Bucket List Fishing Trips: Your Guide to Fly-In Fishing in Manitoba

Host to a long list of unique locales, Manitoba is recognized as “the” place to fulfill one’s enduring angling dream. Longstanding operators and renowned fisheries have built iconic reputations over multiple generations of visiting anglers. Anglers who have not only chosen our remote waters for their customary escape, but who have done so with families, friends and business colleagues for over thirty consecutive years.

Why Manitoba?

Quality of big fish, quantity of fish, multi-species, remarkable facilities and service, renowned guides, rich culture, seclusion and serenity, untamed wilderness, convenient travel and choices to satisfy every budget, need and angling ability. And it doesn’t stop there. Regardless, they are all model attributes that offer solutions to age old reservations, like: Should I go this year? Can I bring my family? Is there other things to do besides fishing? Is it affordable? Can I fish on my own schedule? Can I limit my travel time? Is the fishing really that good? The answer is… yes!

Fishing & Timing

When you think of fly-in fishing…think of exceeding expectations, exhilarating plane rides to miles of untamed lakes and rivers, giant fish, one hundred fish days, screaming reels, heart pounding strikes and hoots and hollers of every type. If giant northern pike, monster lake trout, huge walleye, exotic Arctic grayling and brook trout inspire your angling fury, then Manitoba’s fly-in fishing opportunities should definitely be on your radar.

Depending on operating seasons and chosen species, the months of May through September are popular choices for fly-in fishing trips. Mid-May to late-June can be prime time for those looking to sight fish for giant pike in spring bays, enjoy non-stop action for walleye in shallow water and target monster lake trout on shoals or sand bars. Arctic grayling are also aggressive during the spring spawn. Summer months provide spectacular fishing for northern pike over weed beds, lake trout over deep water drop offs, big walleye over main lake structure and Arctic grayling and brook trout in river current seams or holding pools below rapids. Fall months are equally as productive, pushing big lake trout and brook trout to spawning areas, which provide epic sight fishing opportunities for big fish over reefs and river gravel bars. Big walleye will traditionally hold to current areas and structure, with big pike keying in on weed beds at the mouth of bays and adjacent to current, as well as rocky points.

Options

Manitoba’s fly-in fishing adventures offer everything from exclusive solitude at “do-it-yourself” outpost cabins to a first class, all-inclusive guided experience at legendary lodges. Each destination option will offer its own qualities, advantages and signature angling encounters.

Follow a pre-determined itinerary or set your own schedule. Enjoy all the amenities of a five star hotel or get by with basic, comfortable necessities. Cook your own food or have a chef do it for you. Plan your own fishing day or have a seasoned guide put you on fish. Book a trip for a weekend getaway with the kids or plan a seven day angling expedition with your favourite fishing buddies.

Many destinations can be reached within a thirty minute flight on a float plane or within an hour and a half on a turbo prop aircraft. Winnipeg, Lac Du Bonnet and Thompson are popular hubs for many of the fly-in fishing operations, all of which offer convenient travel access and pre or post trip services.

If you haven’t had the chance to experience a fly-in fishing trip then you haven’t seen fishing at its finest. Sore arms, sun tans, delicious shore lunches, amazing people, mind blowing sights and memories that last a lifetime are just a few more things you can add to the long list of benefits. So the next time you’re contemplating that fishing trip of a lifetime or just that next fishing trip with friends and family, there is only one question you need to ask yourself.

Am I ready for the best fishing experience of my life?

For more information on fly-in outpost and lodge destinations, visit our Lodge and Outfitter Finder.

For videos on fishing in Manitoba, check out our HuntFishMB YouTube Channel.

HuntFishMB Contributor: Chris Chorney