, along with abundant yellow perch, smallmouth bass and largemouth bass. Other notable species include lake whitefish and seasonal burbot. Fishing methods range from shore and boat casting to trolling, jigging, fly fishing and winter ice fishing, so anglers can enjoy both calm river wading and adventurous northern lake trips. Manitoba’s variety of waters and strong populations make it a top destination for recreational anglers seeking diverse species and memorable catches.
Top Cities For Fishing
River Fishing
Assiniboine River
Nelson River
Red River
Saskatchewan River
Lake Fishing
Lake Winnipeg
Top Freshwater Fishing Spots
Assiniboine River
Urban-access friendly through Brandon and Winnipeg , the Assiniboine River provides steady walleye, channel catfish, and goldeye; fish riffle pools and bridge holes from shore, or run small boats to probe deeper bends.
Athapapuskow Lake
Clear, deep waters near Flin Flon and Snow Lake hold trophy lake trout alongside walleye, northern pike, and burbot; jig steep breaks and troll mid-lake structure, with good shore access at lodges and ramps.
Caddy Lake
Known for black crappie, smallmouth bass, and northern pike, Caddy Lake’s bays and tunnel-connected waters fish well from shore and small boats; explore connections toward South Cross Lake and North Cross Lake for panfish schools.
Cedar Lake
A productive northern lake near Grand Rapids for walleye, northern pike, and perch; current areas at river mouths and island-studded basins fish well from boats, while sheltered shorelines offer casting opportunities and solid winter ice fishing.
Churchill River
A northern classic with rugged rapids and pools producing walleye, powerful northern pike, and lake trout; access out of Leaf Rapids and Churchill areas, focusing on eddies, inlets, and island points by boat with some shore options.
Clearwater Lake
Crystal-clear and cold near The Pas , Clearwater Lake produces quality lake trout along drop-offs and shoals, plus whitefish and burbot; troll deep in summer, jig in spring, with excellent ice fishing once safe.
Dauphin Lake
Shallow and fertile, Dauphin Lake offers prolific walleye and perch, with spring and fall winds concentrating fish along points and beaches; access near Dauphin and Stoney Point , and reliable winter ice fishing over expansive flats.
Falcon Lake
Popular and accessible, Falcon Lake features strong smallmouth bass, walleye, and northern pike fishing around reefs and weedlines; launch near Falcon Lake townsite and work rocky shorelines, with good ice fishing in protected bays.
Lake Manitoba
A vast prairie lake noted for walleye, northern pike, and perch, with easy access at Delta Beach , Lundar Beach , and St. Laurent ; spring and fall trolling shines, while winter brings reliable ice fishing across sheltered bays.
Lake St. Martin
Connected to Lake Manitoba , Lake St. Martin offers strong walleye and northern pike around channels and marshy bays; spring inflows and fall bait migrations concentrate fish, with options for shoreline casting and small-boat trolling.
Lake Winnipeg
One of North America’s premier walleye fisheries with giant “greenbacks,” Lake Winnipeg also yields northern pike, perch, and whitefish; anglers launch near Gimli , Hecla Island , and Winnipeg Beach for open-water trolling and expansive winter ice fishing flats.
Nelson River
Connecting Lake Winnipeg to Hudson Bay, the Nelson River offers big-water current fishing for walleye, northern pike, and occasional sturgeon; anglers target tailraces, channel edges, and bays near Northern Manitoba communities.
Netley Creek
A productive tributary near the south basin of Lake Winnipeg , Netley Creek offers spring and fall runs of walleye and pike, plus summer catfish; shore access at bridges and marinas complements small-boat exploration of bends and cuts.
Oak Lake
A southwest Manitoba favorite near Virden , Oak Lake provides consistent walleye, pike, and panfish such as perch and black crappie; weed edges and points produce from boats, while piers and beaches offer convenient shore access and winter ice fishing.
Paint Lake
A scenic reservoir south of Thompson known for consistent walleye, aggressive northern pike, and occasional lake trout; fish flooded timber and island points by boat, and target narrows and docks for accessible shore action.
Red River
Famed for trophy channel catfish and consistent walleye and sauger action, the Red River flows through Winnipeg and north to Lake Winnipeg , offering productive shore spots, current seams, and boat drifts spring through fall, plus excellent ice fishing in winter.
Saskatchewan River
Flowing through The Pas and into Cedar Lake, the Saskatchewan River features strong walleye, northern pike, and burbot in current seams and eddies, with shore casting below bridges and boat drifts around confluences and bends.
Shoal Lake
Bordering Manitoba and Ontario west of Kenora , Shoal Lake features clear-water smallmouth bass, walleye, and northern pike; work rocky shorelines, reefs, and cabbage beds by boat, with limited but worthwhile shore casting at access points.
West Hawk Lake
A deep, clear crater lake in the Whiteshell Provincial Park famous for lake trout and smallmouth bass; anglers jig rock humps in spring and troll deep in summer, with shore casting from points and docks near West Hawk resort areas.
Winnipeg River
Flowing from Lake of the Woods to Lac du Bonnet and beyond, the Winnipeg River offers current-driven structure for walleye, sauger, smallmouth bass, northern pike, and occasional lake sturgeon, with productive shore access below dams and excellent boat drifts.