The first ever Winnipeg Beach Kayak Fishing Exhibition took place on May 30. The goal of the gathering, aside from catching a pile of spring greenback walleye, was to offer a chance for anglers to try their hand at competitive kayak angling. For half of the group it was their first time attending one of our events. For the veteran anglers, they had a chance to shake off the cobwebs after a super long winter.
The group set out from the beach at 9am on the famed waters of Lake Winnipeg in search of the best stringer of three fish they could catch. All species were in play, but everyone deployed walleye tactics for the most part as the mass migration of post-spawn greenbacks is making its way through Winnipeg Beach these next few weeks. Conditions on Lake Winnipeg were perfect for kayaks with sunny skies and a light breeze offering some relief from the scorching temps.
Daniel Stagg Claims Top Angler Honours
The Top Angler Award was presented to the angler who scored the highest accumulated length for their best three fish. Daniel Stagg, winner of the Lake of the Prairies tournament in 2025, had a monster bag totaling 85.25 inches to take the win. Showcasing exactly why Winnipeg Beach is a spring hotspot, Stagg managed to catch two Master Angler kickerfish at 29” and 30” to go with a 26.25” to complete his winning stringer.
First time competitor Kali Klatt made a splash by scoring just over 80 inches to claim second place. She beat out her better half Mike Klatt who was just behind in third place with a score of 77.75”. Fourth place finisher Eric Labaupa caught the third Master Angler in the field at 29”. Lake Winnipeg first-timer Cory Heaman caught a new personal best walleye at 26.25” to round out the Top 5.
Thank you to the event supporters
Events like the Winnipeg Beach Kayak Fishing Exhibition are made possible through the support of dedicated local businesses and industry partners who continue to invest in the growth of kayak fishing in Manitoba.
Huge thank you to Carlo’s Cucina in Gimli for donating $100 in gift certificates to prize out. Anglers were supplied with live minnows courtesy of Matlock Village Junction. Mustang Survival donated caps and t-shirts so everyone who competed got a prize. The top prize and plaques were donated by Kickerfish.
Looking Ahead
The Winnipeg Beach Kayak Fishing Exhibition once again highlighted the incredible fishery that Lake Winnipeg offers and demonstrated the growing enthusiasm for kayak fishing in Manitoba. From first-time competitors to seasoned tournament veterans, anglers enjoyed a day filled with competition, learning opportunities, and the chance to connect with fellow angling enthusiasts.
The Central Canada Kayak Trail competitors now turn their attention to the first official tournament of the 2026 season on Lake Wahtopanah on June 6th. Stagg figures to be in the mix with this dominant performance. Reigning CCKT Angler of the Year Nick Wytinck is the consensus odds-on favourite. It’s not too late to throw your hat in the ring and join the field for a fun day of catching golden prairie walleye. Register here
