Island Ice Fishing in Luxury - Gull Harbour Marina
Nestled on iconic Lake Winnipeg, Hecla Island is a jewel of Manitoba, steeped in natural beauty and a fascinating history. This unique island, named after Iceland’s Mount Hekla, has strong ties to Icelandic settlers who arrived in the late 19th century, bringing with them a rich culture and traditions that still echo today. Once a thriving fishing and farming community, Hecla has transformed into a destination renowned for its serene landscapes, wildlife, and diverse activities, all while preserving its historical roots. A drive across the causeway transports you into a tranquil retreat, where dramatic shorelines, forests, and the enduring spirit of the island come together to create an unforgettable experience.
At the heart of this wonder lies Gull Harbour Marina, the perfect basecamp for winter adventures. This gem combines modern comfort with the rugged charm of the island, offering everything from cozy, newly renovated accommodations to unforgettable ice fishing experiences. Whether you’re dropping a line through the ice in a Snobear, savouring a gourmet meal at the Lighthouse Inn, or relaxing in the brand-new sauna, Gull Harbour takes care of every detail to make your stay remarkable. Beyond fishing, winter enthusiasts can explore the island’s snow-covered trails, enjoy skating under the stars, or immerse themselves in the area’s Icelandic heritage with a one-of-a-kind commercial fishing tour. Gull Harbour isn’t just a destination—it’s a gateway to the magic of Hecla Island, where every moment feels like a story waiting to be told.
A One of a Kind Winter Wonderland - Hecla Island
Hecla island is a very unique place here in Manitoba. It’s on iconic Lake Winnipeg and is realistically the only inhabited island on the entire lake. With scenic shorelines and a lot of activities, it’s a common tourism destination for obvious reasons. Personally, I’ve golfed, camped, open water fished and ice fished all out of Hecla. However, somehow I have never stayed at Gull Harbour. I knew it was there, I’ve walked by it multiple times, but I’ve never investigated, until now.
I had the opportunity to go on an ice fishing trip out of Gull Harbour with a few friends of mine and we all had an absolute blast. We were all pleasantly surprised with just how refined, well managed, and comfortable the stay was at Gull Harbour. Not to mention some great fishing to top it off.
The Journey to Hecla
An enjoyable part of any road trip is simply getting there. My buddy Josh and I packed the truck up in Winnipeg and embarked on the 2 hour drive to Hecla. Getting onto the island is always a freeing feeling and some of the views along the way are absolutely stunning. With some good conversation and beautiful sightseeing, you’re there in no time.
When you arrive, your first stop is the convenience store. There, you’ll be greeted by the always smiling Jodi who will check you in and be your primary point of contact. She’ll answer any questions you might have and start your trip off on the right foot. The convenience store is also incredibly well stocked so if you forgot anything at home, there’s a very good chance they’ll have it available for purchase right there.
Cozy Accomodations
Once Jodi has given you your cabin keys, you’ll make your way to your cabin and settle in. There are a range of accommodation options at Gull Harbour. Ranging from two to six-person cabin rooms, there are plenty of options, all of which are beautifully finished and recently remodelled. The last option is the private cabin, which is a two-bedroom and features a full eat-in kitchenette and barbecue. This would be perfect for small groups or families looking for a little extra privacy. All of the accommodations looked amazing. We stayed in the motel-style rooms with queen beds, which were an absolute dream to sleep in.
Snobear Adventure
We booked the Snobear adventure for the first two days that we were there. So, in the mornings, we had some coffee and a quick bite to eat and when we walked outside, both Snobears were already warmed up and ready to go for us. Andrew Meyer, the manager, and Drake Oldenburg, one of the guides, picked our group up in front of our cabins and we were on our way. It was pretty sweet to just walk out our cabin door and get picked up by a warm Snobear.
A great feature of Hecla Island is that there really is great fishing just about anywhere. You don’t need to travel a long way and we never did. One of the best fishing spots we spent time at was within sight of Gull Harbour. It’s also where we started the first day.
Fishing in Luxury
For anyone who has never fished out of a Snobear, it’s a treat. We arrived at the first spot, with the press of a button, Drake lowered the Snobear. Then, he removes the hole covers, cuts the holes inside the bear, and you’re fishing, just like that. It’s a couple minutes, all spent inside the warmth of the bear, and you’re all fishing.
Incredible Fishing
We started with a traditional lineup of Lake Winnipeg Greenback crushers with Josh on a lipless crank, me on a spoon, and Drake with the trusty jig and a minnow. I got some attention on the spoon but it’s hard to beat a crank bait out there and sure enough, Josh was the first to hook up. He didn’t mark the fish on his sonar for more than 5 seconds before a few quick taps of the rattle and it smoked it.
Only being in 7 feet of water meant the fight was short and sweet and the next thing we knew he landed the 22’’ greenback. Not a bad starter fish if you ask me. After a quick photo and release of Josh’s fish, Drake strikes gold, or maybe green I guess, with a nice greenback of his own. After another quick photo, we knew we were in the right spot.
Our friends Andrew and Keevin were fishing right beside us. After our first 20+’’ fish in a matter of minutes, I walked over to the other Snobear to give the update. When I did, surprisingly, they basically had the same report and had also already landed some great fish, which was extremely promising. We stayed at that spot all morning and caught fish the whole time.
The Lighthouse Inn
When noon rolled around, we all decided a bite to eat was in order. One amazing benefit of Gull Harbour and their Snobear Adventure is their Lighthouse Inn and the ease of access to it. Because we were within sight, it was just a few minutes to pack up and a few minutes drive and we were at the front doors of the restaurant. And believe me, this isn’t any old restaurant.
To put it simply, the Lighthouse Inn feels nicer than it should be. You walk in and immediately feel the hunting beach style beach house theme that they are going for. It’s beautiful, grand, and styled to perfection. It doesn’t take long before you forget where you are and that you’re still in Hecla, and not somewhere like Santa Monica or The Hamptons. There’s a beautiful fireplace, pool table, couches, a lounge, and to top it off, an enormous, high ceiling, glass patio overlooking the lake.
One of the staff members suggested that we try the maple-bacon chicken burger. When you put those words together it’s pretty hard to say no so that’s exactly what we tried. It was a stunning dish with fantastic presentation and most importantly, it was delicious. We finished up our meal and then when we were ready to rock, we walked right back into the Snobear and headed back out fishing.
Fishing and Fine Dining
The afternoon was much the same; we caught a bunch of fish and the average size was great. Lots of walleye over 20’’ and between some good laughs and great fishing, the afternoon flew by. It wasn’t long before the sun was setting and we headed back for supper.
In the evening, the Lighthouse Inn becomes even more comfortable. The lights dim, candles are lit, and it becomes a really special place to just have a beverage and converse with your friends. The bartender walked over a speakeasy menu with diverse, fun options. All of the beverages had character and made for a unique experience. Keevin and I both went for the 12oz ribeye and besides coming to Gull Harbour in the first place, that was the best decision I made all week. Cooked to perfection, it was exactly what I needed at that moment.
After supper, we decided to check out the outdoor skating rink on the lake that Gull Harbour has right out from their patio. We played some shinny, had some laughs, and enjoyed the winter night under the stars.
An Ice Fishing Shack Like No Other
The following morning looked a lot like the day prior, at least to start. We took the Snobears out in the morning, crushed fish, and came back for lunch. However, the afternoon looked a little different.
Gull Harbour just got a brand new custom ice fishing shack and we had the opportunity to be the first ones to test it out. It has everything you need in an ice shack and more.
Fishing rod storage, a sink, bunk beds, chairs, lights, a wood stove, bug windows, and even a toilet. We fished four people in it with ease, and also had another two people just hanging out and at no point did it feel crammed. We caught a bunch of fish in it as we fished into the dark and before we eventually decided that it was time for supper.
More Than Just Fishing - Winter Activities
Gull Harbour has a lot more to offer than just fishing. There are plenty of winter activities you can do with Gull Harbour as home base such as snowmobile rentals, hiking, snowshoeing, massages, sauna, you name it. They just got a brand new sauna made and we were able to check it out one day and its absolutely beautiful. One other experience that they offer is an Icelandic Commercial Fishing Tour and that’s what we were going to do on our final day.
Commercial Ice Fishing Tours
The commercial fishing tour starts at Hecla Village, which is a short drive from Gull Harbour and has a rich history of commercial fishing.
We then met our tour guide, Eric ‘’Rusty’’ Johannson. Rusty explained the general plan for the day: Get a ride in the Bombardier to the commercial fishing area and then watch as Rusty and his crew check and reset the nets, explaining the process along the way. We were all very excited for it so we hopped in the Bombardier and were on our way.
Riding in Style
Riding in a Bomber is always fun, it’s “the Cadillac of fishing” as Rusty called it. As we learned the commercial fishing process, watching the crew work as a well oiled machine, you realize very quickly that it’s hard work and not everybody is cut out for it.
Rusty’s crew all knew their job and it was fun to watch and even more fun to learn. Rusty is a fantastic character, great person, and an extremely enthusiastic teacher. He made the experience very memorable for all of us and we were extremely happy we took part in the experience. Regardless of what kind of group you are, Rusty is happy to take you out, teach your kids about commercial fishing, cook a shore lunch on the lake, and create an experience that you won’t soon forget.
The Perfect Winter Getaway
Our commercial fishing tour wrapped up our stay at Gull Harbour and was a great conclusion to a very successful trip. Gull Harbour surprised me and won me over. From great staff to impeccable food in a gorgeous restaurant, to great fishing in a comfortable Snobear, our ice fishing trips were both special and complete. I didn’t know that everything we did on our trip was available on a Lake Winnipeg ice fishing trip, but it is, and I’ll definitely go back as a result. Whether you’re a group of hardcore fishing buddies, a family with kids, or have never been ice fishing before and want an entry level option to try it out, Gull Harbour can offer you a special, catered ice fishing vacation.
