The Pas area boasts abundant adventure travel and ecotourism resources and has unlimited potential for tourism development. The region features an unspoiled land of countless lakes, endless boreal forests, diverse flora and fauna and colorful heritage. It boasts some of the most legendary game fishing lakes in North America, abundant game animals, well-preserved wilderness provincial parks system and hospitable northerners.

The Pas and the surrounding area is not only internationally renowned for its trophy lake trout, northern pike and walleye but also rich in and well known for game animals and waterfowl such as moose, black bear, deer, woodland caribou, elk, Canada goose, snow goose, duck, etc. The region has been a popular angling and hunting destination for decades, attracting and entertaining anglers and hunters from southern Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Alberta and the mid-western states of USA. Some visitors are even from as far as California, Texas, Florida, Germany, France, Japan, etc.

The excellent watershed throughout the surrounding area is the paradise for wilderness canoeists with the Grass River canoe route being well documented and well traveled. The Grass River canoe route is continuing to gain popularity due to its exceptional suitability for canoeing, fishing, camping, boating and hiking. It runs parallel with Highway 39 and 6, and provides tourists with many potential entry and exit points along the river.

The existence of numerous lakes, rivers, creeks and swamps, as well as vast farmlands in the region, provide excellent waterfowl habitat. The Pas is also one of the largest breeding and staying areas of migratory waterfowl in the world, attracting numerous photographers and hunters to the area in the spring and fall.

Clearwater Lake, one of the three “true blue” lakes in the world, is located approximately 25 kilometers northwest of the town. This is one of the major attractions in the area, characterized by long white beaches, diverse vegetation species and true clear water - so clear that you can see the bottom at 11 meters.

POINTS OF INTEREST

CLEARWATER LAKE
With an area of 593 sq. km, Clearwater Lake Provincial Park is characterized by Clearwater Lake, one of the three “true blue” lakes in the world. Clearwater Lake comprises almost half of the park with the other half being made up of coniferous forests yielding a rich variety of berries and wildflowers.

Classified as a Natural Park, the establishment of Clearwater Provincial Park is to preserve areas that are representative of the Mid-Boreal portion of the Manitoba Lowlands Natural Region and accommodate a diversity of recreational opportunities and resource uses.

Clearwater Lake, a deep, clear, cold lake, is renowned for its excellent water quality and large lake trout. The near circular lake, 16 km (10 mi.) in diameter, has an average depth of 13.1m (43 ft.) and a maximum depth of 39 m (127 ft.). Lake clarity has been measured to a depth of 11 meters or 36.1 feet. It is spring fed and lacks major inflowing streams which may carry silt, although there are several small inflowing streams on its south and west shores. The single outflowing stream empties into Cormorant Lake and eventually into the Saskatchewan River system. Clearwater Lake is a prime habitat for trophy-size lake trout, northern pike and whitefish. The cold year-round water temperatures may slow the growth of lake trout. Yet, these conditions are essential for lake trout to survive.

Clearwater Lake Provincial Park offers a variety of tourism and recreational activities including fishing, boating, hiking, camping in summer and cross-country skiing and snowmobiling in winter. It also features long white beaches, diverse vegetation species and a natural phenomenon called “the caves” - huge slabs of rock broken off the dolomite cliffs.

GRASS RIVER PROVINCIAL PARK
Less than one hour drive northwest of The Pas will take you to Grass River Provincial Park, a vast stretch of wilderness of lakes and evergreen boreal forests with an area of 2,250 sq km/1,398 sq mi. The Grass River originates at the Cranberry Lakes in northwestern Manitoba where the Manitoba Lowlands and Precambrian Shield meet and travels for several hundred miles through 5 provincial parks and 12 communities before reaching Hudson Bay via the Nelson River. The park is the home to a rich variety of flora and fauna and is also ideal for canoeing, birds watching, fishing and hunting.

Along the way, travellers will see some of the most beautiful waterfalls, lakes and pine forests in the province. Well known scenic and historical attractions include Pisew Falls, Wekusko Falls, Tramping Lake Indian Petrograph, Kwasitchewan Falls and Karst Springs. This is a place where game animals thrive, where wolves, moose, bear and wolverine roam the lush forests and bald eagle and great gray owl hover over the clear blue sky. The bounty of Grass River’s waters are the great northern pike, walleye, lake trout, and white fish, sought after by anglers worldwide.

Grass River is a historical river with numerous legends and tales. This is a river that was heavily traveled by some great explorers like Samuel Hearne during the fur trade era. There was, at one time, a trading post at almost every major lake along the river corridor. Remains of some posts can still be seen today along the river.

Grass River Provincial Park is easily accessible by Highway No. 6 and 39. Travellers can choose from basic and electrically serviced sites at several lakeside campgrounds, designated backcountry campsites or lodges along the river.

SIGHTS LOCATED WITHIN GRASS RIVER PROVINCIAL PARK

• KARST SPRING TRAIL
  The “Karst Spring” trail is located near the Iskwasum campground at Iskwasum Lake. The trail is approximately 3.2 km long and takes you to a remarkable spring where water gushes out of a solid rock face. 
• WEKUSKO FALLS
  The Grass River plunges through a series of falls and rapids known as Wekusko Falls. Two swinging footbridges take you across the rushing waters. Follow the walking trails for a close-up look at Wekusko Lake and an outstanding view of Wekusko Falls. 
• PISEW FALLS
  Pisew Falls is located between Wabowden and Thompson and is accessible by Hwy. 6. This is where the Grass River drops 13 m/42.7ft, changes direction and jets down through a gorge. Follow the .5 km self-guiding trail to a platform above the spectacular falls. Another .5 km trail leads to the Rotary Bridge over the Grass River below the falls giving access to trails leading the top of Pisew Falls and to a 22 km return hiking trail to Kwasitchewan Falls, Manitoba’s highest waterfall.

   

JACKFISH CREEK FISHWAY
On PR 287, a short distance east of the Sunset Beach turnoff, this fishway was built to help northern pike and white suckers to swim up Jackfish Creek to reach spawning areas in Campbell Lake. Early spring is the best time to observe the spawning run.

CARROT RIVER VALLEY
Known as the most northerly agricultural area in Manitoba, the Carrot River Valley consists of approximately 170,000 prime acres of farmland situated alongside the south shore of the Saskatchewan River delta. In this arid lush area, approximately 1.5 million bushels of grain and specialty crops are produced annually, along with thousands of heads of cattle. Major grain and specialty crops produced in the valley include wheat, canola, barley, oats, flax, etc. The Carrot River Valley is home to the annual Agriculture Fair and Exhibitions held in every June, a two-day event of dawn to dusk action-packed activities featuring rodeo rides, livestock shows and contests, craft displays, parade, grandstand show and baseball tournament. Access to the Carrot River Valley is via Hwy 283 west of the town along the Carrot River or off PTH 10 just south of the town limit.

OPASKWAYAK CREE NATION
The Opaskwayak Cree Nation (OCN) is a Swampy Cree community of more than 2,000 people, located on the north shore of the Saskatchewan River and approximately 2 km north of the town. The site had been a traditional gathering place of the Cree for centuries, who met here every summer to conduct a variety of activities such as hunting, fishing and socialization. Today, the OCN is home to the Otineka Shopping Mall, the Gordon Lathlin Memorial Centre (home of the OCN Blizzard Junior A hockey club), Community Plex and the beautiful Kikiwak Inn. Every August, the Opaskwayak Indian Days is held here to celebrate the Cree’s traditions and culture.

WANLESS/ROCKY LAKE
Approximately 50 km north of The Pas is the beautiful cottage country of Rocky Lake and the community of Wanless. Situated on the fringe of the Canadian Shield, the community is in the path of a number of mining operations although logging is the primary industry. Rocky Lake features gorgeous sceneries, excellent fishing as well as well maintained hiking and snowmobiling trails. Two lodges are located on the north shore of Rocky Lake, providing accommodation for tourists who want to stay close to the nature. A public boat launch is available on the East Shore. The area is home to the Wanless Winter Carnival and the Jimmy Jackfish Fishing Derby.