Manitoba · Canada
Lake Winnipeg
The 10th largest freshwater lake in the world, Lake Winnipeg is a shallow prairie lake (mean depth only 12 m) split into distinct north and south basins. It supports Manitoba's most famous walleye fishery - the iridescent greenback walleye - plus a major commercial fishery where walleye is the most important species. More than 50 fish species live in the lake.
- Region
- Manitoba, Canada
- Nearest community
- Gimli
- Size
- 24,387 km2
- Depth
- 36 m
- Regulation zone
- Southern Division
Species in Lake Winnipeg
Walleye
Sauger
Northern Pike
Yellow Perch
Burbot
Lake Whitefish
Cisco (Tullibee)
Freshwater Drum
Goldeye
Channel Catfish
Lake Sturgeon
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Also stocked
Seasons & limits — Southern Division
| 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 |
| Channel Catfish | Open year-round (all divisions; waterbody-specific closures apply) | 4 | None may exceed 60 cm |
| Yellow Perch | Open year-round (all divisions; waterbody-specific closures apply) | 25 | No size restriction (provincially) |
| Lake Sturgeon | Southern Division: closed May 1 to June 15; open June 16 to April 30. Northwest and North Central Divisions: closed May 1 to June 30; open July 1 to April 30. Conservation closures on the Winnipeg River and Nelson River systems remain in place. | 0 | N/A (zero limit) |
| Burbot | Open year-round (all divisions; waterbody-specific closures apply) | 6 | None may exceed 70 cm |
| Freshwater Drum | Open year-round (all divisions; waterbody-specific closures apply) | 10 | None may exceed 60 cm |
| Goldeye & Mooneye (either or combined) | Open year-round (all divisions; waterbody-specific closures apply) | 10 | No size restriction (provincially) |
| Lake Whitefish | Open year-round (all divisions; waterbody-specific closures apply) | 10 | No size restriction (provincially) |
Always confirm regulations with the official provincial guide before fishing — rules change, and waterbody-specific exceptions apply.
Waterbody-specific rules
- Walleye/sauger season closed Apr 6 to May 15. All walleye and sauger shorter than 35 cm must be released (includes tributaries up to the first impassable barrier).
Manitoba Master Angler qualifying sizes
- Walleye — minimum 71 cm (28 in)
- Sauger — minimum 46 cm (18 in)
- Northern Pike — minimum 104 cm (41 in)
- Yellow Perch — minimum 33 cm (13 in)
- Burbot — minimum 76 cm (30 in)
- Lake Whitefish — minimum 56 cm (22 in)
- Freshwater Drum — minimum 61 cm (24 in)
- Goldeye — minimum 35.5 cm (14 in)
- Channel Catfish — minimum 89 cm (35 in)
- Lake Sturgeon — minimum 109 cm (43 in)
- Lake Trout — minimum 89 cm (35 in)
- Lake Whitefish — minimum 56 cm (22 in)
- Walleye — minimum 71 cm (28 in)
From the Manitoba Master Angler Program (Travel Manitoba).
More Manitoba lakes
Species & regulations: 2026 Manitoba Anglers' Guide, via the Bump Board dataset.