text by Brad Fenson map by Robert Biron Have It All (part 5) WHITESHELL PROVINCIAL PARK, Manitoba Rugged beauty: Enjoy glorious sunsets and giant smallies Located directly east of Winnipeg, Manitoba’s Whiteshell Provincial Park lies on the western edge of the Canadian Shield at the border with Ontario. Comprising 2,590-square-kilometres and home to more than 200 lakes and rivers, this region is a huge draw for the vacationing family. But don’t let the rugged beauty fool you. The Whiteshell has a soft, playful side, offering world-class golfing, accommodations, beaches and, of course, fishing. Nowhere in the province will you find a wider variety of fishing species and angling opportunities. This region derived its name from a sacred seashell called the megis, through which the area’s Anishinabe people believe that the creator breathed life into humans. Indeed, rare are the visitors to this region who feel they haven’t had a little life breathed into them. THE HOT SPOTS ANGLING ADVICE 32 Big Whiteshell Lake: Northern pike, perch, walleye 33 Crowduck Lake: Northern pike, perch, smallmouth bass, walleye, whitefish 34 Falcon Lake: Northern pike, smallmouth bass, walleye, whitefish 35 George Lake: Lake trout, northern pike, perch, smallmouth bass, whitefish 36 Lac du Bonnet: Lake sturgeon, northern pike, perch, smallmouth and white bass, walleye, whitefish 37 Star Lake: Black crappie, northern pike, perch, smallmouth bass, walleye 38 West Hawk Lake: Brook, brown, lake and rainbow trout, burbot, northern pike, perch, whitefish 39 Winnipeg River (below Pine Falls): Channel catfish, lake sturgeon, northern pike, perch, smallmouth and white bass, walleye, whitefish GETTING THERE Whiteshell Provincial Park is a one-hour drive east of Winnipeg, just north of the Trans-Canada Highway (TCH) on Highway 44. (Falcon and West Hawk Lakes are also off the Trans-Canada). • Bert Kunz Guide Service, (204) 367-8908 • Bird River Outfitters, (204) 345-2820 • B. Karklin Outfitter & Guide Service, (204) 345-8502 • Blue Waters Guide Service, (204) 367-2105 • George Lake Outfitters, (204) 884-2121 • Rene’s Guiding Service, (204) 367-8064 • The Greenback Hunter, (204) 955-6683 BEYOND FISHING • Golfing: Falcon Lake Golf Course, (204) 349-2297 • Mini-putting: Falcon Lake Miniature Golf Course, (204) 349-2554 • Horseback riding: Falcon Beach Riding Stables, (204) 349-2410 • Mountain biking: Betula Lake Mountain Bike Trail, 1-800-214-6497 • Museums: Whiteshell Natural History Museum, (204) 348-2846 • Self-guided hiking: Falcon and West Hawk Lakes, 1-800-214-6497 • Swimming: Falcon Beach, (204) 349-3134 • Video gaming: Tiki on the Waterfront Arcade, (204) 349-3190 • Waterskiing: Betula Lake Ski Club, (204) 757-2658 GOINGS ON • Winnipeg International Children’s Festival: June 5 to 8, (204) 958-4730 • Winnipeg Folk Festival: July 10 to 13, (204) 231-0096 • Folklorama (Winnipeg) August 3 to 16, (204) 982-6210 LEARN MORE • Manitoba Conservation, Parks and Natural Areas, 1-800-214-6497; • Travel Manitoba (Falcon Beach), (204) 349-2212; 1 - HAINES JUNCTION, Yukon Territory 2 - BAMFIELD, B.C. 3 - KANANASKIS COUNTRY, Alberta 4 - LAST MOUNTAIN LAKE, Saskatchewan 5 - WHITESHELL PROVINCIAL PARK, Manitoba 6 - THUNDER BAY, Ontario 7 - LAKE NIPISSING, Ontario 8 - PAPINEAU REGION, Quebec 9 - ANNE'S LAND, P.E.I. 10 - WESTERN NEWFOUNDLAND