Cranberry Portage in Northern Manitoba stands as a premier drive-to fishing destination, offering unparalleled access to trophy waters teeming with walleye, lake trout, and northern pike. Nestled within the pristine Cranberry Lake chain—First, Second, and Third Cranberry Lakes—this Canadian Shield ecosystem delivers diverse angling experiences across interconnected fisheries.
The shallow bays of First Cranberry Lake are legendary for trophy walleye, where vertical jigging with minnows yields consistent action, including 100-fish days. Second Cranberry Lake drops into deep, cold basins stacked with aggressive lake trout, best targeted by vertical jigging over feeding flats. Meanwhile, northern pike patrol weedy shorelines across the chain, with specimen-sized fish readily striking casted lures along drop-offs. Simonhouse Narrows rounds out the experience with frenetic walleye action ideal for shore lunches.
This region’s undeveloped landscape—a historic fur-trade corridor—preserves raw biodiversity. Anglers access these waters year-round, with summer and early fall prime for multispecies adventures. Ice fishing unlocks frozen trophy opportunities from January through March. Whether targeting walleye with electronics in open water or drilling for lakers through the ice, Cranberry Portage consistently delivers world-class fishing across seasons.