Interlake Manitoba

Waterhen Lake

About this lake

Waterhen Lake lies just east of Lake Winnipegosis in Manitoba's western Interlake, draining to Lake Manitoba through the Waterhen River. Its Indigenous-owned commercial fishery was the first freshwater fishery in the Western Hemisphere to earn Marine Stewardship Council certification, built on walleye and northern pike. Recreational anglers work the lake and the fast, fertile Waterhen River, which is renowned for trophy walleye and freshwater drum.

🏆 Trophy catches

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

34″ Freshwater Drum

Cal Fairbairn · July 20, 1991

86.4 cm

33.5″ WalleyeReleased

Kenneth Soura · June 16, 2012

85.1 cm

32″ Freshwater DrumReleased

Shaun Duncan · June 14, 2015

81.3 cm

31″ Walleye

Robert Buss · June 17, 2007

78.7 cm

30.5″ WalleyeReleased

Doreen Hawaleska · June 13, 2006

77.5 cm

30″ Freshwater DrumReleased

Homer Perreault · June 17, 2012

76.2 cm

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

Where it is

📍 Waterhen Lake · Interlake

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.

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)

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)

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

Lake WhitefishWalleye

Date	Species	Size	Quantity
May 15, 2011	Walleye	Fry	1,200,000
May 21, 2003	Walleye	Fry	2,500,000
Apr 28, 1993	Lake Whitefish	Fry	2,000,000

May 15, 2011

Walleye · Fry

1,200,000

May 21, 2003

Walleye · Fry

2,500,000

Apr 28, 1993

Lake Whitefish · Fry

2,000,000

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