MARVELS Manitoba
EXPERIENCE FISHING in the HEART of CANADA
MARVELS Manitoba be inspired
EXPERIENCE FISHING in the HEART of CANADA
With over 100,000 lakes and 30 species to choose from!
Welcome to our world class fishery
It’s no wonder why thousands of anglers choose Manitoba as their preferred fishing destination. In a province that’s home to over 100,000 lakes, numerous rivers and creeks and 30 different fish species, angling opportunities are as convenient as they are endless. Whether you’re casting for giant pike, fly fishing for huge brown trout or ice fishing for massive greenback walleye, Manitoba is host to a multitude of exceptional fisheries with real chances for that fish of a lifetime. This is fishing at its finest!
Exclusive opportunities, endless possibilities
With six unique and geographically distinct tourism regions within our provincial borders, Manitoba offers convenient access to a wide selection of extraordinary landscapes, remarkable destinations and some of the most desired angling adventures within North America. From the remote fly-in tributaries off the coast of Hudson Bay to the sprawling drive-to lakes and rivers throughout the Eastern Canadian Shield, Manitoba presents a variety of signature angling experiences within each regional boundary. Fuel your curiosity, explore the unimaginable!
ANGLING EXPERIENCES by region
Choose your adventure, discover the best of Manitoba
LAKE TROUT
Northern Region – The land of the giants
Signature Species: LAKE TROUT NORTHERN PIKE WALLEYE BROOK TROUT ARCTIC GRAYLING
Parkland Region – The fly fishing paradise
Signature Species: BROWN TROUT TIGER TROUT RAINBOW TROUT BROOK TROUT SPLAKE
Interlake Region – The angling phenomenon
Signature Species:
CHANNEL CATFISH GREENBACK WALLEYE GOLDEYE CARP PERCH SAUGER FRESHWATER DRUM
Eastern Region – The multi-species mecca
Signature Species:
SMALLMOUTH BASS LAKE STURGEON BLACK CRAPPIE NORTHERN PIKE WHITE BASS WALLEYE MOONEYE LARGEMOUTH BASS
Western Region – The prarie marvel
Signature Species: YELLOW PERCH SUNFISH SMALLMOUTH BASS ROCK BASS RAINBOW TROUT BROWN TROUT
Pembina Valley Central Plains Region – The southern gem
Signature Species: FRESHWATER DRUM LARGEMOUTH BASS PERCH CARP BLACK CRAPPIE
BROWN TROUT
CHANNEL CATFISH
SMALLMOUTH BASS
YELLOW PERCH
FRESHWATER DRUM
fly-in FISHING
Fly out to the middle of nowhere and you’ll discover some of the finest wilderness fishing experiences imaginable. Arrive by chartered aircraft to an all-inclusive lodge, complete with first class accommodations and amenities, the finest service, gourmet meals, and professional guides. Or take an iconic float plane ride to a secluded outpost camp, offering all the comforts and essentials to enjoy your very own private fishing adventure.
Extraordinary
excursions
to epic angling
Whether you choose exclusive solitude or a full service destination, Manitoba offers the very best in fly-in fishing options. Encounter long-standing operators and renowned waters that have earned legendary reputations over generations. World class fishing for trophy northern pike, walleye, lake trout, arctic grayling and brook trout is here to explore. It’s an ultimate angling experience in the wildest of places.
Photo courtesy of: MN DNR
drive-to FISHING
With thousands of miles of roads throughout our province, Manitoba grants easy and convenient access to some of the finest multi-species fisheries within North America. With various drive-to destinations offering do-it-yourself or guided trips, multiple accommodation and service options plus phenomenal seasonal angling opportunities, it’s no secret to why Manitoba is a preferred choice. Rent a boat or cabin on one of many productive walleye waters, hire a local guide for a classic channel catfish excursion or haul your own rig to a multitude of trophy northern pike and lake trout fisheries.
Convenient access to angling excellence
Regardless of the direction you travel or your length of stay, our drive-to options let you choose your own angling adventure. Countless lakes and rivers with dozens of sought after species are here for you to enjoy.
Help protect Manitoba’s beautiful trees and forests from harmful invasive insects like the emerald ash borer and the Asian long-horned beetle. Do not transport firewood into Manitoba. Buy it locally. If you’re visiting or returning to Manitoba from other provinces and have firewood with you, please dispose of it in the bright orange bins located along the main highways entering Manitoba. Remember that it is illegal to transport any firewood into or out of Manitoba across the Canada-U.S. border.
To learn more, please call the Tree Line at 204-945-7866, or Manitoba Sustainable Development’s toll free number at 1-800-214-6497, or visit: manitoba.ca/conservation/forestry/health/firewood-alert.html
Photo Credit: Travel Manitoba
fly FISHING
From the famous fly-in rivers of our northern frontier to the celebrated stocked lakes of our southern plains, Manitoba offers the devoted fly fisher an excess of both traditional and novelty fly fishing experiences. Sea-run brook trout on remote Hudson Bay tributaries, northern pike on sprawling sub-arctic waterbodies and rainbow and brown trout on diverse prairie stillwaters are all signature “on the fly” encounters which are often unique to select areas of our various provincial regions.
Remarkable encounters on legendary fisheries
Home to multiple national fly fishing championships, endorsed fly fishing lodges, seasoned fly fishing guides and a growing fly fishing culture, Manitoba has established roots in the fly fishing world and has gained a prominent status as a premier fly fishing destination.
ice FISHING
Manitoba is no stranger to the growing “ice fishing revolution”, nor to the world class ice fisheries that annually entice thousands of fanatical ice anglers. Our cold winters are a gateway to unreal ice fishing opportunities, offering favourable access to numerous lakes and rivers and a wide variety of trophy species. Yellow perch, northern pike, lake trout, greenback walleye, rainbow trout and black crappie are popular choices for our loyal ice anglers, as are the remote back country and easily accessible fisheries that Manitoba offers in abundance.
Extreme adventures on renowned hard waters
December through April, our hard water world presents options for everyone. From an easy, do-it-yourself family trip to a local trout lake to a full service guided adventure on the remote limits of our inland oceans, Manitoba presents an open door to epic ice fishing experiences.
fish with a PRO
Manitoba’s fishing lodges and outfitters offer numerous options for a premier angling experience. Take your pick from guided day trips, cabin and boat rentals and drive-to lodges or fly-in to a remote outpost camp or premium first class resort. Whether you are fishing with your family, friends or with a corporate group, our professional operators offer a wide variety of packages, services and amenities to meet everyone’s needs and put you on the best fishing possible.
LODGE and OUTFITTER
Looking for that perfect fishing adventure?
Visit our lodge and outfitter finder page at www.huntfishmanitoba.com and search our list of professional fishing operators by region, species, services and/or amenities.
CREATING legends in MANITOBA
Master Angler Awards Program
Manitoba is home to the oldest master angler program in North America, over 50 years and going strong. Last year alone, more than 18,000 trophy fish from 30 qualifying species were caught and recorded – and almost 90% of those were released. Begin your Master Angler journey, experience the best of Manitoba and be rewarded for your angling accomplishments!
Your Own Official Record
Every qualifying Master Angler fish you catch is honoured with a certificate in recognition of your angling success, but that’s just the start. The Master Angler Program also honours anglers who catch a qualifying fish from 5, 10, 15 and 20 different species. Consider yourself a specialist? Catch 5 qualifying fish of one species and you’ll be rewarded with a Master Angler Specialist Badge!
The Sign of Things to Come
The Master Angler Catch-and-Release badge is given to anglers who release a qualifying fish. The growing number of badges awarded each year is a true testament to the commitment that anglers have adopted, all to ensure of a positive angling future and the sustainability of our rich fisheries resource. Approximately 90% of the entries registered in the program are released by anglers, up from 65% in 1991, when the program first began tracking the percentage of fish released. Start your own catch-and-release practice by earning the one-time Catch-and-Release badge.
ANGLER of the YEAR contest
Win a fishing trip for two valued at over $9,000
to Gangler’s North Seal River Lodge & Outposts and a certificate stating that you are the best of the best – the Manitoba Angler of the Year!
Reel in as many different species as you can throughout 2017!
All you have to do to enter the contest is submit your qualifying Master Angler entries* at anglers.travelmanitoba.com
The winner will be chosen based on the quantity of different species caught.
The winner of the Angler of the Year contest will be announced in April, 2018 on our Facebook page FishAndHuntManitoba and on our blog huntfishmanitoba.com/blog
* Fish must be caught and entered from the first to last day of the contest. Action photos must be captured and available in high resolution (1 MB minimum), meet Master Angler photo requirements and show the qualifying fish species in good health and releasable.
Contest runs: January 1 to December 31, 2017
l’il legends in the MAKING
L’il Angler Awards Program
Budding anglers will delight in Manitoba’s L’il Angler program for kids. Geared toward children 12 years of age and younger, the program encourages kids to get hooked on fishing and gain a little recognition. It’s easy and it’s fun!
When little anglers catch their first fish, they, or their parents, apply online with a photo. Travel Manitoba will send the L’il Angler an embroidered crest and a certificate of achievement. There is no length requirement and the fish can be any of the qualifying species found in Manitoba.
L’IL ANGLER of the YEAR contest
Capture the memory of your child’s first catch and they could be named L’il Angler of the Year!
It’s easy to enter! Simply submit your child’s L’il Angler entry with a photo* at anglers.travelmanitoba.com. The winner will be chosen based on the photo that captures the best “first fish” experience.
The winner of the L’il Angler of the Year contest will be announced in April, 2018 on our Facebook page FishAndHuntManitoba and on our blog huntfishmanitoba.com/blog
* Fish must be caught and entered from the first to last day of the contest. Photos must be captured and available in high resolution (1 MB minimum). Photos must show the qualifying fish species being held without a vertical gill hold, in good health and releasable.
Contest runs: January 1 to December 31, 2017
Anglers 12 and under can win a $500 Cabela’s gift card, certificate and the title of L’il Angler of the Year!
COMMON CARP
LARGEMOUTH BASS
MOONEYE
GOLDEYE
MUSKELLUNGE
LAKE STURGEON
LAKE TROUT
LAKE WHITEFISH
ROCK BASS
SUNFISH
TIGER TROUT
SAUGER
WALLEYE
SMALLMOUTH BASS
YELLOW PERCH
MASTER ANGLER contest
We want to see your best catch!
Every month, enter an action photo to see how your Master Angler catch measures up to other catches of the same species or wow us with your action photo in the wildcard category.
Submit an action photo with your qualifying Master Angler entry that showcases the species and demonstrates the “wow” factor of fishing in Manitoba. Every qualifying entry * has a chance to win a Cabela’s gift card valued at $1,000!
Submit your qualifying Master Angler entries at anglers.travelmanitoba.com Winning action photos will be judged based on the quality of the photo, how well the species is presented and “wow” factor. Watch our Facebook page at FishAndHuntManitoba and visit our blog huntfishmanitoba.com/blog to see if you’re the monthly winner!
$1,000 monthly prize pack
* Fish must be caught and entered from the first and last day of each contest month. Action photos must be captured and available in high resolution (1 MB minimum), meet Master Angler photo requirements and show the qualifying fish species in good health and releasable.
Contest runs: January 1 to December 31, 2017
With over 20 different locations for you to shop and dine - you will never have a shortage of places to visit. Everything you need is just around the corner.
For more information, please visit waa.ca/services.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Manitoba Fishing License
A fishing license is required for anglers aged 16 to 64. Anglers may choose to purchase a Regular or Conservation License. A Conservation License offers a reduced cost but is subject to a reduced limit for specific fish species. Anglers who are age 65 and over and have permanently resided in Manitoba for at least six months, qualify for a free Manitoba Resident Seniors Conservation License. Youth anglers under the age of 16 who have permanently resided in Manitoba for at least six months do not need a fishing license.
Status Indians do not require a fishing license.
Barbless Hooks
In Manitoba, anglers must use barbless hooks. Be sure to squeeze the barbs on your hooks so they are flat and in complete contact with the hook shaft. When fishing, hooks attached to any line, whether in use or not, must be barbless. Barbed hooks may be kept in the tackle box.
Catch and Release Tips
Focus on “Fish First” practices
Use appropriate fishing gear for targeted species
Always play your fish as little as possible
Have your landing equipment ready and proper release tools within reach
If required, have a plan to take a quick photo and/or measurement before the fish is taken out of the water
Return the fish to the water quickly
Practice proper revival and release techniques
Never hold a fish by its eyes or gills, a vertical gill hold or weigh scale
Never lift a large fish out of the water without supporting its weight with one hand under its belly
Never squeeze a fish’s belly
Never release fish that have been held on a stringer
Never expose fish to temperatures where their eyes, skin or fins may freeze
NEED MORE INFORMATION?
Travel Manitoba Visitor Information Centre
For free Travel Manitoba literature, travel counseling services and any information you need to plan your next fishing trip to Manitoba, contact us at:
Travel Manitoba
21 Forks Market Road
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3C 4T7
Tel: 204-927-7838
Toll Free: 1-800-665-0040
Email: info@travelmanitoba.com
Website: www.travelmanitoba.com
Manitoba Lodges and Outfitters Association
The Manitoba Lodges and Outfitters Association (MLOA) represents the province’s fishing, hunting and outdoor tourism operators.
Manitoba Lodges & Outfitters Association
501-1020 Lorimer Blvd
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3P 1C7
Tel: 204-772-1912
Toll Free: 1-800-305-0013
Email: mloa@mloa.com
Website: www.mloa.com
Manitoba Wildlife Federation
Manitoba Wildlife Federation (MWF) represents the interests of Manitoba’s anglers, hunters and outdoor enthusiasts.
Manitoba Wildlife Federation 70 Stevenson Road
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3H 0W7
Tel: 204-633-5967
Toll Free: 1-877-633-4868
Email: info@mwf.mb.ca
Website: www.mwf.mb.ca
Manitoba Sustainable Development (Fisheries Branch)
For information on Manitoba fishing licenses, fishing seasons, limits or general fishing regulations. Fisheries Branch
Box 20 - 200 Saulteaux Crescent, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3J 3W3
Tel: 204-945-6640
Website: www.gov.mb.ca/waterstewardship/fish/
Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA)
For information, questions or concerns about crossing the border into Canada.
Canadian Border Services Agency
Toll Free: 1-800-461-9999 (within Canada)
Tel: 1-204-983-9500 (outside Canada)
Email: contact@cbsa.gc.ca
Website: www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca
Fish/Hunt Blog
Get tips, tricks, recipes and more through the stories, photos and videos found on the blog. Sign up for our monthly e-newsletters to get the top stories sent straight to your inbox.
stay CONNECTED
huntfishmanitoba.com
Your number one source for information on fishing in Manitoba: what you’ll catch, where to catch them, and a complete listing of operators to guide you.
OPT IN to WIN contest
DRAW:
Enter your latest catch, keep tabs on your personal records plus the all-time best entries, and stay in touch with what’s happening with the Manitoba Master Angler Program.
Master Angler App
Enter your catch in the Master Angler record book while you’re still on out the water with the Master Angler App – the easiest and fastest way to submit your entries.
Social Channels
Stay connected with us on our social channels. Our YouTube channel is stocked with info and you can share your best catch with us on Facebook and Instagram. anglers.travelmanitoba.com
