Manitoba · Canada
North Knife Lake
North Knife Lake is a remote fly-in trophy fishery in far northern Manitoba, reached by air from Winnipeg. Its cold, clear waters produce walleye, northern pike, lake trout, brook trout, arctic grayling, and whitefish. The lake is fished almost exclusively through North Knife Lake Lodge, which practices catch-and-release on trophy fish.
- Region
- Manitoba, Canada
- Regulation zone
- Northeast Division (approximate — see note)
Species in North Knife Lake
Tap a species for Bump Board's full tactics guide.
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 |
| Brook Trout (except in stocked trout waters) | Open year-round (all divisions; waterbody-specific closures apply) | 1 | None may exceed 45 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 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
- Walleye — minimum 71 cm (28 in)
- Northern Pike — minimum 104 cm (41 in)
- Lake Trout — minimum 89 cm (35 in)
- Brook Trout — minimum 51 cm (20 in)
- Arctic Grayling — minimum 46 cm (18 in)
- Lake Whitefish — minimum 56 cm (22 in)
From the Manitoba Master Angler Program (Travel Manitoba).
More Manitoba lakes
Species & regulations: 2026 Manitoba Anglers' Guide, via the Bump Board dataset.