LAC DU BONNET WILDLIFE PONDS & INTERPRETIVE TRAIL
The Lac du Bonnet Wildlife Association Ponds are located on PTH 11, 1.5 km North of junction PR 313. The main pond consists of 5.2 hectares to fish, boat or paddle on. There are also several smaller ponds in the area where you can spot a variety of wildlife while you explore the 1.2 km Interpretive Trail!
ANGLING
TRAILS
PADDLE
ABOUT THE LAC DU BONNET WILDLIFE ASSOCIATION PONDS
Angling is one of Lac du Bonnet’s favourite pastimes! Developed by the Lac du Bonnet Wildlife Association, the ponds are where outdoor lovers can spend a day of fishing, hiking, fun, and relaxation. The scenery is beautiful, with tall grass, rocky outcrops, and a variety of trees, wildflowers, and berries. An abundance of wildlife frequents the area.
Whether angling, boating, paddling, hiking, bird watching, or dog walking, the Ponds and Interpretive Trail offer an excellent opportunity to view nature up close. Please respect the effort of our volunteers who built and maintain the area. Practice catch and release and leave nothing behind but your footprints. Place your garbage and recycling into bins located throughout the area.
TAKE YOUR BOAT ON THE PONDS
TAKE YOUR BOAT ON THE PONDS
The Lac du Bonnet Wildlife Association Ponds are a great place to canoe, kayak or boat. It is a calm safe place to enjoy nature and wildlife. A small boat launch and dock is available to help you get on the water.
Please beware that gas motors are not allowed. By law, boating is restricted to electric motors only. Please ensure your watercraft and equipment has been properly cleaned and dried to prevent the spread of Aquatic Invasive Species.
Lac du Bonnet is known for great outdoor recreation and the Ponds provide a unique outdoor experience. While you’re on the water, relax and do a little fishing. You will have a great afternoon on the water here
The Lac du Bonnet Wildlife Association Ponds is a great place to canoe, kayak or pedal boat. It’s a calm safe place to enjoy nature and wildlife. Lac du Bonnet is known for great outdoor recreation and the Ponds provide a unique outdoor experience. While you’re on the water, relax and do a little fishing. You’ll have a great afternoon on the water here.
Please be aware that boating is restricted to electric motors.
WHAT YOU’LL FIND AT THE PONDS
Brown Trout
Distinguished from rainbow trout by black spots along their top and red spots with a pale halo around them along the lower sides, brown trout are aggressive predators that choose to feed at night. They eat a variety of insects, as well as frogs, and fish.
Rainbow Trout
One of the most commonly stocked trout species in the province, rainbow trout has a reddish stripe and black spots along their side. They can grow to over 75 cm (30 inches) and feed on a variety of aquatic and terrestrial insects as well as other fish.
Tiger Trout
As the name suggests, tiger trout have stripes or colour patterns resembling a tiger. This genetic hybrid is a cross between brown and brook trout. They are mainly fish eaters.
The main pond was expanded in 2023 by excavating an area to connect it to a nearby smaller pond. The expansion gives 5.2 hectares of habitat stocked regularly with Rainbow, Brown, and Tiger Trout. In addition, trail improvements were made, and 4 new angling platforms were added around the ponds to increase access for shore anglers. These platforms are accessible to those with mobility issues. During the 2024 season we expect to make further improvements including wheelchair accessible picnic tables.
STOCKING RECORDS
| Year | Details |
|---|---|
| 2017 |
500 Tigers, 500 Rainbows (including Albino Rainbows), 500 Browns, 33 Adult Brood Strock Browns |
| 2018 | 2000 Rainbows, 500 Browns, 100 Adult Brood Stock Browns (2 separate stockings), 15 Adult Brood Stock Brook Trout |
| 2019 |
750 Tigers, 1000 Rainbows, 750 Browns, 80 Adult Brood Stock Browns (2 separate stockings) |
| 2020 |
500 Tigers, 2000 Rainbows, 500 Browns, 154 Adult Brood Stock Browns (3 separate Stockings) |
| 2021 | 1000 Rainbows, 500 Browns |
| 2022 | 1000 Tigers, 500 Rainbows, 500 Browns |
| 2023 |
1000 Rainbows, 500 Browns, 80 Adult Brood Stock Browns |
| 2024 |
1000 Tigers, 500 Rainbows |
The ponds are aerated during the winter months to prevent winterkill.
Catch & Release
We highly encourage “Catch and Release” to ensure a high-quality angling experience for everyone.
By law, all Brown Trout and Tiger Trout must be released. It is hoped to further develop a Master Angler fishery for Brown and Tiger Trout. For those who would like a meal, a regular limit of 3 Rainbows can still be kept (only one may exceed 45 cm, and none may exceed 60 cm).
WALK WITH NATURE
Take a walk in nature on the 1.2 km interpretive trail. It’s a beautiful hike that takes about 30 minutes.
The ponds provide important habitat for a variety of waterfowl including migrating ducks and geese, as well as common loons, which stay all summer. Redwing blackbirds frequently nest in the cattail vegetation along the edge of the ponds, and many other species of songbirds can be observed.
The habitat surrounding the ponds also includes an impressive variety of flowering plants. Species such as strawberry, raspberry, chokecherry and saskatoon is an important food source for wildlife, as well as a tasty treat for humans too!
WALK WITH NATURE
Take a walk in nature on the 1.2 km interpretive trail. It’s a beautiful hike that takes about 30 minutes.
The ponds provide important habitat for a variety of waterfowl including migrating ducks and geese, as well as common loons, which stay all summer. Redwing blackbirds frequently nest in the cattail vegetation along the edge of the ponds, and many other species of songbirds can be observed.
The habitat surrounding the ponds also includes an impressive variety of flowering plants. Species such as strawberry, raspberry, chokecherry and saskatoon is an important food source for wildlife, as well as a tasty treat for humans too!
PONDS SPONSORS
We recognize all those who have supported the Lac du Bonnet Wildlife Association Ponds. The development of this project was accomplished through the generosity of our supporters.
We wish to thank the following sponsors for their generous financial or in-kind contributions.
Platinum Partner $25000+
None at this time
Gold Partner $15,000+
Fisheries & Oceans, Canada – Recreational Fisheries Conservation Partnerships Program
Manitoba Hydro – Forest Enhancement Program
Fish and Wildlife Enhancement Fund
RM of Lac du Bonnet
Silver Partner $5,000+
Manitoba Lodges & Outfitters Association
Lac du Bonnet Charitable Foundation
Lac du Bonnet Ice Fishing Derby
S&H Docks and Lifts
Anonymous
Bronze Partner $1,000+
Town of Lac du Bonnet
Canada Culvert
Kelvin Cartage
Friends $500+
Grewinsky Trucking
AML Concrete
“Only Small” Concrete Jobs
Northeast Contractors
Sveinson Signs