The Lake Trout Triangle in Northern Manitoba, a Winter Guide to Trophy Lakers
Across Manitoba, winter is renowned for many incredible ice-fishing opportunities. Anglers enjoy stocked trout across the Parkland Region, multispecies action inside Eastern Regions provincial parks, feisty walleye on Lake Manitoba, and the world-class greenbacks that roam Lake Winnipeg and the Red River. Each region offers something unique during the ice season, which is why Manitoba remains one of the most diverse and rewarding winter fishing destinations in Canada.
Yet when it comes specifically to lake trout, there is a northern region that consistently stands above the rest. Anglers often refer to a collection of lakes near The Pas and Cranberry Portage as the Lake Trout Triangle, a set of waterbodies that provide unmatched winter access to trophy lakers, remote settings, and some of the most unique trout habitat in the province.
What is the Lake Trout Triangle
The Lake Trout Triangle is made up of three of the most famous lake trout lakes in Manitoba. These include Clearwater Lake near The Pas, Reed Lake close to Snow Lake, and Lake Athapapuskow spanning from Flin Flon to Cranberry Portage. With bonus lakes like Kississing Lake near Sherridon to the north and Second Cranberry Lake near the town of Cranberry Portage, located right in the middle of the triangle, this region forms the core of Manitoba's winter lake trout belt.
These lakes offer powerhouse fisheries, where deep cold water provides ideal habitat for lake trout, and expansive basins with plentiful forage allow fish to grow to gigantic proportions. Together, they routinely account for the majority of Manitoba's Master Angler lake trout entries each year, solidifying the Lake Trout Triangle as the premier winter laker destination in the province.
1. Reed Lake
Where it is
Reed Lake, located along Highway 39, has become a renowned destination for trophy ice fishing for multiple species. Walleye and pike grow to impressive sizes here, but Reed also deserves recognition for its excellent lake trout fishery. The lake sits only 40 minutes from Snow Lake, about 80 minutes from The Pas, and approximately six and a half hours from Winnipeg's north perimeter, making this northern fishery surprisingly accessible for winter anglers.
Why it is special
Reed Lake stands apart from many northern lakes because of its size and the way water moves through it. This 200-kilometre-square lake lies near the headwaters of the Grass River, with water flowing in from the west and out through the northeast. The inflow acts like a conveyor belt for forage, which creates a variety of lake trout patterns. Anglers can chase roaming fish across deep structure or work shallower areas where bait fish stack around moving water, and both options routinely produce trophy results.
How to fish it
Reed Lake offers a mix of classic winter lake trout tactics and unique location-based opportunities. Deep structure, troughs, and steep breaks are reliable starting points since they form natural travel lanes for lake trout as they feed. Many anglers also explore areas closer to the inflow where bait fish gather, and the entire food chain follows. However, caution is essential around any flowing current during the winter season.
Typical Laker gear remains very effective here. Mixing spoons, rattle baits, and tube jigs allows anglers to experiment with what trout are responding to on a given day. A second line with bait, such as tullibee or chopped sucker, can draw fish into the area and provide a subtle alternative when trout are not aggressively chasing. If you notice fish sliding through without committing, try a jig or drop shot rig with bait and position it near your chum to tempt more neutral fish close to the bottom.
Where to stay
Wekusko Falls Lodge near the town of Snow Lake sits along the scenic Wekusko Falls, with cabins overlooking the beautiful rapids and offering all the comforts of home. This location makes an ideal base for anglers targeting Reed Lake and the surrounding winter fisheries. Wekusko also provides guided lake trout trips that take the guesswork out of locating fish and help maximize your time on the ice. Contact Wekusko Falls Lodge through their website for available dates and guided laker adventures on Reed Lake.
2. Lake Athapapuskow
Where it is
Lake Athapapuskow is a massive 270-square-kilometre waterbody stretching from Cranberry Portage to near the town of Flin Flon, located about 7 hours north of Winnipeg’s North Perimeter. This places anglers in rugged northern lake trout country while still being fully drive-to accessible.
Why it is famous
Athapapuskow has become one of the most renowned drive-to lake trout lakes in North America and continues to produce massive 40-inch-plus lakers year after year. Its deep structure, enormous basins, and cold water habitat are ideal for growing trophy fish, and the forage base here is exceptional. Cisco populations are abundant, and the combination of deep water and expansive underwater structure creates near-perfect lake trout habitat across much of the lake. A quick look at the Manitoba Master Angler record books confirms the quality found here, with giant fish reported every winter and a long history of trophy potential.
How to fish it
For Lake Athapapuskow, many anglers take a two-pronged approach to target large winter lake trout. An active line is worked with spoons, rattle baits, and tube jigs to trigger aggressive fish, while a second line is reserved for a set bait such as a larger cisco placed on the bottom. Many anglers pair this with an iFish Pro-style tip-up system, which provides a clean flag indicator while still allowing the fish to be fought on a rod rather than a traditional tip-up line.
If active presentations are not drawing fish or you are not seeing trout chase vertically in the water column, try switching to a jig or drop shot presentation tipped with sucker or cisco. These subtle set-ups can tempt neutral fish that hold tight to the bottom or move slowly through deep basins.
Where to stay
Baker's Narrows Lodge and Viking Lodge both offer accommodations and guiding with direct access to trophy zones on Lake Athapapuskow. Baker's Narrows Lodge offers cozy cabins and a variety of plans, including fully guided packages, meal service, equipment rental, and even transportation onto the ice, so anglers can choose the exact style of trip they want.
Viking Lodge is located on the historic grounds of the fur trade in Cranberry Portage, where trappers once crossed between Athapapuskow and the headwaters of the Grass River. Today, guests can follow that same route and travel directly from Cranberry Lake to the east shores of Athapapuskow. Viking offers cabin rentals and guided lake trout trips that take the guesswork out of exploring this massive body of water.
To contact Bakers Narrows Lodge or Viking Lodge to secure lake trout dates and guided options, visit their websites at the embedded links.
3. Clearwater Lake
Where it is
Just north of The Pas, Manitoba, Clearwater Lake sits within Clearwater Lake Provincial Park. This massive 280-square-kilometre lake has become synonymous with lake trout fishing in Manitoba and was one of the first waterbodies to truly popularize the modern trend of hardcore ice anglers targeting northern lakers.
Why it is special
Clearwater Lake is one of only three true-blue lakes in the world, making it one of the clearest in the country. Visibility in the water can exceed 30 feet down, leading to memorable sight-fishing moments beneath the ice. More commonly, this clarity creates excellent conditions for underwater cameras. Even in water deeper than 70 feet, cameras remain useful tools for seeing how fish react to your presentation.
Clearwater holds a cold, deep habitat with high oxygen levels, which keeps lake trout active throughout winter. While the absolute giants exceeding 45 inches are more commonly associated with Lake Athapapuskow, Clearwater remains one of the best lakes in the triangle for consistently producing Master Angler-sized lakers.
How to fish it on ice
In winter, lake trout commonly suspend over deeper structure, which makes sonar and camera work especially effective. Jigging tubes, spoons, and rattle baits are reliable producers, and as winter progresses, trout often slide slightly deeper but remain catchable through the core of the season.
Clearwater is filled with impressive structures, some of which can even be seen on satellite imagery due to the lake's clarity. For a more detailed look, Anglers Edge Mapping offers depth contour maps that eliminate the guesswork when breaking down this big water. Presentations are similar to the other Triangle lakes, with an active rod cycling through multiple lures, paired with a larger dead bait on a set line and small chopped chum to draw fish into your area.
Where to stay
Evergreen Lodge and Resort and Rocky Lake Resort both provide comfortable winter accommodations close to Clearwater Lake and The Pas. Evergreen is located directly on Clearwater Lake, making it an easy launch point for anglers. At the same time, Rocky Lake Resort sits just across the highway with access to Clearwater via a groomed snowmobile trail for those looking for extra adventure. Both options offer ideal bases for multi-day ice-fishing trips, with warm places to regroup between outings.
Contact Evergreen Lodge and Resort or Rocky Lake Resort through their websites to plan your northern lake trout adventure in the Northern Region.
Bonus Lake #1: Kississing Lake
Where it is
Kississing Lake is a remote lake in northwestern Manitoba, located near the community of Sherridon. The town is reached by travelling about 80 kilometres down Highway 800 off Highway 10 between Cranberry Portage and Flin Flon, and is just over eight hours from Winnipeg's north perimeter. Although Kississing sits just north of the core Lake Trout Triangle lakes, it is no slouch when it comes to producing super-sized winter lake trout and easily belongs in the conversation of top-tier winter trout destinations.
Why it is special
Kississing Lake is a massive 370-square-kilometre waterbody that offers seemingly endless ice to explore. Rather than being one large basin, the lake is made up of sprawling arms, bays, and interconnected channels, dotted with islands and packed with underwater structure. This variety creates ideal habitat for big lake trout and allows anglers to fish countless spots without repeating water on multi-day trips.
The trout themselves are part of the attraction. Kississing’s lakers often display vibrant orange fins and stunning markings, making every catch a memorable sight. Beyond lake trout, the lake also supports exceptional numbers of trophy northern pike, chunky northern walleye, and perhaps some of the largest burbot in Manitoba, giving winter anglers a legitimate multispecies northern experience.
How to fish it
When targeting lakers on Kississing, anglers often look for deep structure or troughs between major structure features. The 50- to 100-foot range can be the most productive, especially when baitfish are present. Trying different depths is common in such a large system, since lake trout can roam widely and often suspend at different depths throughout the day.
A variety of lake trout presentations are effective here. Spoons, rattle baits, and tube jigs are staples, and rotating sizes or colours helps dial in what fish are responding to on a given day. Kississing trout can be aggressive feeders and are known to chase lures vertically through the water column, so regularly lifting and lowering your presentation can trigger fish that are cruising mid-depth.
Who to book with:
Sharron's Outfitting: Offers comfortable cabin rentals with light housekeeping, located right along the shoreline. Winter anglers benefit from direct access to main travel routes on the ice, heated accommodations, and a convenient launch point for exploring the lake's many arms and basins. Sharron’s also provides ice fishing support and local knowledge that helps shorten the learning curve on a massive system like Kississing. To book your stay, visit their website and contact them for dates and availability.
Kenanow Lodge: Offers fully outfitted lakefront cabins that provide a perfect home base for winter ice fishing on Kississing. Guests can launch directly onto the lake or explore different areas by snowmobile, and the lodge can also offer guided ice fishing during peak winter periods. Many anglers use Kenanow as a base for multi-day winter lake trout trips that cover new water each day. To plan your trip, visit the Kenanow Lodge website and reach out to get started on your Kississing adventure.
Bonus Lake #2: Cranberry Chain of Lakes
Where it is
Situated right in the center of the region, the Cranberry Chain offers a convenient winter lake trout bonus stop for anglers already exploring Manitobas Lake Trout Triangle. Second Cranberry sits just north of Cranberry Portage with direct winter access through Viking Lodge, placing anglers in the heart of prime lake trout country and perfectly positioned for a multi-lake trip.
Why it is special in winter
Second Cranberry Lake has become a quietly reliable winter lake trout fishery with excellent mid-season action, stable cold water habitat, and classic northern structure. It often flies under the radar compared to Athapap and Clearwater, yet it produces quality fish with an impressively strong average size. Many lakers fall in the 30 to 33-inch class, with countless 35-inch-plus trophy fish reported each season. This consistency makes Second Cranberry a natural and extremely rewarding extension to any Lake Trout Triangle itinerary.
How to fish it
Expect classic winter lake trout patterns. Jig tubes and spoons on steep breaks, work suspended fish over deeper basins, and set dead sticks on points or saddles using ciscos. Mobility and sonar are valuable here because lake trout tend to roam mid water, especially during mid winter.
Second Cranberry Lake also has productive shallower feeding flats in the 50-foot range, where cruising trout slide through mud-based areas in search of bait. These can be excellent for active approaches when fish are on the move. The deeper water sections, typically 60 feet and beyond, are best targeted near structure where trout hold tighter and move along natural travel corridors. This mix of structure and basin water makes the Cranberry Chain a very well-balanced winter trout destination.
Where to stay
Viking Lodge, situated on First Cranberry Lake, with only a short snowmobile ride separating anglers from Second Cranberry. This convenient access puts lake trout water just minutes from the cabins. Also, it gives guests the option to reach Athapapuskow on the same trip, making it one of the few northern bases where anglers can reasonably fish multiple Triangle lakes in a single winter adventure.
Viking offers guiding services, comfortable accommodations, and a long list of amenities to support winter anglers. To learn more about Viking Lodge, explore their services, and book your lake trout adventure, visit their website and secure your dates.
Planning your trip, timing, logistics, and winter seasonality
Lake trout can be targeted all winter long in northern Manitoba, which gives anglers a high degree of flexibility when planning a trip. Safe ice generally extends from early December through late April, depending on yearly conditions. Some outfitters, including Bakers Narrows Lodge, often see excellent early-season action. Still, every lake in the Triangle is capable of producing trophy-sized lakers from ice in to ice out.
When it comes to logistics, preparation is key. Although most travel between Winnipeg and northern lodges is on paved highways, winter conditions in the north can be unpredictable. Travelling in groups when possible, carrying emergency supplies, and checking weather and road reports before departure are all smart steps.
Travelling across the lakes brings its own set of considerations. Frozen lakes can be hard on equipment. Snow drifts, rough ice, and slush pockets can take a toll on machines and gear. Bringing multiple heaters or spare augers provides a backup plan if something fails, and heading out in groups is always a smart choice in case of mechanical issues or sudden weather changes.
If this is your first time heading to the north for lake trout, hiring a fishing guide can be one of the best investments you can make. Guides help ensure safety on the ice, teach proven lake trout strategies, and give you the confidence and knowledge to return on your own future adventures.
Master Angler stats
Clearwater Lake, Reed Lake, Lake Athapapuskow, Kississing Lake, and Second Cranberry Lake have become synonymous with Master Angler lake trout. Over the last eight years, about 85 percent of the nearly 2,400 lake trout entries into the Manitoba Master Angler Program have come from these five lakes, with Clearwater Lake leading the way at more than 1,300 entries.
Lake Athapapuskow has produced an especially impressive number of giants, with 18 Master Angler lake trout measuring over 44 inches, including a remarkable fish that reached 46 inches.
Entries like these are what have put Manitoba's Lake Trout Triangle on the map and continue to bring ice anglers from all across North America and beyond, all searching for their chance to catch a monster and be part of the history of this unique fishery. To enter your next trophy catch into the Manitoba Master Angler Program, click here.
Plan your Northern Lake Trout Adventure
From the legendary clear waters of Clearwater Lake, to the deep, iconic basins of Lake Athapapuskow, to the multispecies trophy potential on Reed Lake, and finally to bonus destinations like Kississing and the Cranberry Chain, Manitoba's Lake Trout Triangle stands as one of the most remarkable winter lake trout regions anywhere in North America. Each waterbody brings its own unique mix of habitat, structure, and trophy potential, and all of them offer real opportunities at Master Angler fish each winter.
Planning your trip north is part of the excitement. The region offers fully serviced lodges, cozy cabin rentals, and expert guides ready to help visitors navigate big water and stay safe in remote winter environments. Whether you want a complete guided experience or a do-it-yourself trip built on local knowledge, there is an option that fits every style of angler.
The numbers also speak for themselves. Nearly 85 percent of Manitoba's Master Angler lake trout since 2018 have come from these lakes. Trophy fish are not just possible here, they are expected. If you are searching for big winter lake trout, northern Manitoba is the place to focus your efforts.
The Lake Trout Triangle remains one of the most exciting, scenic, and rewarding winter ice destinations in Canada. If you have been dreaming about a trip north, now is the time to start planning, reach out to the operators listed above, learn more about their services, and begin your northern lake trout adventure.
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