Multi-Species Ice Fishing in The Heart of Canada - Hunt Fish Manitoba

Northern Pike

The Northern pike is the ultimate predator that resides in Manitoba waters. They are famed for their aggression towards lures and the enormous proportions they can grow to.

Home to 50-inch giants, Manitoba is known as one of the most desired northern pike fishing destinations worldwide. “King of the North” is a familiar title that arguably labels Manitoba’s most popular sport fish, whose annual audience consists of thousands of ardent anglers that pursue this aggressive predator. The chance to hook one of these monsters is an alluring occasion that will ultimately test your patience, skill and your steel leader.

Big northerns are commonly caught through the ice throughout Manitoba, from Lake of the Prairies, Lake of the Woods, Whiteshell Provincial Park, and Lake Winnipeg, to the legendary fisheries of the far north. This vast landscape offers countless opportunities for the trophy pike enthusiast, with various fisheries consistently producing 50-inch-plus specimens. Welcome to the big leagues!

Angling opportunities for northern pike are popular all winter long from Late December to the End of April. They are commonly caught through the ice with a tip-up and dead bait, often cisco, presentation. Trophy anglers use these large dead baits to weed out the smaller ones and better their odds at a Master Angler catch. Get the all-time Northern Pike records from our Master Angler records database

Some amazing fly-in Fishing Lodges for Monster Northern Pike include:

For more information on angling season dates, regulations, and more – Check out the current 2023 Manitoba Angler’s Guide.

Walleye

Recognized as Manitoba’s official provincial fish, the walleye is the most sought-after species within our provincial boundaries each winter. Actively pursued for its unrivalled eating qualities, the walleye is equally favoured for its potential size, presence in numbers and consistent action. Home to many of the top-producing walleye fisheries in North America, Manitoba is a preferred destination for thousands of die-hard walleye anglers visiting our province annually.

Giant walleyes are the norm to many Manitoba ice-fishing lodges and outfitters, whether you choose to fish for the golden shield walleyes in the Northern and Eastern reaches of the province, the stunning and famed greenback walleyes that call the massive Lake Winnipeg and its tributaries home, or the prairie gold walleyes scattered across the many lakes in the southern portions of the province. Manitoba produces hundreds of fish exceeding 28 inches that are caught and released every season on the ice!

Angling opportunities for walleye are available all winter long with various ice-fishing operators. Popular methods used to catch walleye include a lipless crankbait, standard jig and minnow or jig and a swimbait presentation, Jigging Raps and jigging spoons. Get the Manitoba all-time walleye records from our Master Angler records database.

Some amazing Ice Fishing Lodges and outfitters for fast-paced trophy walleye fishing include:

For more information on angling season dates, regulations, and more – Check out the current 2023 Manitoba Angler’s Guide.

Lake Trout

“Land of the Giants”, the earned alias of Manitoba’s famed Northern Region, is host to several of Canada’s most coveted lake trout fisheries. These deep-water moguls persuade immeasurable numbers of loyal trout anglers to actively pursue their infinite opportunities and legendary dimensions. Hooking into one of Manitoba’s largest predators through the ice is an experience unlike any other. It’s a demanding occasion that will undoubtedly test the strength of your tackle and your ability to overcome adversity.

Giant lakers are an impressive challenge, with weights that surpass large rocks, speed that rivals a rocket and endurance that would only be matched at a marathon, they offer little weakness to take advantage of and the capability to “end the show” at a moment’s notice. There is nothing small about the lake trout, big hits, big runs and big battles are the norm!

Manitoba’s lake trout have set an example for being one of the most attainable “big game” angling experiences available. Big trout are commonly caught throughout the Northern Region’s legendary drive-to trout waters which include: Lake Athapapuskow, Clearwater Lake, Kississing Lake, Cranberry Lakes, Reed Lake and more! Chances at a 40-inch plus brute through the ice are extremely common in these waterbodies, and the potential to land much bigger is always a possibility!

Angling opportunities at ice-fishing destinations for lake trout are popular during the ice-fishing months of January to April. Anglers will most commonly use white or chartreuse tube jigs, rattle baits, and large dead bait presentations to target these behemoths of the depths. Get the all-time Lake Trout records information from our Master Angler records database.

Some amazing fly-in Fishing Lodges to target these giant lakers include:

For more information on angling season dates, regulations, and more – Check out the current 2023 Manitoba Angler’s Guide.

Stocked Trout

Manitoba is home to some truly world-class stocked trout fisheries. Brook trout, Brown trout, rainbow trout and tiger trout are all commonly caught in the dozens and dozens of stocked lakes scattered across much of the province. Stocked trout can be a formidable opponent on the best of days. These trout are famously notorious for their bulldog battles, spectacular colours and awkward tendency to grow to football dimensions.

When comparing the “best of” stocked trout destinations, Manitoba offers some of the best opportunities on the planet! Venture to the famed Parkland Region, known as the epicentre of stocked trout fishing and target all these species in this scenic landscape, or head north to the specialty stocked waters that complement the other amazing fisheries in the region.

Whether you are looking for a stunning coloured-up brook trout, or a behemoth rainbow, brown or tiger, Manitoba’s stocked fisheries attract hundreds of anglers each winter looking for a unique and hard-fighting angling experience. Common methods of targeting these trout include small spoons and rattle baits, and dead-lining a small hook with trout dough or minnows (where allowed). Angling opportunities for stocked trout are open year-round and are popular during the ice fishing months of December to April. Get the Manitoba all-time stocked Trout records from our Master Angler records database.

Some amazing ice-fishing Fishing Lodges that have these gorgeous brook trout include:

For more information on angling season dates, regulations, and more – Check out the current 2023 Manitoba Angler’s Guide.

Black Crappie

Manitoba’s best-kept secret? For a species that was once an anonymous catch, the crappie has become a mainstream megastar that persuades masses of anglers to pursue its prized potential each winter. And for good reason, when you combine the brawling abilities of a bass, the edible qualities of a walleye and the shocking appearance of an oversized trout, you expose a remarkable panfish that readily offers an unforgettable angling experience.

The secret is out on Manitoba’s celebrity slabs! With favourable fisheries amongst the Eastern and Central Plains Pembina Region, the black crappie has matured into a popular and accessible ice fishing option that yields opportunities at 15-inch plus hawgs throughout the open and hard water seasons!

Angling opportunities for black crappie are popular during the hard water months of December, January and March. Get the Manitoba all-time black crappie records from our Master Angler records database.

Some amazing Ice Fishing Lodges and outfitters that offer this experience include:

For more information on angling season dates, regulations, and more – Check out the current 2023 Manitoba Angler’s Guide.

Yellow Perch

Admired by a myriad of avid anglers, Manitoba’s yellow perch has been considered one of the most valued species and a significant contributor to many memorable maiden angling experiences.

Like its close cousin, the walleye, the perch offers equivalent eating qualities that are only enhanced by their abounding population and generous catchable limits.

Combine their prolific numbers and culinary appeal, add their constant motivation to grow to huge proportions, and you have a winning combination that has fulfilled a need for the rising number of keen “Jumbo” perch anglers that gather in Manitoba every year. And rightly so, catching a jumbo perch that easily exceeds the 14-inch mark is an experience that will make you look twice and allow you to wonder if that brilliantly coloured, awkwardly proportioned fish is actually real.

Jumbo perch inhabit every region in Manitoba and can be successfully caught throughout the calendar year. But for the ultimate experience, gargantuan perch followers have been consistently targeting these excessive giants during the hard water months. Perch through the ice is notably the most productive season to effectively capitalize on these prized examples, with real opportunities at 15-inch plus footballs!

Angling opportunities for jumbo yellow perch are popular during the hard water months of December to April. Get the Manitoba all-time angler records from our Master Angler records

The amazing fly-in Fishing Lodges and Outposts that offer this experience include:

For more information on angling season dates, regulations, and more – Check out the current 2023 Manitoba Angler’s Guide.

Check out our HuntFishMB Ice Fishing Page for more information on Ice fishing in Manitoba.

*Protect Manitoba’s water and resources. Stop aquatic invasive species for more information on how to do your part visit the Manitoba AIS page.