Fishing in Northern Manitoba

Northern Manitoba is where the Canadian Shield dominates the landscape, creating thousands of deep, clear lakes that produce some of the finest fishing in the province. This region demands more travel to reach, but rewards anglers with trophy lake trout, northern pike, walleye, and smallmouth bass in a stunning wilderness setting.

1. Clearwater Lake (Lake Trout & Northern Pike)

5 hours north of Winnipeg, near The Pas

Clearwater Lake is one of the premier lake trout lakes in Manitoba, if not all of Canada. The lake sits in a meteorite impact crater and reaches depths of over 100 feet. The water is exceptionally clear, creating ideal conditions for lake trout that average 5-15 pounds, with trophy fish over 30 pounds caught regularly. Trolling with downriggers and large spoons is the standard technique. The lake also holds northern pike and walleye. Clearwater Lake has a provincial park with a campground, boat launch, and interpretive programs.

2. Athapapuskow Lake (Lake Trout, Smallmouth Bass & Walleye)

6 hours north of Winnipeg, near Flin Flon

Athapapuskow Lake, just south of Flin Flon, is world-renowned for its lake trout and smallmouth bass fishing. The lake's clear, rocky waters produce exceptional fish of both species. Lake trout in the 5-15 pound range are common. Smallmouth bass fishing is outstanding, with fish in the 2-4 pound range and a strong population. The lake also holds walleye and northern pike. Athapapuskow has several lodges and outfitters, making it a popular fly-in and drive-to destination.

3. Phantom Lake (Walleye, Northern Pike & Lake Trout)

6 hours north of Winnipeg, near Flin Flon

Phantom Lake, adjacent to Flin Flon, offers excellent fishing for walleye, northern pike, and lake trout. The lake is easily accessible from the town and has a boat launch. Phantom Lake provides good fishing without requiring a long boat ride. Walleye in the 2-4 pound range are common. The lake is a popular destination for local anglers and visitors alike.

4. Grass River Provincial Park (Walleye, Northern Pike & Lake Trout)

5 hours north of Winnipeg

Grass River Provincial Park offers excellent fishing in a network of lakes connected by the Grass River. The park's lakes hold walleye, northern pike, and lake trout. The Grass River itself offers good river fishing for walleye and pike. The park has campgrounds, canoe routes, and hiking trails. The park is less developed than some other northern destinations, offering a more remote experience.

5. Reed Lake (Walleye, Northern Pike)

6 hours north of Winnipeg, near Flin Flon

Reed Lake, west of Flin Flon, offers excellent fishing for walleye and northern pike. The lake's shallow, productive waters hold healthy populations of both species. Reed Lake is accessible by road and has a boat launch. The lake is a popular destination for anglers based in the Flin Flon area.

6. Cormorant Lake (Walleye, Northern Pike & Lake Trout)

4 hours north of Winnipeg

Cormorant Lake, near The Pas, offers fishing for walleye, northern pike, and lake trout. The lake is large and has diverse habitat, from shallow weedy bays to deep basins. Cormorant Lake is accessible by road and has a lodge and boat launch. The lake is less pressured than Clearwater Lake.

7. Kisseynew Lake (Walleye, Northern Pike & Lake Trout)

6 hours north of Winnipeg

Kisseynew Lake, located between Flin Flon and Thompson, offers excellent fishing in a remote setting. The lake is large and deep, holding quality populations of walleye, northern pike, and lake trout. Kisseynew Lake is accessible by gravel road and has a remote lodge. The area offers excellent wildlife viewing opportunities.

8. Setting Lake (Walleye, Northern Pike & Lake Trout)

6 hours north of Winnipeg

Setting Lake, near the community of Cranberry Portage, offers excellent fishing for walleye, northern pike, and lake trout. The lake is part of the Grass River system and has good access from Highway 10. Setting Lake has several lodges and outfitters. The lake's diverse habitat — from shallow bays to deep basins — holds healthy fish populations.

9. Snow Lake Area (Lake Trout, Walleye & Northern Pike)

7 hours north of Winnipeg

The Snow Lake area, northeast of Flin Flon, offers excellent fishing in numerous lakes. Snow Lake itself holds lake trout and northern pike. The surrounding lakes, including Herblet Lake and Dhillon Lake, offer walleye and pike fishing. The area is remote and less pressured than the Flin Flon area. Several lodges and outfitters operate in the region.

10. Fly-In Lakes (Trophy Lake Trout & Northern Pike)

Various locations across Northern Manitoba

The ultimate Northern Manitoba fishing experience is a fly-in trip to one of the countless remote lakes accessible only by float plane. These lakes receive minimal fishing pressure and produce trophy lake trout, northern pike, and walleye. Several outfitters in Flin Flon, Thompson, and Lynn Lake offer fly-in packages. These trips are expensive but offer some of the finest fishing in North America.

11. Wekusko Lake (Walleye, Northern Pike, Lake Trout)

6 hours north of Winnipeg, near Snow Lake

Wekusko Lake, located near Snow Lake, offers excellent fishing for walleye, northern pike, and lake trout. The lake's diverse habitat — from shallow bays to deep basins — holds healthy populations of all three species. Wekusko Lake has several lodges and is accessible by road from Highway 392. The area is less developed than the Flin Flon region.

12. Issett Lake (Lake Trout, Northern Pike)

7 hours north of Winnipeg, fly-in access

Issett Lake, located in a remote area northwest of Thompson, offers trophy lake trout and northern pike fishing. The lake's clear, deep waters hold exceptional lake trout. Issett Lake is fly-in only and is managed by lodges that offer all-inclusive packages. This is a true wilderness fishing experience.

13. Big Sand Lake (Lake Trout, Northern Pike)

7 hours north of Winnipeg, fly-in access

Big Sand Lake, located in northwestern Manitoba, offers outstanding lake trout and northern pike fishing. The lake's clear, deep waters produce trophy-sized fish. Big Sand Lake is fly-in only and has several lodge operations. The lake's remote location ensures excellent fishing with minimal pressure.

14. Kississing Lake (Walleye, Northern Pike, Lake Trout)

6 hours north of Winnipeg, near Flin Flon

Kississing Lake, located south of Flin Flon, offers fishing for walleye, northern pike, and lake trout. The lake is large and has diverse habitat. Kississing Lake is accessible by road from Highway 10 and has several lodges. The lake's proximity to Flin Flon makes it a popular destination for anglers visiting the area.

15. Goose Lake & Mitishto Lake (Northern Pike, Walleye)

5 hours north of Winnipeg, near The Pas

Goose Lake and Mitishto Lake, located near The Pas, offer northern pike and walleye fishing in a less-pressured setting. These lakes are smaller than Clearwater Lake but provide good fishing with fewer crowds. The lakes are accessible by gravel road and offer a more remote experience than the The Pas area's primary waters.

16. Rocky Lake & Twin Lakes Area (Northern Pike, Walleye)

5 hours north of Winnipeg, near Cranberry Portage

Rocky Lake and the Twin Lakes, located in the Cranberry Portage area, offer northern pike and walleye fishing. These lakes are part of the Grass River system and hold healthy fish populations. The area has several campgrounds and is less developed than the Flin Flon region. The Cranberry Portage area is a popular stop for anglers travelling to Flin Flon.

17. Little Limestone Lake (Walleye, Northern Pike)

5 hours north of Winnipeg, near The Pas

Little Limestone Lake offers fishing for walleye and northern pike in a unique geological setting. The lake is known for its marl bottoms and clear, turquoise waters. The lake holds healthy fish populations and offers a scenic setting. Little Limestone Lake is accessible by road from The Pas.

18. Barren Lake (Lake Trout, Northern Pike)

6 hours north of Winnipeg, near Flin Flon

Barren Lake, located south of Flin Flon, offers lake trout and northern pike fishing. The lake's clear, deep waters hold healthy lake trout populations. Barren Lake is less developed than the larger Flin Flon area lakes, offering a quieter experience. The lake is accessible by gravel road.

19. Molson Lake (Northern Pike, Walleye)

6 hours north of Winnipeg, near Norway House

Molson Lake, located in the Norway House area, offers northern pike and walleye fishing. The lake is part of the Nelson River system and holds healthy fish populations. Molson Lake is accessible by boat from Norway House or by float plane. The area offers a true northern wilderness experience.

20. Pukatawagan Lakes (Northern Pike, Walleye, Lake Trout)

8 hours north of Winnipeg, fly-in or rail access

The Pukatawagan area, accessible by the Pukatawagan railway from The Pas or by float plane, offers remote fishing for northern pike, walleye, and lake trout in several lakes. The area is home to the Mathias Colomb First Nation. Fishing is managed through local outfitters. This is one of the most remote fishing destinations in Manitoba.

21. Gods Lake (Northern Pike, Lake Trout, Walleye)

8 hours north of Winnipeg, fly-in only

Gods Lake is one of Manitoba's largest and most remote lakes, located in the far northeast of the province. The lake is famous for producing trophy northern pike over 20 pounds and lake trout exceeding 30 pounds. Gods Lake is fly-in only, accessed through lodges that offer all-inclusive packages. The lake's remote location and minimal fishing pressure make it one of the premier trophy fishing destinations in Manitoba.

22. Reindeer Lake (Northern Pike, Walleye, Lake Trout)

8 hours north of Winnipeg, straddles Manitoba-Saskatchewan border

Reindeer Lake is a massive lake straddling the Manitoba-Saskatchewan border. The Manitoba side offers excellent fishing for northern pike, walleye, and lake trout. The lake has several lodges and is accessible by road from Lynn Lake or by float plane.

23. Cross Lake (Walleye, Northern Pike, Lake Trout)

7 hours north of Winnipeg

Cross Lake, located on the Nelson River system northeast of Thompson, offers excellent fishing for walleye, northern pike, and lake trout. Cross Lake has a lodge and is accessible by road from Thompson.

24. Oxford Lake (Walleye, Northern Pike, Lake Trout)

8 hours north of Winnipeg, fly-in access

Oxford Lake, located in the Hayes River system northeast of Thompson, offers excellent fishing for walleye, northern pike, and lake trout. Oxford Lake is fly-in only with lodge packages available.

25. Playgreen Lake (Walleye, Northern Pike, Lake Trout)

7 hours north of Winnipeg, near Norway House

Playgreen Lake, located near Norway House on the Nelson River system, offers excellent fishing for walleye, northern pike, and lake trout. The lake has several lodges and is accessible by road from Thompson or by boat from Norway House.

26. Island Lake (Walleye, Northern Pike, Lake Trout)

8 hours north of Winnipeg, fly-in only

Island Lake, located in northeastern Manitoba near the Ontario border, offers excellent fishing for walleye, northern pike, and lake trout. The lake is fly-in only with several lodge operations.

27. Schist Lake (Walleye, Northern Pike, Lake Trout)

6 hours north of Winnipeg, near Flin Flon

Schist Lake, located near Flin Flon, offers fishing for walleye, northern pike, and lake trout. The lake is easily accessible from Flin Flon and provides good fishing close to town.

28. Sipiwesk Lake (Northern Pike, Walleye, Lake Trout)

7 hours north of Winnipeg, near Thompson

Sipiwesk Lake, located on the Nelson River system near Thompson, offers excellent fishing for northern pike, walleye, and lake trout. The lake is accessible from the Thompson area.

29. Granville Lake (Northern Pike, Lake Trout)

8 hours north of Winnipeg, fly-in access

Granville Lake, located northwest of Thompson, offers fishing for northern pike and lake trout in a remote setting. The lake is fly-in only and receives minimal fishing pressure.

30. Whitefish Lake (Northern Pike, Walleye)

6 hours north of Winnipeg, near The Pas

Whitefish Lake, located near The Pas, offers northern pike and walleye fishing. The lake is smaller than nearby Clearwater Lake and offers less fishing pressure.

31. Nelson River (Walleye, Northern Pike, Lake Trout)

Flows through Thompson area to Hudson Bay

The Nelson River is one of Manitoba's largest rivers, flowing from Lake Winnipeg to Hudson Bay. The river offers excellent fishing for walleye, northern pike, and lake trout. The Nelson River system provides diverse habitat from swift currents to deep pools. The river is accessible from Thompson and several communities along its length.

32. Burntwood River (Walleye, Northern Pike)

Flows through Thompson

The Burntwood River flows through Thompson and joins the Nelson River system. The river offers walleye and northern pike fishing within the Thompson area. The river provides convenient fishing for anglers based in Thompson.

33. Hayes River (Walleye, Northern Pike, Lake Trout)

Northern Manitoba, fly-in access

The Hayes River is a historic fur trade route flowing from Molson Lake to Hudson Bay. The river offers excellent fishing for walleye, northern pike, and lake trout in a remote wilderness setting. The Hayes River is a designated Canadian Heritage River and is popular for multi-day canoe trips.

34. Grass River (Walleye, Northern Pike)

Flows through Grass River Provincial Park

The Grass River flows through Grass River Provincial Park and offers walleye and northern pike fishing. The river connects several lakes in the park system and provides excellent canoe fishing opportunities.

Fishing Tips for the Northern Manitoba Region

• Plan for distance — Northern Manitoba is a long drive from Winnipeg. Flin Flon is 6 hours, Thompson is 8 hours. Plan your travel time and fuel stops carefully.
• Book fly-in trips early — Fly-in lodges and outfitters book months in advance. Popular weeks in July and August fill up quickly.
• Bring mosquito repellent — Northern Manitoba has intense mosquito and black fly populations, especially in June and early July. A head net is essential.
• Check road conditions — Many northern highways are gravel and can be rough. Check road conditions before travelling, especially in spring and fall.
• Hire a guide — For first-time visitors, hiring a local guide is the best way to learn the waters and maximize your fishing time.