Sturgeon Falls, Winnipeg River
Our most popular, big volume playspot! Clean, warm, deep, and a multi-featured playground like non-other. This is in Whiteshell Provincial Park so you will need a Provincial Park Pass. Fees are $5 for a day fee, or $20.00 for a season pass.
The visit is worthwhile starting at 35000-40000 cfs. If you are looking for a guaranteed fun day, wait until it starts really coming in at 45000+. You want fast water and big air? Prime time for big water play is 60000+ and it really gets cooking at 70000-90000 cfs. The bottom lake level will affect features, so post on the community forums for current levels and feature report.
From the provincial campground boat launch, (there are outhouses at the parking lot), head out across the lake and follow the right sandy shore for about 1km. When leaving the launch, stay on the lake (do not go directly right as you will be going up the Whiteshell river). In no time at all, you will be able to hear and see the base of Sturgeon Falls. To get to the fun stuff, work your way up the "river left" shore. Portage the last rock ledge, ferry out and access half a dozen outstanding surfing waves.
Most paddlers will portage up and ferry over the top with their gear for the day and drop down onto the island just "right of middle" of the falls. This is the best base to play from. From there you have many options to choose from.
In the main channel: (river left of the island) the big front wave on river left is named "Bigmouth" and if you watch it for a moment, you will notice that it surges and crashes every 20 seconds or so, especially in higher flows. Just to river left of the island are three or four nice wave holes and surfing waves, including "Surfers", "Chameleon", "Triple S", "SlideShow", and "Number 4" . In higher water, river right of the island, "The Tail" offers two more playholes, "G Rated"(far river right) and "X Rated" (just river left of center) that can be a lot of fun although shallow at low flow. For complete feature listings check out the photo album section for a labeled photo of Sturgeon.
This is a great playspot that offers something for everyone, all at the same time! If you plan on swimming, the wash out isn't bad, just the paddle on the way back up!
How to get there:
From The West:
Sturgeon Falls is approximately 90 minutes from Winnipeg. From Winnipeg, take Hwy 59 North to Hwy 44. Head east on Hwy 44 and turn north (left) onto Hwy 11. From 11, turn East or right onto Hwy 307, this road takes you into Whiteshell Provincial Park. Look for the Nutimik Lake Campgrounds turn off. It's about 33 km from the junction of Hwy 11 and 307. Turn into the campground and follow the road for a short distance to the parking lot/boat launch. Park and gear up.
From The East:
If you are traveling from Ontario, turn north off of the Trans Canada at West Hawk Lake (Hwy 44). Turn north again at Hwy 307. Follow 307 until you reach the Nutimik Lake Campground sign. Follow the road for a short distance through the campground to the parking lot/boat launch. Park and gear up.