WINNIPEG, MANITOBA
Winnipeg
wouldn’t exist if it weren’t for its rivers. For
thousands of years, aboriginal peoples camped at the confluence
of the Red and Assiniboine, and traders from the Hudson’s
Bay Company used the two rivers as strategic thoroughfares for
moving furs and supplies. Nowadays, the city’s lazy waterways
are used mainly for recreation—boating, water skiing and,
of course, fishing. The riverbanks are cool and shady, and bicycle
paths and water taxis make it easy for urban anglers to get
from one spot to another.
Doug Allen, a seasoned water taxi skipper, has seen hundreds
of fish taken by shore anglers. “This is a great fishery
for old-timers, kids and city people who can’t afford
to get out in the wilderness,” says Allen. “All
you need is an old Zebco and a bag of bait and you’re
in business.” Between them, Winnipeg’s two rivers
support about 50 fish species, making the local fishery one
of the most diverse and productive in Canada. In fact, there’s
probably no better place in North America to catch a channel
catfish of 30 pounds or so. Here are the best of the local spots.
 |
| Running
the rivers: Anglers await a hit near Spirit Point
in Winnipeg. |
| FISHING
FACT |
| Carp
can be found throughout the city, but the real hot
spots tend to be where people are feeding bread
to loitering ducks. That’s because the carp
will gather to suck back an errant piece of bread. |
| ANGLER
ATTRACTION |
| On
the banks of the Red, the authentically retro Bridge
Drive-In—or BDI to the locals—is the
best place in the city for a parched angler to belly
up to the window and order a strawberry shake or
a chocolate dip cone. Contact: (204) 475-6850. |
|
21 Kildonan Park
The park dock is one of the best channel catfish spots in the
city. Mooneye, walleye and carp also put in an appearance. Fish
fresh prawns, nightcrawlers or chunks of fresh goldeye on a
slip-sinker rig.
22 Provencher Dock
This is a good mixed-bag fishery (catfish, carp, sauger and
drum) all summer. Use jumbo prawns on a slip-sinker rig and
heavy tackle, as there’s an excellent chance of hooking
a cat.
23 Spirit Point
At the forks of the Red and Assiniboine, freshwater drum weighing
up to three pounds will keep kids busy from spring to fall.
Use nightcrawlers or cocktail shrimp for bait.
24 The Legislature
The bank of the Assiniboine near the statue of Louis Riel is
a good bet for walleye and sauger. Use salted minnows, and hit
the high-water season in June.
25 Crescent Park
The park offers good shore fishing for catfish and one of the
few places in Winnipeg to launch a boat (late summer’s
low water is best). Cats can be had June to September; simply
suspend a fresh piece of goldeye beneath a bobber. |
