Southern Manitoba

Bower Lake

About this lake

A stocked trout lake in the Turtle Mountains south of Boissevain, Bower Lake is planted with rainbow trout and also holds brown trout. As a designated stocked trout water it is open to fishing year-round. It is a popular family outing lake where a simple bait or spinner setup can produce trout close to shore.

🏆 Trophy catches

The biggest documented fish caught here, from the Manitoba Master Angler record book.

29.75″ Rainbow Trout

Gary Pawluk · May 06, 1995

75.6 cm

29.5″ Rainbow Trout

David LaFrance · May 21, 1993

74.9 cm

29″ Rainbow TroutReleased

Travis Gouldie · April 26, 2009

73.7 cm

Source: Manitoba Master Angler record book (anglers.travelmanitoba.com)

Where it is

📍 Bower Lake · Southern

2026 Manitoba Anglers' Guide

Fishing regulations

Southern Division (best match — confirm in the guide)

Heads up: this lake's division is our best match, not an official assignment. Double check it against the current Anglers' Guide before you fish.

No waterbody-specific rules listed — general Southern Division limits apply.

None of this lake's species have their own row below, so here are the division's general limits instead.

Species	Possession limit	Size restriction	Season
Walleye (Pickerel) & Sauger (either or combined)	4	None may exceed 55 cm	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.
Northern Pike (Jackfish)	4	None may exceed 75 cm	Open year-round (all divisions; waterbody-specific closures apply)
Lake Trout	1	None may exceed 65 cm	Southern Division: closed September 15 to October 31, 2026; open November 1, 2026 to September 14, 2027. New 2026 rule: Area A (eastern Manitoba) — all lake trout over 55 cm must be released. Northwest/North Central: generally open year-round per general limits (check waterbody-specific closures).
Channel Catfish	4	None may exceed 60 cm	Open year-round (all divisions; waterbody-specific closures apply)
Smallmouth Bass	4	None may exceed 45 cm	Open year-round (all divisions; waterbody-specific closures apply)
Yellow Perch	25	No size restriction (provincially)	Open year-round (all divisions; waterbody-specific closures apply)
Lake Sturgeon	0	N/A (zero limit)	Southern Division: closed May 1 to June 15; open June 16 to April 30. Northwest and North Central Divisions: closed May 1 to June 30; open July 1 to April 30. Conservation closures on the Winnipeg River and Nelson River systems remain in place.
Largemouth Bass	4 (province-wide, excluding Mary Jane Reservoir)	None may exceed 45 cm (province-wide)	Open year-round (all divisions; waterbody-specific closures apply)

Walleye (Pickerel) & Sauger (either or combined)

Limit: 4
Size: None may exceed 55 cm
Season: 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.

Northern Pike (Jackfish)

Limit: 4
Size: None may exceed 75 cm
Season: Open year-round (all divisions; waterbody-specific closures apply)

Lake Trout

Limit: 1
Size: None may exceed 65 cm
Season: Southern Division: closed September 15 to October 31, 2026; open November 1, 2026 to September 14, 2027. New 2026 rule: Area A (eastern Manitoba) — all lake trout over 55 cm must be released. Northwest/North Central: generally open year-round per general limits (check waterbody-specific closures).

Channel Catfish

Limit: 4
Size: None may exceed 60 cm
Season: Open year-round (all divisions; waterbody-specific closures apply)

Smallmouth Bass

Limit: 4
Size: None may exceed 45 cm
Season: Open year-round (all divisions; waterbody-specific closures apply)

Yellow Perch

Limit: 25
Size: No size restriction (provincially)
Season: Open year-round (all divisions; waterbody-specific closures apply)

Lake Sturgeon

Limit: 0
Size: N/A (zero limit)
Season: Southern Division: closed May 1 to June 15; open June 16 to April 30. Northwest and North Central Divisions: closed May 1 to June 30; open July 1 to April 30. Conservation closures on the Winnipeg River and Nelson River systems remain in place.

Largemouth Bass

Limit: 4 (province-wide, excluding Mary Jane Reservoir)
Size: None may exceed 45 cm (province-wide)
Season: Open year-round (all divisions; waterbody-specific closures apply)

Source: 2026 Manitoba Anglers' Guide (gov.mb.ca/nrnd/fish-wildlife/pubs/fish_wildlife/fish/angling-guide.pdf), Waterbody Specific Regulations pp. 18-23. Summaries only — confirm in the official guide.

Stocking history

Brown TroutLargemouth BassNorthern PikeRainbow TroutWalleyeYellow Perch

Date	Species	Size	Quantity
Oct 3, 2024	Brown Trout	12-15 cm	4,000
Oct 3, 2024	Rainbow Trout	12-15 cm	8,000
Oct 12, 2023	Brown Trout	12-15 cm	3,000
Oct 12, 2023	Rainbow Trout	12-15 cm	15,000
May 31, 2023	Rainbow Trout	18+ cm	5,000
Sep 23, 2022	Brown Trout	12-15 cm	5,000
Sep 23, 2022	Rainbow Trout	12-15 cm	10,000
Oct 6, 2021	Brown Trout	12-15 cm	3,000
Oct 6, 2021	Rainbow Trout	12-15 cm	10,000
Sep 18, 2020	Brown Trout	12-15 cm	5,000
Sep 18, 2020	Rainbow Trout	12-15 cm	10,000
Sep 18, 2019	Brown Trout	12-15 cm	5,000
Sep 18, 2019	Rainbow Trout	12-15 cm	10,000
Oct 12, 2018	Rainbow Trout	12-15 cm	7,000
Oct 9, 2018	Brown Trout	12-15 cm	5,000
Oct 9, 2018	Rainbow Trout	12-15 cm	2,500
Jun 1, 2017	Rainbow Trout	18+ cm	200
Jun 1, 2017	Rainbow Trout	18+ cm	1,000
Oct 26, 2016	Rainbow Trout	12-15 cm	15,000
Nov 15, 2015	Rainbow Trout	12-15 cm	8,000
Oct 8, 2014	Rainbow Trout	12-15 cm	15,000
Jun 3, 2014	Rainbow Trout	18+ cm	4,900
May 14, 2012	Rainbow Trout	18+ cm	8,000
Oct 18, 2010	Rainbow Trout	Fingerling	7,000
Nov 5, 2009	Rainbow Trout	12-15 cm	4,200
Sep 2, 2009	Rainbow Trout	Fingerling	14,000
Sep 23, 2008	Rainbow Trout	12-15 cm	7,000
May 14, 2007	Rainbow Trout	12-15 cm	10,000
Apr 25, 2006	Rainbow Trout	12-15 cm	1,000
Apr 21, 2006	Rainbow Trout	12-15 cm	9,000
Jun 5, 2005	Rainbow Trout	12-15 cm	4,500
Jun 5, 2005	Rainbow Trout	18+ cm	4,000
Oct 15, 2004	Rainbow Trout	12-15 cm	10,000
Oct 20, 2003	Rainbow Trout	12-15 cm	12,000
Oct 22, 2001	Rainbow Trout	12-15 cm	5,000
Sep 27, 2001	Rainbow Trout	12-15 cm	15,500
Sep 25, 2000	Rainbow Trout	12-15 cm	15,000
May 4, 2000	Rainbow Trout	18+ cm	2,000
Oct 27, 1998	Rainbow Trout	12-15 cm	9,000
Oct 26, 1998	Rainbow Trout	12-15 cm	16,200
Oct 21, 1997	Rainbow Trout	12-15 cm	6,000
Oct 16, 1997	Rainbow Trout	12-15 cm	2,300
Oct 15, 1997	Rainbow Trout	12-15 cm	12,000
Oct 24, 1996	Rainbow Trout	12-15 cm	10,000
Oct 25, 1995	Rainbow Trout	12-15 cm	5,000
May 29, 1995	Rainbow Trout	18+ cm	5,000
Oct 16, 1994	Rainbow Trout	18+ cm	1,876
Oct 16, 1994	Rainbow Trout	12-15 cm	1,400
Oct 13, 1994	Rainbow Trout	18+ cm	5,320
Jul 19, 1994	Rainbow Trout	12-15 cm	2,000
Jun 8, 1994	Rainbow Trout	18+ cm	2,500
Jun 9, 1993	Rainbow Trout	>1 year	1,500
May 16, 1980	Walleye	Fry	500,000
Apr 24, 1978	Northern Pike	Adult (>30 cm)	300
Jun 15, 1961	Yellow Perch	Adult (>30 cm)	1,500
May 4, 1961	Northern Pike	Adult (>30 cm)	250
Jun 30, 1959	Yellow Perch	Adult (>30 cm)	750
Jun 26, 1958	Northern Pike	Fingerling	166
Jun 26, 1958	Yellow Perch	Fingerling	3,000
—	Brown Trout	12-15 cm	10,000
—	Rainbow Trout	12-15 cm	10,000
—	Rainbow Trout	>2 years	7,500
—	Rainbow Trout	>1 year	7,500
—	Rainbow Trout	>2 years	4,000
—	Rainbow Trout	>2 years	5,700
—	Rainbow Trout	>1 year	12,800
—	Rainbow Trout	>2 years	3,000
—	Rainbow Trout	>2 years	3,000
—	Rainbow Trout	>2 years	4,000
—	Largemouth Bass	Fry	30,000
—	Rainbow Trout	>2 years	3,000
—	Yellow Perch	Adult (>30 cm)	3,000
—	Walleye	Fry	150,000
—	Walleye	Fry	100,000

Oct 3, 2024

Brown Trout · 12-15 cm

4,000

Oct 3, 2024

Rainbow Trout · 12-15 cm

8,000

Oct 12, 2023

Brown Trout · 12-15 cm

3,000

Oct 12, 2023

Rainbow Trout · 12-15 cm

15,000

May 31, 2023

Rainbow Trout · 18+ cm

5,000

Sep 23, 2022

Brown Trout · 12-15 cm

5,000

Sep 23, 2022

Rainbow Trout · 12-15 cm

10,000

Oct 6, 2021

Brown Trout · 12-15 cm

3,000

Oct 6, 2021

Rainbow Trout · 12-15 cm

10,000

Sep 18, 2020

Brown Trout · 12-15 cm

5,000

Sep 18, 2020

Rainbow Trout · 12-15 cm

10,000

Sep 18, 2019

Brown Trout · 12-15 cm

5,000

Sep 18, 2019

Rainbow Trout · 12-15 cm

10,000

Oct 12, 2018

Rainbow Trout · 12-15 cm

7,000

Oct 9, 2018

Brown Trout · 12-15 cm

5,000

Oct 9, 2018

Rainbow Trout · 12-15 cm

2,500

Jun 1, 2017

Rainbow Trout · 18+ cm

200

Jun 1, 2017

Rainbow Trout · 18+ cm

1,000

Oct 26, 2016

Rainbow Trout · 12-15 cm

15,000

Nov 15, 2015

Rainbow Trout · 12-15 cm

8,000

Oct 8, 2014

Rainbow Trout · 12-15 cm

15,000

Jun 3, 2014

Rainbow Trout · 18+ cm

4,900

May 14, 2012

Rainbow Trout · 18+ cm

8,000

Oct 18, 2010

Rainbow Trout · Fingerling

7,000

Nov 5, 2009

Rainbow Trout · 12-15 cm

4,200

Sep 2, 2009

Rainbow Trout · Fingerling

14,000

Sep 23, 2008

Rainbow Trout · 12-15 cm

7,000

May 14, 2007

Rainbow Trout · 12-15 cm

10,000

Apr 25, 2006

Rainbow Trout · 12-15 cm

1,000

Apr 21, 2006

Rainbow Trout · 12-15 cm

9,000

Jun 5, 2005

Rainbow Trout · 12-15 cm

4,500

Jun 5, 2005

Rainbow Trout · 18+ cm

4,000

Oct 15, 2004

Rainbow Trout · 12-15 cm

10,000

Oct 20, 2003

Rainbow Trout · 12-15 cm

12,000

Oct 22, 2001

Rainbow Trout · 12-15 cm

5,000

Sep 27, 2001

Rainbow Trout · 12-15 cm

15,500

Sep 25, 2000

Rainbow Trout · 12-15 cm

15,000

May 4, 2000

Rainbow Trout · 18+ cm

2,000

Oct 27, 1998

Rainbow Trout · 12-15 cm

9,000

Oct 26, 1998

Rainbow Trout · 12-15 cm

16,200

Oct 21, 1997

Rainbow Trout · 12-15 cm

6,000

Oct 16, 1997

Rainbow Trout · 12-15 cm

2,300

Oct 15, 1997

Rainbow Trout · 12-15 cm

12,000

Oct 24, 1996

Rainbow Trout · 12-15 cm

10,000

Oct 25, 1995

Rainbow Trout · 12-15 cm

5,000

May 29, 1995

Rainbow Trout · 18+ cm

5,000

Oct 16, 1994

Rainbow Trout · 18+ cm

1,876

Oct 16, 1994

Rainbow Trout · 12-15 cm

1,400

Oct 13, 1994

Rainbow Trout · 18+ cm

5,320

Jul 19, 1994

Rainbow Trout · 12-15 cm

2,000

Jun 8, 1994

Rainbow Trout · 18+ cm

2,500

Jun 9, 1993

Rainbow Trout · >1 year

1,500

May 16, 1980

Walleye · Fry

500,000

Apr 24, 1978

Northern Pike · Adult (>30 cm)

300

Jun 15, 1961

Yellow Perch · Adult (>30 cm)

1,500

May 4, 1961

Northern Pike · Adult (>30 cm)

250

Jun 30, 1959

Yellow Perch · Adult (>30 cm)

750

Jun 26, 1958

Northern Pike · Fingerling

166

Jun 26, 1958

Yellow Perch · Fingerling

3,000

—

Brown Trout · 12-15 cm

10,000

—

Rainbow Trout · 12-15 cm

10,000

—

Rainbow Trout · >2 years

7,500

—

Rainbow Trout · >1 year

7,500

—

Rainbow Trout · >2 years

4,000

—

Rainbow Trout · >2 years

5,700

—

Rainbow Trout · >1 year

12,800

—

Rainbow Trout · >2 years

3,000

—

Rainbow Trout · >2 years

3,000

—

Rainbow Trout · >2 years

4,000

—

Largemouth Bass · Fry

30,000

—

Rainbow Trout · >2 years

3,000

—

Yellow Perch · Adult (>30 cm)

3,000

—

Walleye · Fry

150,000

—

Walleye · Fry

100,000

74 stocking events · Source: Manitoba Waterbody Stocking Records, Manitoba Wildlife and Fisheries Branch (open.canada.ca)