Big Fish, Small Budget: 5 Great Fishing Spots Near Winnipeg
You don’t need a fancy boat or an expensive trip to enjoy incredible fishing in Manitoba. Whether you’re casting from shore, paddling out in a kayak, or dropping a line right in the heart of Winnipeg, there are endless opportunities to catch fish — all without breaking the bank.
With a little bit of gear and the right spot, you can find yourself into walleye, catfish, perch, pike, and more, often within an hour or two of the city.
Reel It In: What’s Coming Up
In this blog, we’ll start by breaking down some simple and effective shore fishing tactics, from bait-and-wait rigs to casting strategies, followed by tips for those using small watercraft like kayaks or float tubes — including key safety reminders. Then, we’ll explore five top fishing areas close to Winnipeg, including scenic riverside hot spots, hidden gems right in the city, and big lake adventures with trophy potential. Whether you’re brand new to fishing or a seasoned angler looking to try somewhere new, there’s something here for everyone.
Tactics for Budget-Friendly Fishing: Shore Fishing Bait-and-Wait Tactics
One of the most reliable and accessible methods for anglers of all experience levels is the classic bait-and-wait technique. Using rigs like a pickerel rig paired with worms or minnows, you simply cast your line, tighten it up, and wait. You can hold your rod or secure it in the sand, between rocks, or in a rod holder, often adding a small bell to signal a bite. This setup is incredibly effective for species like walleye, perch, drum, and more. For catfish or sturgeon, heavier gear and baits like shrimp, cut goldeye, or even stacked minnows or worms can do the trick. Cast into deeper water or current seams, get your line tight, and be ready — sturgeon in particular are known for sudden, heavy takes.
Pro Tip: Stay close to your rod at all times. Quick hooksets not only increase your odds of landing the fish but also prevent deep-hooking, which is crucial if you’re practicing catch and release.
Shore Fishing: Casting
Casting allows for a more active approach, giving you a chance to cover water and explore different presentations. Whether you’re using crankbaits, jigs with plastics or minnows, spoons, or swimbaits, the key is to stay mobile and adjust your approach based on fish activity and structure. If flashy lures aren’t producing, slow down and switch to a jig and minnow setup. Walking the shoreline and targeting current seams, drop-offs, weedlines, or transitions between sand and mud can often lead to a hot bite.
Watercraft Fishing: Kayak, Canoe, Paddleboard, Floatie, etc
Smaller watercraft like kayaks, canoes, and even paddleboards offer an affordable way to access more water and find fish holding farther offshore. The tactics are similar to those from shore, but now you can add trolling into the mix. Whether you’re pulling crankbaits, bottom bouncers with spinner rigs, or simply dragging a jig, covering water is a great way to dial in where fish are holding. Once you find them, you can anchor or drift and fish the area more thoroughly.
Safety First: Always wear a PFD when using a watercraft, and let someone know where you’re headed and when you plan to return. It’s also strongly encouraged to fish with a buddy. In areas without cell service, a GPS communicator like a Garmin InReach can be invaluable. Always monitor wind and weather conditions — particularly on big water like Lake Winnipeg — where things can change fast and create dangerous situations for small craft.
Top Budget-Friendly Locations: Lockport / Selkirk
Just a short 30–40 minute drive from Winnipeg, Lockport and Selkirk are two of the most iconic fishing destinations in the province. Nestled along a picturesque stretch of the Red River, this area is a magnet for anglers seeking both quantity and quality. Lockport offers a beautiful mix of history and scenery — you can fish beside the historic dam, take in the sight of pelicans gliding over the water, or simply enjoy the buzz of anglers lining the shoreline during peak season. It’s a social, scenic, and serious fishery all rolled into one.
The area is best known for its channel catfish, which grow to impressive sizes and offer thrilling fights, but it’s far from a one-trick spot. Anglers also catch walleye, sauger, northern pike, goldeye, sturgeon, yellow perch, brown bullhead, and carp. With hundreds of Master Angler entries coming from this area each year, it’s one of the most consistent multi-species fisheries in the province.
Safety Tip: If you’re fishing from a kayak or canoe, keep safety in mind. The current near the Lockport Dam can be extremely strong and is not recommended for small watercraft. Stick to calmer stretches, avoid heavy boat traffic zones, and always wear your PFD.
Top Budget-Friendly Locations: City of Winnipeg
You don’t even need to leave the city to find excellent fishing — Winnipeg offers numerous accessible, multi-species opportunities for shore anglers. Whether you’re a beginner looking to drop a line after work or an experienced angler hoping to scratch the itch on a quick lunch break, the city has you covered.
The Forks:
- At the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine rivers, this central spot offers chances at walleye, pike, catfish, and even sturgeon. Easy access, public amenities, and a scenic backdrop make it a favourite urban fishing location.
St. Vital Park & St. Norbert:
- These spots along the Red River offer solid access with the potential for catfish, goldeye, and walleye. Great for a casual outing in a quiet, park-like setting.
Assiniboine Park:
- A peaceful area to fish the Assiniboine River, with better results during spring and fall transitions. Look for walleye and the occasional pike or drum.
Seine River:
- A quieter, underfished urban waterway with potential. Try jigs with minnows or plastics, or small crankbaits near deeper bends and shaded cut banks.
La Barrière Park:
- Located on the La Salle River, this is a go-to for multi-species fishing in a calm, relaxing environment. Great for families, new anglers, or those wanting a laid-back experience.
Top Budget-Friendly Locations: FortWhyte Alive
For a clean, quiet, and accessible fishing experience in south Winnipeg, FortWhyte Alive is a fantastic option. This nature reserve offers shoreline fishing on four stocked lakes — home to northern pike, yellow perch, walleye, and common carp. It’s perfect for beginners looking to learn the ropes or seasoned anglers wanting a quick and peaceful getaway without leaving the city.
Fishing at FortWhyte is catch-and-release only, and opens for the season on May 10, 2025. The cost is just $4 per person, and it’s free for FortWhyte Alive members (note: general admission is still required). Children under five fish for free, and youth under 15 must be accompanied by an adult. Rods, tackle, and nets are available to rent, with full setups starting at $10 (or $8 for members), and additional rods available for $5 each. No personal watercraft are allowed, and fishing in wetlands or off docks is prohibited.
Top Budget-Friendly Locations: Delta Beach & Lake Manitoba
Located just under two hours from Winnipeg, Delta Beach is a hidden gem for multi-species fishing. The area provides excellent access to Lake Manitoba, which is known for its shallow depth, making it ideal for kayak fishing, wading, and shoreline casting. While walleye and freshwater drum are the most commonly targeted species, anglers here also encounter northern pike, yellow perch, bullhead, carp, and even the occasional channel cat. Every once in a while, something more unusual like a quillback or buffalo sucker shows up, making every cast a bit of a mystery.
From shore, classic pickerel rigs or jig-and-minnow combos work well. If you’re heading out on a kayak or canoe, trolling with bottom bouncers and spinner rigs can help you cover water and locate schools of fish. Twin Lakes is a great option on the south basin of the lake, offering both shore and kayak access. Structure is minimal, so focus on depth changes, particularly around six feet of water. And if things are slow near shore, don’t hesitate to walk out in your waders — you may find yourself in a whole new zone of fish activity.
Top Budget-Friendly Locations: Lake Winnipeg (South Basin)
Located just one to two hours from Winnipeg, the south basin of Lake Winnipeg offers an incredible mix of trophy fishing potential and natural beauty. This massive body of water is home to famous greenback walleye, pike, perch, sauger, freshwater drum, and channel cats — and all of them are catchable from shore or small watercraft. But what truly elevates the Lake Winnipeg experience is the setting: wide open horizons, soft golden sand beaches, and striking sunrises on the west side, with equally stunning sunsets from the east side.
The west side offers close and convenient spots like:
- Winnipeg Beach – Popular summer town with great shore fishing access and a long breakwall perfect for casting.
- Dunnottar – A quiet alternative just south of Winnipeg Beach with easy shoreline access and space to spread out.
- Chalet Beach – Known for its beautiful stretch of sand and productive shore fishing, especially for drum and walleye.
On the east side, you’ll find:
- Grand Beach – One of Manitoba’s most famous beaches, with scenic dunes and good shoreline access for a mix of species.
- Patricia Beach – Less crowded than Grand, offering peaceful surf fishing and an easy walk to deeper water.
- Lester Beach – A cottage area with smaller crowds, calm waters, and productive shoreline stretches for casting or kayaking.
- Hillside Beach – Great kayak launch access and long, gently sloping shorelines — ideal for exploring shallows and depth edges.
- Victoria Beach – Quiet and scenic, with opportunities for casting near drop-offs or launching a canoe or kayak.
- Balsam Bay – Often a local favorite, this spot is known for consistent walleye bites and accessible boat and kayak fishing.
- Traverse Bay – Sheltered waters make it a reliable option when the main lake gets rough, and a good spot to watch the wind push fish in.
Each of these locations offers great access for shore fishing or launching a kayak, with plenty of public beach space, parking, and room to spread out. When it comes to tactics, you’ll want to stick with what works: bottom bouncers with spinners, jigs with minnows or plastics, or shallow-diving crankbaits are all solid choices. And while the tactics matter, one of the most important things you can do is watch the wind.
If the wind has been blowing into a particular shoreline for a day or two, it often pushes baitfish into that zone — and the bigger fish follow. This doesn’t always mean choosing between the east or west side of the lake. On the east side especially, some specific bays or stretches of shoreline may receive more wind than others, and those pockets can be the most productive. So take note of recent wind direction, wave action, and how the water is moving — those details can help you pinpoint the best zones and drastically improve your odds.
Important Safety Note: Lake Winnipeg is enormous, and conditions can change fast. If you’re fishing from a kayak or small boat, always check the wind forecast, avoid venturing far from shore in high winds, and stay alert for any brewing storm systems. Hugging the shoreline is often the safest — and still highly effective — way to fish this lake.
Reel It All In
Manitoba is full of affordable, accessible fishing opportunities — and you don’t have to drive far or spend a fortune to enjoy them. Whether you’re tossing a line at The Forks, launching a kayak into Lake Manitoba, or hunting trophy greenbacks from a beach on Lake Winnipeg, the experiences are endless — and the next big catch might just be a cast away. Plan smart, fish safe, and make the most of what’s right in your backyard.
