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More Than Fishing: Create a Lifetime of Memories with a Cabin Getaway

Teaching your kids to fish, disconnecting from the hustle and bustle of your daily life and being at one with nature is how you create memories your family will treasure for generations. Here are my best tips on turning your lake weekend getaway or summer vacation into an unforgettable adventure.

Your Lake Winnipeg Fishing Adventure at a Glance

  • Build precious memories and cultivate appreciation of the lifestyle for your little ones on well-planned fishing adventures for your family
  • Beat the in-between-bites boredom with tricks like rod bells and shoreside fort building
  • Get the most out of family fishing adventure by sharing it with the people you love, picking a picturesque destination and planning activities beyond fishing
  • On Lake Winnipeg, expect to catch sauger, freshwater drum, white bass, northern pike, catfish, burbot and the lake’s signature emerald-tinted walleyes
  • Your lakeside cabin is the key to a relaxing adventure, so pick wisely
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Catching Your First Fish

Do you remember when you caught your first fish? Did you catch it from shore? From a canoe? What lure did you catch it on? How old were you? Who were you with?

I don’t remember everything about my first fish, but I remember exactly how it made me feel; the excitement, the surprise, and most importantly, who I was with to share that moment with.

We were visiting extended family at a cabin in Whiteshell Provincial Park. I was five years old, and just before I climbed onto the back of the pedal boat for a ride, I was handed a rod.

A few minutes later I felt a tug.

I didn’t know what to do!

I was told to reel up. I did, and at the end of the line, to my great surprise, was a walleye.

I remember proudly showing it off to my cousins once we returned to shore, telling them, “I caught my first fish!”

That experience would not have been the same without family around to share in my excitement.

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How to Get the Most Out of Your Fishing Adventure

Over the years, I’ve realized the best memories usually aren’t complicated; they’re often built on three simple ingredients:

  1. The people you love
  2. An outdoor adventure you share
  3. A place that feels like home

These are all beautiful on their own, but when you can add one or two more ingredients, all the sweeter. For me, that’s family, fishing and the cabin.

What Fishing on Lake Winnipeg Is Really Like

Most fishing adventures following that first walleye were spent at my grandparents’ cabin near Belair, along the eastern shores of Lake Winnipeg.

Determined to find the perfect casting spot, I often waded through the water, carefully navigating slippery rocks to get there.

In the evenings, if the lake was calm, I would sometimes wait for white bass to break the surface and try to cast right on top of them.

I always wondered if accuracy casting would ever be an Olympic sport, and if so—how good I might fare with my good old spin cast.

One of the things I came to love about fishing on Lake Winnipeg is that every cast held a little mystery. Until the fish surfaced, you never really knew what was on the end of your line. Those are the experiences that shape us.

Over the years, I’ve caught sauger, perch, freshwater drum, white bass, northern pike, catfish, whitefish, sucker, burbot and those emerald greenback walleyes that Lake Winnipeg is so famous for.

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How to Help Kids Fall in Love with Fishing

Fishing with your children can be tricky because they haven’t built the patience skills yet. Here are my best tips on how to get the kids hooked on fishing:

  1. Set up some classic pickerel rigs with worms or salted minnows, a proper weight and, most importantly, a bell to clip onto the end of the rod.
  2. Wedge the rod securely between boulders so you can play while you fish.
  3. Always stay close to the rod, so when you hear the bell ring, you can attend to it quickly.
  4. Once you grab it, hand it to your child and guide them in how to reel up.
  5. Set your drag a bit looser to accommodate your newbie’s lack of finesse and get ready to land whatever fish is on the other end.

One time, the bell pleasantly interrupted our shoreline play only to find that my daughter reeled in not one, but two fish (a walleye and a perch) on her line—one on each of the pickerel rig hooks!

Over the last few years, while fishing here, we have built a driftwood fort (that still stands today), built countless rock towers, caught many frogs and made villages out of rocks, sticks and leaves. As we waited for the bell to ring, we watched dozens of breathtaking sunsets, saw lots of wildlife and threw many rocks at other rocks.

This way, your kids don’t get bored spending hours standing still and casting. They can explore the shoreline, skip rocks, catch frogs and simply enjoy being outside.

Building Family Traditions by Connecting with Nature

It’s amazing how one little stretch of shoreline can become so woven into the story of a family.

The spot where I spent countless hours fishing as a boy became the place where I took my wife on our first (unofficial) date. Years later, it was where I asked her to marry me. Today, that same shoreline is where our children skip rocks, make forts and reel in fish.

That’s the beauty of traditions—they don’t stay with one generation; they become gifts that are passed on.

When I think back to my childhood, it’s often the little things I remember most about a weekend at the cabin. Waking up to the glorious smell of frying bacon. Playing a dice game with grandma. Watching a bear walk through the yard.

Catching a species I haven’t seen before and excitedly going through the Manitoba Angler’s Guide to figure out what fish I just caught.

Those moments became some of my most treasured memories.

As I grew older, I came to understand more of my grandparents’ story. They had lived through war and hardship before coming to Canada in search of something many of us take for granted—a peaceful and free place to raise a family.

My grandpa was a carpenter who built our family cabin half a century ago. As a kid, I never understood why there were days when he and my grandma would sit on the deck with a cup of coffee, saying very little. Now, whenever my wife and I sit on the front deck with our coffee, listening to the birds sing their morning songs, I think I understand.

Today, my wife and I have the privilege of carrying that legacy forward. We get to watch our girls experience the same simple joys that shaped my childhood—rainy afternoons crafting with cousins, the excitement of gathering around someone holding up a fish for a photo or picking saskatoons before sitting down together to enjoy pancakes made from the very berries we gleefully collected just hours ago.

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Your Vacation Cabin Is Your Summer Getaway Home Base

One of my favourite things about cabin life is that the fun doesn’t stop when you put the fishing rods away.

After an evening on the shoreline, the cabin becomes the gathering place. Maybe someone gets the campfire going while the kids hunt for the perfect roasting stick. Before long, marshmallows are golden brown and laughter carries through the trees.

And when everyone heads inside, a stack of board games appears on the table. A favourite cabin movie plays in the background. Someone pulls out the snacks.

Your cabin is a home base where the beach towels dry on deck right beside the rigged and ready fishing rods, and the day’s plans are made over breakfast together.

What I love most, though, is what the cabin quietly encourages us to do: slow down.

Phones stay in pockets a little longer. Conversations become less rushed. No commute means you can enjoy the beautiful sunset a little while longer. Snap a photo of a bear or a fox on a leisurely evening drive. Bike a nearby trail. Look out for the northern lights as you drift away into dreams.

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Craft Your Family Story on Your Manitoba Fishing Adventure

The beautiful thing about Manitoba is that adventure is never too far away. An hour- or two- drive in almost any direction will likely land you where cabins, lakes and fish await.

Maybe this is the summer your child catches their first fish.

Maybe it’s the summer they build their first driftwood fort, make pancakes with freshly picked wild saskatoons or stay up later than usual watching the sun disappear over the lake.

Years from now, your kids won’t remember the first day they were given a tablet or when you painted the outside of your house, but they will remember the first time they caught a fish. And I hope they remember because of who they were with and how excited you were for them.

Those are the experiences that carry a family story forward.

The greatest gift isn’t just passing down a tradition—it’s watching the next generation fall in love with a way of living that brings a spirit of joy, togetherness and adventure.

So, pack the rods. Gather the people you love. Pick a direction and head to cabin country.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I book a cabin for my trip to Lake Winnipeg?

Browse stay options on our dedicated page or make a booking via Expedia or Airbnb.

What’s the best time to go fishing on Lake Winnipeg?

The fishing seasons on the lake will vary depending on your target species, but peaks are typically spring and fall. The famed greenback walleye can be caught year-round but are most prevalent March to June Ice fishing season is typically December to March.

What fish can I catch in Lake Winnipeg?

Lake Winnipeg is known for its greenback walleye—a regular walleye that has an emerald green hue due to the lake’s mineral-rich waters and limestone substrate. You can also reliably fish for burbot, northern pike, freshwater drum, catfish, lake whitefish and yellow perch.

Do I need a license to fish in Lake Winnipeg?

Most visitors between 18 and 64 will need a fishing license. You can get your license at manitobaelicensing.ca.

How do I become a Master Angler?

Manitoba is home to North America’s oldest master angler program, and you can submit your trophy catch to register your success. Learn more about the program and its rules that support the sustainability of the Manitoba’s fisheries and good fishing practices.

Can I fish off a boat on Lake Winnipeg?

Yes, you can fish off a boat on Lake Winnipeg. Browse outfitters to book a guided fishing experience on Lake Winnipeg.

What water safety rules do I need to follow?

If you are heading out on the water, make sure you familiarize yourself and everyone on a trip with you, including small children, with cold water safety rules. Note that water temperature below 21°C (70°F) is classified as cold water. Learn ice safety tips in our dedicated blog post.

Where can I find Manitoba’s fishing guide?

Flip through the pages of the latest Manitoba Anglers’ Guide on our dedicated page.

Paul Epp
Author
Paul Epp | Hunt Fish Guest Contributor
Paul is a storyteller, photographer and outdoor enthusiast who loves backcountry camping, fishing, canoeing and turning everyday adventures into inspiration for others to spend time in Manitoba's wild spaces.

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