Manitoba · Canada
Waterhen Lake
Waterhen Lake lies just east of Lake Winnipegosis in Manitoba's western Interlake, draining to Lake Manitoba through the Waterhen River. Its Indigenous-owned commercial fishery was the first freshwater fishery in the Western Hemisphere to earn Marine Stewardship Council certification, built on walleye and northern pike. Recreational anglers work the lake and the fast, fertile Waterhen River, which is renowned for trophy walleye and freshwater drum.
- Region
- Manitoba, Canada
- Nearest community
- Waterhen
- Regulation zone
- Southern Division (approximate — see note)
Species in Waterhen Lake
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Also stocked
Seasons & limits — Southern 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 |
No waterbody-specific rules listed — general Southern 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 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.