Fishing in Riding Mountain National Park

Riding Mountain sits atop the Manitoba Escarpment, a forested plateau rising sharply above the surrounding prairie.

The park holds more than 1,900 lakes, 650 streams, and extensive wetlands — water in nearly every form, from large open lakes to small escarpment streams tucked into the backcountry. Clear Lake is the park's most fished water.

Walleye are the main draw, and Northern Pike are present as well.

Smallmouth Bass have also established themselves in Clear Lake, but they are not native — park regulations require anglers to kill and keep every Smallmouth Bass caught rather than release them, and catches should be reported to Parks Canada.

Motorized boats are permitted on Clear Lake on a limited schedule; check current rules before launching.

The surrounding backcountry lakes — Lake Audy, Moon Lake, and Whirlpool Lake among them — are known for Northern Pike, and only non-motorized watercraft are allowed on those waters. The streams along the escarpment draw fly anglers after Brook Trout.

The park's regulations are specific about gear: all hooks must be barbless or have barbs pinched to the shaft, lead tackle under 50 grams is prohibited, and live or dead bait — including leeches and fish parts — cannot be used or possessed within 100 metres of park waters.

One line, one angler, no unattended rods. A Riding Mountain National Park fishing permit is required to fish here — separate from any provincial licence. Parks Canada issues these permits; check with them for current fees and availability before you go.

The backcountry streams and smaller lakes reward the angler willing to walk in. The fishing is quieter there, the access is on foot, and the water tends to be less pressured than Clear Lake on a summer weekend.

That's where the park's size starts to work in your favour.