Catch of the day

Bountiful haul on Whitemud River an annual rite of spring

Mikaela MacKenzie By: Photojournalist Mikaela MacKenzie Posted: Last Modified:

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People with nets and buckets line the shores of the Whitemud River — on a stretch of the meandering waterway 30 kilometre northwest of Portage la Prairie — as the sun sinks below the horizon.

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 04/05/2019 (2646 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

People with nets and buckets line the shores of the Whitemud River — on a stretch of the meandering waterway 30 kilometre northwest of Portage la Prairie — as the sun sinks below the horizon.

If you look closer, you see the silver glint of fish struggling upstream, some jumping clear out of the water in a desperate attempt to make headway. These are suckers, a freshwater fish with a downward-pointing mouth and iridescent grey-brown scales. The bottom feeders make the journey from Lake Manitoba to their spawning grounds every year, and for many Manitobans, it’s one of the first signs of spring.

The glut of fish in the river, especially where they get stuck in the rapids near Westbourne, attracts fishers of all kinds. All that’s needed is a net and a pair of rubber boots. Although some of the people lining the banks are camo-clad fishing pros, others shriek at the feel of scales against their hands. The water is so full of fish that people trip over them as they walk through the rushing water. Some simply reach in with their bare hands to scoop the writhing bodies out.

A prime fishing spot on the Whitemud River is located at the rapids near Westbourne.
A prime fishing spot on the Whitemud River is located at the rapids near Westbourne.

“We can them, fry them, smoke them,” says Heinrich Hoppe, who has been coming to feast off of the run for 14 years now.

Hoppe and his wife, Stefanie, steadily fill their buckets with the air of a practised team. After catching more than 100, the pair load the last two buckets of fish into the car before heading home. Enough to last until next spring, when the cycle starts anew.

Armed with a net and buckets, the fishers are ready to go.
Armed with a net and buckets, the fishers are ready to go.
Waldi Moch reaches for suckers.
Waldi Moch reaches for suckers.
Westbourne is popular because there is public access.
Westbourne is popular because there is public access.
The water boils with fish swimming upstream.
The water boils with fish swimming upstream.
One of the first signs of spring in Manitoba.
One of the first signs of spring in Manitoba.
Heinrich Hoppe has been coming for the fish run the last 14 years. He hauled home dozens of suckers this year to can, fry and smoke.
Heinrich Hoppe has been coming for the fish run the last 14 years. He hauled home dozens of suckers this year to can, fry and smoke.
There is no limit on rough fish such as suckers or carp.
There is no limit on rough fish such as suckers or carp.
The river teems with suckers heading to spawn.
The river teems with suckers heading to spawn.
A bucketful of fish is ready to be hauled home.
A bucketful of fish is ready to be hauled home.
Dip netting is generally allowed in most places, at any time of the year, unless there is a specific regulation closure for the body of water.
Dip netting is generally allowed in most places, at any time of the year, unless there is a specific regulation closure for the body of water.
Dip netting is generally allowed in most places, at any time of the year, unless there is a specific regulation closure for the body of water.
Dip netting is generally allowed in most places, at any time of the year, unless there is a specific regulation closure for the body of water.
From the catch to the cutting board.
From the catch to the cutting board.
A bowl of cleaned suckers awaits the dinner plate.
A bowl of cleaned suckers awaits the dinner plate.
Mikaela MacKenzie

Mikaela MacKenzie
Photojournalist

Mikaela MacKenzie loves meeting people, experiencing new things, and learning something every day. That's what drove her to pursue a career as a visual journalist — photographers get a hands-on, boots-on-the-ground look at the world.

   Read full biography

Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber.

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Mikaela MacKenzie

Mikaela MacKenzie
Photojournalist

Mikaela MacKenzie loves meeting people, experiencing new things, and learning something every day. That's what drove her to pursue a career as a visual journalist — photographers get a hands-on, boots-on-the-ground look at the world.

   Read full biography

Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber.

Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.

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