Manitoba · Canada
Big Sand Lake
A remote fly-in lake in the Seal River system of far northern Manitoba, 550 miles north of Winnipeg. Big Sand Lake Lodge - the only lodge on the lake's roughly 60,000 acres of water - offers the Canadian Grand Slam: northern pike, lake trout, walleye and arctic grayling, all strict catch-and-release.
- Region
- Manitoba, Canada
- Size
- ~243 km2 (~60,000 acres)
- Regulation zone
- Northeast Division (approximate — see note)
Species in Big Sand Lake
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Also stocked
Seasons & limits — Northeast Division (approximate — see note)
| Species | Season | Limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye (Pickerel) & Sauger (either or combined) | Southern Division: closed April 6, 2026 to May 8, 2026; open May 9, 2026 to April 4, 2027. Northwest Division: closed May 1 to May 15, 2026; open May 16, 2026 to April 30, 2027. North Central Division: closed May 1 to May 15, 2026; open May 16, 2026 to April 30, 2027. Northeast Division: generally open all year (waterbody-specific closures apply). Lake Winnipeg: walleye/sauger closed April 6 to May 15, 2026. | 4 | None may exceed 55 cm |
| Northern Pike (Jackfish) | Open year-round (all divisions; waterbody-specific closures apply) | 4 | None may exceed 75 cm |
| Lake Trout | Southern Division: closed September 15 to October 31, 2026; open November 1, 2026 to September 14, 2027. New 2026 rule: Area A (eastern Manitoba) — all lake trout over 55 cm must be released. Northwest/North Central: generally open year-round per general limits (check waterbody-specific closures). | 1 | None may exceed 65 cm |
| Arctic Grayling | Open year-round (all divisions; waterbody-specific closures apply) | 3 | None may exceed 40 cm |
| Stocked Brook, Brown & Rainbow Trout, Splake & Trout Hybrids, & Arctic Char (in stocked trout waters) | Open year-round (all divisions; waterbody-specific closures apply) | 3 | Only one may exceed 45 cm; none may exceed 60 cm |
No waterbody-specific rules listed — general Northeast Division limits apply.
Always confirm regulations with the official provincial guide before fishing — rules change, and waterbody-specific exceptions apply.
Manitoba Master Angler qualifying sizes
- Northern Pike — minimum 104 cm (41 in)
- Lake Trout — minimum 89 cm (35 in)
- Walleye — minimum 71 cm (28 in)
- Arctic Grayling — minimum 46 cm (18 in)
- Lake Trout — minimum 89 cm (35 in)
- Rainbow Trout — minimum 51 cm (20 in)
From the Manitoba Master Angler Program (Travel Manitoba).
More Manitoba lakes
Species & regulations: 2026 Manitoba Anglers' Guide, via the Bump Board dataset.