Lynn Lake Family Fish Day

Lynn Lake proudly calls itself the Sport Fishing Capital of Manitoba with a myriad of lakes for the angler to choose from in the area surrounding this isolated northern community. Some 322 kilometres from Thompson on Provincial Road # 391 it's a major adventure to get there, especially if you plan on taking your own boat.

The winding road from Thompson to Lynn Lake takes you over the mighty Churchill River at Leaf Rapids, always heading further to north and west. Once a vibrant mining community, Lynn Lake now relies on Tourism with sporfishing a large part of the equation. Neultin Lake lodge owner Gary Gurke, who has a wharehouse in the community to service his two lodges, says tourism can supply long term jobs for many in the community.

Gurke says now is the time to start encouraging young people to enjoy the sport of fishing, which can then translate to long term employment. With money raised from a trip donation to his lodge at the annual Fish Futures banquet in Winnipeg last spring, Gary has set up a trust fund with Fish Futures to get a provincial youth fishing program started. Gurke played a major role in organizing the first ever Lynn Lake Family Fishing Day this past summer. At this particular event over 300 fishing rods were handed to the young people of the community. Taking it a step further, Gurke, once again with the help of Fish Futures donated to the Town of Lynn Lake a brand new 16-foot aluminum boat, motor and trailer. According to Gurke all this equipment will be used to promote and teach responsible sport fishing practices and boat safety in the area.

The boat will be in the care of the Town of Lynn Lake and for use by Lynn Lake Friendship Centre, West Lynn Heights School, and the Junior Rangers just to mention a few of the groups that will have access to the equipment. Visit their website which also outlines the considerable fishing opportunites at www.lynnlake.ca

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