Manitoba · Canada
Lake Athapapuskow
A Canadian Shield lake near Flin Flon made of three connected basins - Big Athapap, Little Athapap and the North Arm - with depths ranging from shallow flats to basins over 200 feet. It is a trophy multi-species fishery famous for lake trout, with three historical world records including a 62 lb laker. Walleye, northern pike, rainbow trout, splake and smallmouth bass round out the fishery.
- Region
- Manitoba, Canada
- Nearest community
- Flin Flon
- Size
- 267 km2 (Manitoba portion)
- Regulation zone
- Northwest Division (approximate — see note)
Species in Lake Athapapuskow
Walleye
Yellow Perch
Northern Pike
Lake Trout
Lake Whitefish
Burbot
Rainbow Trout
White Sucker
Cisco (Tullibee)
Splake
Smallmouth Bass
Tap a species for Bump Board's full tactics guide.
Also stocked
Seasons & limits — Northwest 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 |
| Smallmouth Bass | Open year-round (all divisions; waterbody-specific closures apply) | 4 | None may exceed 45 cm |
| Yellow Perch | Open year-round (all divisions; waterbody-specific closures apply) | 25 | No size restriction (provincially) |
| Burbot | Open year-round (all divisions; waterbody-specific closures apply) | 6 | None may exceed 70 cm |
| Lake Whitefish | Open year-round (all divisions; waterbody-specific closures apply) | 10 | No size restriction (provincially) |
| 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 Northwest 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
- Walleye — minimum 71 cm (28 in)
- Yellow Perch — minimum 33 cm (13 in)
- Northern Pike — minimum 104 cm (41 in)
- Lake Trout — minimum 89 cm (35 in)
- Lake Whitefish — minimum 56 cm (22 in)
- Burbot — minimum 76 cm (30 in)
- Rainbow Trout — minimum 51 cm (20 in)
- Splake — minimum 51 cm (20 in)
- Smallmouth Bass — minimum 46 cm (18 in)
- Lake Trout — minimum 89 cm (35 in)
- Rainbow Trout — minimum 51 cm (20 in)
- Smallmouth Bass — minimum 46 cm (18 in)
- Splake — 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.