Northern Manitoba
Lake Athapapuskow
About this lake
A Canadian Shield lake near Flin Flon made of three connected basins - Big Athapap, Little Athapap and the North Arm - with depths ranging from shallow flats to basins over 200 feet. It is a trophy multi-species fishery famous for lake trout, with three historical world records including a 62 lb laker. Walleye, northern pike, rainbow trout, splake and smallmouth bass round out the fishery.
Size: 267 km2 (Manitoba portion)
🏆 Trophy catches
The biggest documented fish caught here, from the Manitoba Master Angler record book.
49.5″ Northern PikeReleased
John Wolters · July 04, 2007
125.7 cm
49.5″ Northern PikeReleased
Edward Smith · September 30, 2005
125.7 cm
49″ Lake TroutReleased
Wayne Lommel · June 11, 1992
124.5 cm
48″ Northern Pike
Robert Wegley · May 27, 1995
121.9 cm
47.5″ Lake TroutReleased
Leon Wiebe · June 06, 2011
120.7 cm
47.5″ Lake TroutReleased
Cheryl Wielenga · June 01, 2003
120.7 cm
Source: Manitoba Master Angler record book (anglers.travelmanitoba.com)
Where it is
📍 Lake Athapapuskow · Northern
2026 Manitoba Anglers' Guide
Fishing regulations
Northwest Division (best match — confirm in the guide)
No waterbody-specific rules listed — general Northwest Division limits 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).
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)
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
May 28, 1968
Lake Trout · >1 year
10,000
Jun 19, 1967
Lake Trout · >1 year
3,000
Jun 25, 1959
Lake Trout · Fingerling
10,000
—
Splake · Fingerling
5,000
—
Splake · Fingerling
8,000
—
Splake · Fingerling
3,000
—
Splake · Fingerling
6,000
—
Rainbow Trout · >1 year
2,000
—
Lake Trout · Fingerling
36,000
—
Lake Trout · Fingerling
50,000
—
Smallmouth Bass · Adult (>30 cm)
21
—
Smallmouth Bass · Adult (>30 cm)
60
12 stocking events · Source: Manitoba Waterbody Stocking Records, Manitoba Wildlife and Fisheries Branch (open.canada.ca)