Best Ice Fishing Access Points For Greenback Walleye On Lake Winnipeg

Lake Winnipeg’s greenback walleye fishery is one of Manitoba’s biggest winter draws, but getting to the fish starts with choosing the right access and matching your travel plan to the conditions. With heavy snow and frequent winds this season, routes can change quickly and what is drivable one day can be drifted in the next, making it more important than ever to plan ahead, watch the forecast and be realistic about how far you can safely travel.

That is where strong local knowledge comes in. Resources like The Lake Winnipeg Report, along with community groups and clubs in places like Gimli and Sandy Bar, help anglers make informed decisions before they leave the driveway. In the sections below, we break down some of the most popular Lake Winnipeg and Red River access points for targeting greenbacks, including what to expect during travel, where each access point is located and when tracked travel or an ice taxi-style option is the safer bet. We also highlight how guides and outfitters can simplify the experience by handling on-ice travel and logistics, so you can focus on fishing.

Lake Winnipeg Travel Conditions And Getting On The Ice Safely

This winter, deep snow and frequent winds on Lake Winnipeg have made wheeled travel tough, especially once you get away from shore and into exposed areas. The good news is that a number of hard-working individuals and organizations have been clearing trails and ice roads that let anglers reach productive water and chase trophy greenbacks, but those routes can change quickly. When the wind starts to build, trails that were clear an hour ago can drift in quickly, so if you plan to use a plowed access, keep a close eye on the forecast, watch the wind in real time and be ready to leave early before conditions turn. For the most reliable and safest option on the big lake, tracked machines are the best bet, or booking with a guide or outfitter who can handle all the travel logistics to and from the ice.

The Lake Winnipeg Report

“The Lake Winnipeg Report” Facebook group has become one of the most trusted places to check in before heading out on the big lake. Led by Rick Gergatz, his moderator team and a community of more than 44,000 anglers, the group provides real-time travel updates, safety notes and on-ice observations to help people make smarter calls. It has also become a go-to place for coordinating help when someone gets into trouble. Here is a sample update from Rick from the first week of February to give you an idea of the information available on this page.


Sample Report:

Monday, Feb 2nd, 2026

Weekday Ice Report for February 3rd-6th, 2026, (Tuesday-Friday)

As we crawl into the first week of February, we find a mixed bag of conditions typical of the weather systems we are experiencing this year.

More Alberta clippers moving through, first one on Tuesday and the second probably on Thursday. Neither one look to be bringing much snow but as we seen this past weekend, even a bit of snow accompanied by even moderate winds can make for difficult travel on the lake, especially those who attempt wheeled travel.

Snowpack isn’t thinning out yet and each little snowfall with wind only adds to an already significant amount of snow and depth of drifts. Tracked travel is the safest way to get to your honey hole and back to shore.

The plowed trail out from Beaconia is plugged and likely to remain that way as the outfitters have switched to tracked vehicles to service their clients. Any other truck turkey trails out of the remaining launches like Balsam, 103, Warner and Riverton are also drifted in and if they do exist would be quite short in distance. Getting to the mouth of the Red by wheels is increasingly difficult if possible at all.

Pruden may be cleared to the lake but once on the lake badly drifted, blocking wheels to the mouth from that location as well. EOM to the mouth is possible with tracks but wheels are also kept short once they get closer to the lake.

Ice cutting will begin there, usually immediately after the Louis Riel holiday on the 16th of February. Ice is getting thicker along with the amount of snow on top and it is a good idea to have an auger extension, especially in skid or wheel houses and snobears, as you are typically on some snowpack as well as the thickening ice.

Weather:

Tuesday starts with mild temps and mild south winds that will pick up around mid-day with the possibility of a few snow flurries in the early afternoon. Remember, even a bit of snow with any wind can cause chaos on the lake. Visibility and drifting snow, wind isn’t supposed to be crazy but it doesn’t have to be to move snow around on the lake. Stick your head out the tent and be aware of what is happening to the weather.

Wednesday

Seasonal temps with the wind starting mild from the north in the morning, quickly shifting to the southeast picking up toward evening in front of another clipper due on Thursday. Watch the winds in the afternoon as it may be quite gusty.

Thursday

Quite warm overnight and early morning from the south winds. Snow may begin early as flurries Thursday morning and off and on until the afternoon. The wind will shift to the north and temps will accordingly drop off.

Storm tracking shows it going to the north of the south basin and the narrows part of Lake Winnipeg may receive more snow. It is also possible the tracking could shift either north or south and make conditions in the south end better or worse than expected. Check the forecast before you head out. Hope for the best and prepare for the worst.

Friday

The calm after the storm with primarily NE winds that will turn eastward.

East winds usually precede a storm system moving in (a south wind can also indicate this), so we may have another snowy-blowy weekend.

Be smart, be safe and BE PREPARED
Updates like this are exactly why the group has become so valuable for Lake Winnipeg anglers. When conditions can change quickly, having a clear read on snowpack, travel routes, ice thickness and wind trends helps you decide if it is a go day, which access makes the most sense and what kind of transportation is realistic. It also helps you plan smarter, checking the forecast more often, packing the right gear, building in extra time to get off the lake early and avoiding situations where you end up stranded or relying on others to help get you home safely.

Ice Fishing Without A Snowmobile

We know tracked machines are not always an option, but don’t fret, we already have you covered. In our recent blog, Ice Fishing Without A Snowmobile: Top 4 Places To Fish In Manitoba, we break down practical options that still let anglers get in on the action on Lake Winnipeg and beyond, with access points and approaches that make winter fishing more realistic, even without specialized transportation.

Lake Winnipeg Accesses: Balsam Harbour

Balsam Harbour is located about 2 miles off Highway 59 on Road 100, around 15 minutes from South Beach Casino and less than an hour from Winnipeg’s perimeter at Lagimodiere Boulevard. It offers solid access to Lake Winnipeg’s east shore and there is often a trail plowed out through the harbour, although travel beyond that point is typically best suited for tracked machines. As mentioned earlier, there are times when additional routes out onto the lake are cleared by generous individuals, but use extra caution, keep a close eye on conditions and make sure to park in a way that does not block the road or limit access for other anglers.

Lake Winnipeg Accesses: Warner Road

Warner Road is located just south of the community of Matlock, offering access to Lake Winnipeg’s South Basin in the southwest corner of the lake. This access is under 30 minutes from Selkirk and about 45 minutes from Winnipeg’s Perimeter Highway, making it one of the most popular launches on the entire lake.

A big reason it draws so many anglers is the community effort to keep a large parking area on the ice clear, which often gives anglers plenty of room to park vehicles and trailers before heading out when weather allows. From this launch, the mouth of the Red River is roughly 10 kilometres across the lake and it is a key zone where many anglers focus their efforts while searching for Master Angler-sized greenback walleye.

To learn more about what the fishing is like from here, and a fantastic accommodation option nearby, check out our blog: The Ultimate Lake Winnipeg Accommodations - Canalta Selkirk

Lake Winnipeg Accesses: Gimli

Gimli is one of the most approachable access hubs to Lake Winnipeg and it is only about 50 minutes from Winnipeg’s Perimeter Highway. The harbour area is known for maintained access in season and it often becomes a busy ice fishing hub with a spread of shacks and rentals that make the day feel organized and welcoming, even if you are new to fishing the big lake. From an access standpoint, this is the kind of place where community effort can make a real difference, with plowed routes and on-ice activity that help anglers get set up without travelling far. Before you go, the Go Fish Gimli Facebook group is a useful place to watch for access and travel updates and our blog, Harbourfront Walleyes At Lakeview Gimli Resort, is a good read if you want a feel for what the harbourfront fishing experience can look like.

Lake Winnipeg Accesses: Riverton/Sandy Bar

Just down the road from Gimli and a little over an hour from Winnipeg’s Perimeter Highway, Riverton and Sandy Bar offer another community-style access that many anglers and families enjoy when travel is straightforward. Sandy Bar is a well-known Lake Winnipeg area for greenback walleye and is also known for big northern pike.

Like anywhere on the big lake, access and travel routes can change quickly with snow and wind, so the most reliable option here is typically a tracked machine. Before you make the drive, check the Sandy Bar Fishing Club Facebook page for the latest updates on access, plowed routes and current conditions.

Lake Winnipeg Accesses: Hecla Island And Gull Harbour

Hecla Island is located just under two hours from Winnipeg’s Perimeter Highway and it is one of the most scenic winter access options on Lake Winnipeg. The drive itself feels like a proper getaway and once you are on the island, keep your eyes open for wildlife, moose, whitetail deer, foxes, coyotes and with some luck, even a glimpse of lynx or wolves.

Hecla Island

For anglers, Gull Harbour Resort makes getting on the ice feel simple. They offer an ice taxi option that can take you out to the fishing area, drop you off for the day, then pick you up again, taking a lot of the travel and logistics stress off your shoulders. It also pairs perfectly with an overnight stay, with a range of accommodations, an excellent on-site restaurant and rentals for winter gear. If you have your own equipment, guests can access ice shacks at no extra cost. For a more comfort-focused experience, their heated Fish Cave shacks, guided SnoBear excursions, and other upgraded options let you fish Lake Winnipeg in a warm, organized setup.

Gull Harbour Resort and Marina

For more information on this fantastic destination, check out our blog: Island Ice Fishing in Luxury - Gull Harbour Marina

Red River Accesses: Lockport And Selkirk

Lockport is one of the easiest Red River access points for a quick winter fishing day, located under 20 minutes from Winnipeg’s Perimeter Highway. The area is home to LockportLIVE, an ice fishing village where the crew typically keeps roads plowed and access straightforward for visitors, giving it that true community hub feel that works well for families. Fishing-wise, this stretch of the Red is known for greenback walleye and sauger through the ice, with bonus chances at northern pike and goldeye depending on conditions and timing. Before you head out, check the LockportLIVE Facebook page for current access and on-ice updates.

For anglers who want an even simpler option, Selkirk offers great Red River fishing right from town. Walk-on access is very approachable here and a short walk can put you into prime fishing water without needing to drive on the ice.

Red River Accesses: End Of Main

End of Main, often shortened to EOM, is exactly what it sounds like: you follow Main Street straight through Selkirk until the pavement ends, then Main turns into a winding gravel road that hugs the Red River on its way north. That road eventually brings you right to the End of Main boat launch near Netley Creek Provincial Park, a well-known winter starting point for anglers heading toward the Red River mouth and Lake Winnipeg.

Blackwater Cats Outfitting

The launch is a little over 30 minutes from Winnipeg’s Perimeter Highway and about 20 minutes from Selkirk. From there, it is roughly 15 kilometres down the river to the mouth of Lake Winnipeg and in many winters, a plowed trail follows the river, giving anglers a smoother, more direct route instead of crossing the lake to reach that key greenback zone. In heavy-snow years, wheeled travel can be unreliable, so tracked machines are often the safest bet. If a trail makes truck travel possible, keep a close eye on the wind and weather forecast and plan your exit early so you can safely get back before drifting snow closes the route.

Icebound Excursions

Final Notes Before You Hit The Ice

Lake Winnipeg has no shortage of access points and the locations we covered here are just some of the most popular and well-known options for anglers chasing greenback walleye. Conditions also change fast on the big lake, so if you are considering a different access, or you want the latest intel before you commit to a plan, The Lake Winnipeg Report Facebook group is one of the best places to check, chances are the access you are thinking about has already been discussed with recent updates.

To recap, a safe and successful trip starts with matching your access choice to the current snow, wind and travel realities. That means monitoring the forecast, respecting how quickly plowed routes can drift in and knowing when tracked travel or an ice taxi-style option is the safer bet. We also highlighted community hubs and walk-on options that keep things approachable, especially along the Red River. If reading this has you thinking about booking a guide or outfitter to simplify the travel and logistics, check out our blog Best Ice Fishing Spots In Manitoba: A Winter Guide To The Season Ahead, where we highlight ice fishing areas, lodges and outfitters across the province, including Lake Winnipeg. Now pick an access that fits your comfort level, make a smart plan and get out there with one goal in mind, putting a Master Angler greenback walleye on the ice.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What are the most popular access points for greenback walleye on Lake Winnipeg?

Some of the most common starting points include Balsam Harbour, Warner Road, Gimli, Sandy Bar and Gull Harbour.

Which access is best for ice fishing near the Mouth of the Red River?

Many anglers use Warner Road to target the mouth area and End of Main offers a direct river route toward the mouth when travel conditions allow.

Can I ice fish Lake Winnipeg without a snowmobile?

Yes. Depending on conditions, some areas offer plowed community access, walk-on approaches, or services like ice taxis and we also link to a full blog focused on no sled options.

Is wheeled truck travel reliable on Lake Winnipeg?

Not always, especially in heavy snow years. Plowed routes can drift in quickly with wind, so travel plans should be based on current conditions and forecasts.

When is tracked travel the safer option?

Tracked travel is generally always the most reliable option on Lake Winnipeg, especially when snowpack is deep, drifts are building, or wind is likely to plug routes.

Where can I find the latest ice road and travel updates?

The Lake Winnipeg Report Facebook group is a top resource and local community pages like Go Fish Gimli, LockportLIVE and the Sandy Bar Fishing Club are also useful for access updates.

Are there walk-on ice fishing options close to Winnipeg?

Yes. The Red River around Lockport and Selkirk has approachable walk-on spots that can put you into prime fishing water with a short hike.

Keevin Erickson
Author
Keevin Erickson | Hunt Fish Consultant
Keevin Is a passionate hunter and angler with a love for filming, photography, and writing. Watch for his blogs where he'll share his tips, techniques and stories as he explores the province.
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