Western Manitoba
Snail Lake
About this lake
A remote Porcupine Forest lake fished for arctic char, with fish that have made the Manitoba Master Angler record book. There is no summer land trail: reach it by canoe (a strenuous route, not for novices) or by snowmobile in winter, and launch areas are restricted to small watercraft. A true backcountry char trip for anglers willing to earn it.
Size: 53.6 ha
Max depth: 12.5 m
🏆 Trophy catches
The biggest documented fish caught here, from the Manitoba Master Angler record book.
28″ Arctic Char
Gary Lagimodiere · March 20, 2010
71.1 cm
27.13″ Arctic CharReleased
Brian Kiliwnik · May 31, 2010
68.9 cm
26.3″ Arctic CharReleased
Murray Hoy · February 26, 2023
66.8 cm
25.25″ Brook Trout
Caleb Bushenlonga · January 18, 2009
64.1 cm
Source: Manitoba Master Angler record book (anglers.travelmanitoba.com)
Where it is
📍 Snail Lake · Western
2026 Manitoba Anglers' Guide
Fishing regulations
Southern Division
Special rules for this waterbody
Stocked trout water (Porcupine Forest).
None of this lake's species have their own row below, so here are the division's general limits instead.
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
Jun 19, 2024
Arctic Char · 18+ cm
2,700
Jun 19, 2024
Arctic Char · 18+ cm
2,700
Mar 19, 2021
Arctic Char · Fingerling
5,000
Mar 27, 2019
Arctic Char · Fingerling
5,000
Apr 7, 2016
Arctic Char · Fingerling
5,000
Apr 11, 2008
Arctic Char · Fingerling
1,750
Apr 11, 2008
Sparr · Fingerling
1,750
May 23, 2002
Sparr · 12-15 cm
15,000
Jul 21, 2001
Sparr · 12-15 cm
15,000
May 30, 1997
Sparr · Fingerling
15,000
Jun 11, 1996
Sparr · Fingerling
15,000
—
Arctic Char · Fry
6,075
—
Sparr · Fry
3,125
13 stocking events · Source: Manitoba Waterbody Stocking Records, Manitoba Wildlife and Fisheries Branch (open.canada.ca)