Northern Manitoba

Gods Lake

Northern Pike Walleye Lake TroutBrook Trout

Photo: Jacques Descloitres, MODIS Land Rapid Response Team (Public domain) via Wikimedia Commons

About this lake

Manitoba's seventh-largest lake, a deep, cold northern lake 344 miles north of Winnipeg. Elk Island Lodge operates fly-in trips for trophy northern pike, walleye, lake trout and brook trout. The lake is renowned for world-class catch-and-release trophy fishing.

Size: 1,151 km2

Max depth: 75.3 m

🏆 Trophy catches

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

50″ Northern PikeReleased

Leon I. Davis · July 30, 2009

127.0 cm

50″ Northern PikeReleased

R. Mike Bruce · August 22, 2001

127.0 cm

49.75″ Lake TroutReleased

John T. Steele · June 05, 1998

126.4 cm

49.5″ Lake TroutReleased

Judy M. E. Butler · June 06, 2003

125.7 cm

49.25″ Northern PikeReleased

Art Scharlach · June 27, 2000

125.1 cm

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

Where it is

📍 Gods Lake · Northern

2026 Manitoba Anglers' Guide

Fishing regulations

Northeast Division

Special rules for this waterbody

Non-residents must be registered and staying with, and obtain a free Special Angling Licence from, a licensed Manitoba tourist operator.

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).

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).

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.