Manitoba’s fisheries play a crucial role in sustaining our natural environment through supporting recreational angling, and commercial operations. This page provides access to comprehensive fisheries data, current and historical reports, and fisheries management strategies. These resources reflect our commitment to the long-term sustainability of Manitoba’s aquatic ecosystems. Whether you're an angler, researcher, or policymaker, the information here supports efforts to maintain healthy fish populations and preserve the beauty of our waterways for future generations.
The publication of this data or its use in whole or in part in any published work, is subject to the prior permission of Manitoba’s Fisheries Branch. Please contact fish@gov.mb.ca to request permission to utilize this data for published work.
Lake Winnipegosis has been commercially fished since the late 1890s. Manitoba Natural Resources and Indigenous Futures, as well as local Indigenous communities through the Collaborative Stock Monitoring Program, conduct annual index gill net surveys to assess the status of the Walleye stock, along with other species in Lake Winnipegosis. The Department is committed to improving fish stocks on Lake Winnipegosis to sustainable levels. For more information on Lake Winnipegosis, please review the reports below.
Lake Manitoba has been a commercial fishery since 1895 and has a long history as a mixed-use fishery, supporting commercial harvest, recreational fishing and subsistence fishing. Manitoba Natural Resources and Indigenous Futures conducts an annual index netting program to assess the status of fish populations in Lake Manitoba, and has been in its current form since 2009. The Department is committed to improving fish stocks on Lake Manitoba to sustainable levels. For more information on Lake Manitoba fish stocks, please review the reports below.
Index Netting Data
Index netting data is collected on Lake Manitoba annually. Fishery-independent index netting data is utilized to assess the state of the Lake Manitoba multi-use fishery and informs government decision making on the management of this fishery. As with many long-term datasets, there have been changes in collection methodology and analyses over time. Raw data from 2009 is available in Excel format below. Some data may not be available for certain sample sites as they were not assessable due to low water levels in some years. Researchers are advised to contact department staff for methodological background prior to data analysis or to seek permission to use this data in publications by emailing fish@gov.mb.ca.
Index Netting Data
Since 1979, annual index netting has been undertaken on Lake Winnipeg. Fishery-independent index netting data is utilized to assess the state of the Lake Winnipeg multi-use fishery and informs government decision making on the management of this fishery. As with many long-term datasets, there have been changes in collection methodology and analyses over time, including changes in the method of fish age determination, the composition and length of index net gangs, and the location of index netting sites. These are important considerations for any analysis of index netting data. In order to avoid erroneous interpretation of the data in the absence of important methodological background, researchers are advised to contact Department staff directly prior to analysis or to seek permission to use this data in publications by emailing fish@gov.mb.ca.
Assessment Reports
Dauphin Lake is located in west central Manitoba and drains into Lake Winnipegosis through the Mossy River and plays a critical role in the ecology and economy of the surrounding rural communities. For additional details and data pertaining to the fisheries science and management actions at Dauphin Lake, refer to the following reports.
Manitoba had the first eco-certified freshwater fishery in North America and only the second in the world. Waterhen Lake was eco-certified in 2014 and was recertified in 2020. For more information on Waterhen Lake click on the link below.
- Public Certification Report
- MSC Fishery Certificate
- Summary Report
- MSC Certification Media Release
- Management Plan
- Eco-Certification Action Plan & Matrix
- 1st Annual Waterhen Eco Certification Audit Report 2015
- 2nd Annual Waterhen Eco Certification Audit Report 2016
- 3rd Annual Waterhen Eco Certification Audit Report 2017
- Waterhen - Stock Assessment of Walleye in Waterhen Lake
- Waterhen - Stock Assessment of commercially Harvesting Northern Pike
- Creel Census of Winnipegosis, Waterhen,Manitoba & Dauphin Lakes 1977-78
- Summary of Mercury in fish from Manitoba water 1971
- Little Waterhen River - Fish movement and Walleye Tagging 1971-72
Cedar Lake Fisheries Inc. and Chemawawin Cree Nation have initiated a process to have the Cedar Lake Fishery considered for International Industry Certification to achieve a scientific measure of sustainable fishing. This process will assess three main principles: sustainable fish stocks, minimizing environmental impact and effective fisheries management. This science-based Fisheries Standard will ensure the long term sustainability of the fishery for the people who depend on Cedar Lake. This shared management approach requires a collaborative process which includes all resource users that have an interest in the long-term sustainability of the fishery. For more information on Cedar lake click on the link below.
Crowduck Lake is a popular walleye and smallmouth bass fishery destination for anglers and commercial fishers since the late 19th century. Crowduck Lake is located in Whiteshell Provincial Park, Manitoba. For additional details and data pertaining to the fisheries science and management actions at Crowduck Lake, refer to the following reports.
Oak Lake is a large recreationally fished lake in the southwestern portion of Manitoba, southwest of the community of Oak Lake. For additional details and data pertaining to the fisheries science and management actions at Oak Lake, refer to the following reports.
Lake of the Prairies is a large recreational fishing destination in the western region of Manitoba. The lake is part of the Assiniboine River system originating in Manitoba and passing over the Shellmouth Dam. Reports coming soon.
Lake sturgeon are known to be present as far upstream the Assiniboine River as Shellmouth Dam and are also known to occur in the Qu’Appelle River and Little Saskatchewan River as far upstream as Rivers Dam. For additional details and data pertaining to the fisheries science and management actions at the Assiniboine River, refer to the following report.
