Day Trip to Whiteshell Provincial Park
Day trips are an essential element of the angling lifestyle. For most of us working a 9–5 weekday schedule, having exciting weekend activity to look forward to is essential. A quick, efficient trip to a fishy lake can make all the difference when time is limited — and Whiteshell Provincial Park offers more than any angler needs to scratch the fishing itch.
Home to many accessible lakes that are reasonably close to Winnipeg — most within a 90–120 minute drive — it’s easy to pick a target species and find a lake that suits your needs. For this day trip, we studied the map with smallmouth bass in mind and chose Star Lake as our spot for the day.
We knew that we likely had a multi-species day ahead of us, so although we packed for smallmouth, we brought a few extra tackle trays in case other opportunities arose — and they sure did! The smallmouth spots we had pinned earlier, which included deeper rock structures adjacent to the shoreline (where the bass are likely hiding in late June and July), were holding fish. After casting a mix of ned rigs, paddle tails, and bladebaits, we dialled in on a bite and caught what felt like an endless number of medium-sized smallmouths, with a few larger ones mixed in.
Once we had our fill of smallmouth, we set out to find deeper water and scanned for larger marks. The very first fish we located was suspended over 18 feet of water and looked to be quite long. One cast with a 3” paddle tail and the bite was on! The fish charged the bait almost as soon as it hit the surface, and the reel started peeling drag from the strike. After a short fight, a solid 23” walleye was in the net, showing off its beautiful Canadian Shield golden walleye colours.
From there, we toured some of the deeper areas and located pods of smaller fish stacked closer to the bottom, moving around quite quickly. Assuming they were crappies, we downsized to smaller minnow-style plastic baits rigged on ¼-ounce jigheads. It wasn’t long before we had our first Manitoba Master Angler black crappie beside the kayaks. If you’ve ever fished for crappies, you know how much fun they are to catch — and how interactive the experience becomes when using a sonar device. There’s nothing better than watching your bait fall into the school and seeing, in real time, as one breaks away from the pack and races up to catch your jig before someone else steals their lunch.
Hunger had started to set in by late afternoon, and luckily for us, the Nite Hawk Cafe was just around the bend from the boat launch. We were seated on their fantastic screened-in patio and learned it was their weekly steak night! Everything on the menu looked tempting, but we decided it would be best to take advantage of the feature and load up on protein after a long day on the water. The service was fantastic as always, the drinks were cold, and the food was absolutely delicious.
As evening approached, our day trip extended into an overnight stay just a short drive across the #1 Highway at The Hotel at Falcon Lake. Recently renovated with numerous updates, the hotel offers a comfortable and entertaining stay. With a new restaurant and a spacious, cozy lounge, there are plenty of on-site options for food, snacks, and. One of the coolest features we noticed was a space behind the hotel called The Backyard — a fantastic setup unlike anything else we’ve seen at a hotel.Multiple large firepits are arranged near the forest, interspersed with turfed areas for games such as bocce, croquet, horseshoes, cornhole, axe throwing, and more. There’s even an outdoor bar right in the yard.
Whether you're chasing trophy fish, exploring scenic lakes, or simply looking for a quick getaway, Manitoba offers incredible fishing adventures just outside your door. Whether you’re planning a day trip, an overnight stay, or a longer getaway where you can relax and recharge, there are countless lakes to explore that include hidden gems like the Nite Hawk Cafe and Falcon Lake’s welcoming accommodations. It’s easier than ever to pack up, hit the road, and create unforgettable memories — no matter how long you choose to stay.. So grab your rod, load up the watercraft, and discover just how much fishing adventure lies within reach of Winnipeg.
