Tourism

The town of Shoal Lake is located around the north end of Shoal Lake itself. The lake is nine km long, making it ideal for boating and water-skiing. Tourism is very important to the local economy.

Shoal Lake is a member of Parkland Tourism, Southwest Trails Association for Regional Tourism, and Prairie Mountain Tourism. A tourist booth sponsored by the Shoal Lake & District Chamber of Commerce operates throughout the summer months at the Police & Pioneer Museum in Lakeview Park.

Shoal Lake is also working together with Strathclair to develop a first rate heritage destination at the Prairie Mountain Regional Museum. For more information check out our brochure below.

Brochure (PDF Document)

Shoal Lake, Oakburn and area offers exceptional year-round recreational opportunities including fishing, boating, swimming, birding, hunting, biking, ice-fishing, snowmobiling and cross-country skiing.  The countryside is adorned with rich Ukrainian heritage sites, waterfowl and wildlife.

When traveling as a family, couple or solo, Shoal Lake offers a multitude of recreation or relaxation opportunities.  Come spend a day, weekend or week and connect with our community.  Shoal Lake has activities for all ages and interests. Capture our history at one of our historical exhibits and sites.  Relax in recreation from the cool waters of our swimming pond or play your best game at Shoal Lake Golf Course.

Historical Interest

Shoal Lake Mounted Police Museum & Tourist Information

Prairie Mountain Regional Museum Collections Incorporated

Prairie Mountain Website

The Rossburn/Oakburn area abounds with historical sites left from early Ukrainian settlers.  Below is a map and listing.

1 - Rossburn Museum
2 - Saints Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church
3 - Marconi School
4 - St. Michael's Ukrainian Catholic Church
5 - Saints Peter and Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church
6 - St. John Cantius Roman Catholic Church
7 - Mass Grave and Monument
8 - Buddas
9 - Shoal Lake Police and Pioneer Museum

Rossburn Museum

Visit a country schoolroom, an early hospital room, a hairdresser's salon, and a Ukrainian pioneer kitchen and printshop. One of the main attractions is the replica of a Ukrainian village built by the late Harry Boychuk. The miniature buildings are detailed even to the interior furniture.

Saints Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church

The first church was built in 1901 but disagreements within the parish led to another church being built nearby in 1904. It was used regularly until 1959 and since its restoration in 1978, the church opens annually on July 12 for public mass followed by a family picnic.

Marconi School

Built in 1922 with an opening class of 69, Marconi School was used until 1958. In 1984, a school reunion inspired a few dedicated volunteers to maintain the building for tourists. By 1992, with the help of government funds, the school was restored.

St. Michael's Ukrainian Catholic Church

One of the oldest of the local churches, St. Michael's was built in 1904 and became known as "Central". The original belfry, built in 1915, was later sold. In 1927, Jacob Maydaniuk painted the interior icons. St. Michael's is a designated historic site. nearby Olha Hall was built by settlers in 1928 and has stage scenery depicting an "old country" village.

Saints Peter and Paul Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church

Summer open air services were held on the site before the church was built in 1938 by Michael Swistun and 10 volunteers. Great care was taken with small details and finely carved decorations are found throughout. A special service and dinner celebrates the patron saints' day on July 12.

St. John Cantiun Roman Catholic Church

Built in 1902, the church served both the Ukrainian and Polish settlers for a few years until separate Ukrainian churches were built. The church opens for one Sunday in August for Divine Liturgy.

Mass Grave and Monument

In April, 1899, a large group of Ukrainian settlers from Galicia arrived in Winnipeg and after a long wait, set out on a long, cold, windy train journey to the Patterson Lake area. Three children died before reaching Minnedosa and another three by Strathclair. With four more severely ill, the problem was recognized as an epidemic of Scarlet Fever and the families affected were quarantined at Strathclair while the others left for Patterson Lake. The total loss was 42 children and 3 adults, most of whom are buried at the mass grave site. An impressive granite and bronze monument at the site celebrates the 1991 cetennial of Ukrainians in Canada.

Buddas

When the Ukrainian settlers arrived in 1899, their first homes were small tent-shaped pole structures covered with straw, known as buddas. Michael Swistun, who was born in a budda in 1900, later constructed two buddas on the original site next to the settlement trail and donated them, along with 80 acres of land, as a historical site.

Recreation & Arts  

Communiplex

The Shoal Lake Communiplex is a modern arena complex with regulation size artificial skating ice and four sheets of artificial curling ice.  It is home to the Shoal Lake Curling Club, Shoal Lake Figure Skating Club, Shoal Lake Minor Sports, Yellowhead Chiefs AAA Midget Hockey Team, Eagles Senior Hockey Team, and the Balding Eagles "Old Timers" Recreational Hockey Team.  It is located on Hwy 42 at the west end of The Drive.  Phone numbers are:

Skating Arena - (204) 759-2094
Curling Club - (204) 759-2731

Ice may be booked by contacting the icemaker at (204) 759-2094.  It is available from the beginning of September to the end of March.  April ice may be available if sufficient bookings are made.

Curling Schedule
Monday nights - Men
Tuesday nights - Ladies
Wednesday afternoons - Mixed

Bonspiels:
Men's & Ladies' Bonspiel - TBA
Bonspiel Banquet & Dance - TBA

Curling ice may be booked by contact Trevor at (204) 759-3094

The facilities are available for rent during the off season.  Bookings are made through Leisure Services at (204) 759-2629 or email.  All Lessee's must sign a Facility Rental Agreement.  A deposit of $100 is required to reserve the date, which will be refunded the week following the event if there is no damage to the facility or its contents.  The entire rental fee is required when picking up the key for the event.

Bird Watching

We have put together a list of birds sited in our area in a MS Word document. If you would like a copy and are unable to open it, email us at slrcdc@goinet.ca and we will send you a copy.

Bird List (Word Document)

Songbirds, hawks, owl, prairie chicken, partridges, and deer are also common in the area. It is not uncommon to see swans and even the odd bear or moose that come visiting from Riding Mountain National park. Hunters and birders are attracted to the area from all over Canada and the United States In addition, Riding Mountain National Park is a convenient hour's drive away.

Lakeside Golf Club

Lakeside Golf Club is a nine hole grass green course measuring just over 3000 yards on the west shore of Shoal Lake. The blend of low lying shrubs, trees, and wildlfowers along with a scenic view of the lake and local wildlife makes the course attractive to not only golfers but those who enjoy nature's beauty. The biggest challenge on the par 36 layout is on the par five fourth hole featuring a dog left left, while the seventh hole is the course's signature hole. An excellent irrigation system keeps the course lush throughout the season. Numerous tournaments are held in June, July, and August including the popular Highway 21 Golf Classic where participants play one day at Shoal Lake and one day at Hamiota. The recently completed new licensed clubhouse is well stocked, offering golfers a pro-shop and club, pull cart, and motorized cart rentals. Call (204) 759-2002 for bookings.

Fishing

Fishermen enjoy the abundant supply of walleye and northern pike which are kept healthy year round thanks to two aeration systems put in by the local Lions Club. Ice fishing shacks are a common site on the lake throughout the winter months.

Shoal Lake is in the "prairie pothole" region of Manitoba which provides ideal habitat for waterfowl including Mallard, Pintail, Northern Shoveler, Common Goldeye, Bufflehead, American Widgeon, Redhead, Ring-Necked Duck, Lesser Scaup, Wood Duck, Blue-Winged Teal, Green-Winged Teal, Gadwall, Ruddy Duck, Canvasback, Canada Goose, Snow Goose, Great Blue Heron, and Pelicans. The Norther American Waterfowl Management Plan has been active in the area since 1988 cooperating with farmers to restore wetlands and waterfowl habitat.

TransCanada Trail

Parks & Campgrounds

Campgrounds

Lakeview Park
There are 27 beautiful sites in total.  21 serviced sites (12 are seasonal) and 6 unserviced campsites are located at the north end of Shoal Lake close to downtown amenities, the Police & Pioneer Museum, and Lakeside Golf Club. There are modern washrooms/showers, beach, playground and marina.  Landscaped walking paths include a trail to the golf course and the aerated lake for fish ready to catch all year.  For reservations call: 204-759-2629 E-mail: slleisure@inetlink.ca

Marshall Chamber Park
Serviced and unserviced campsites are located at the scenic south end of Shoal Lake, 4 miles south of Shoal Lake and 1 mile west, in the cottage district. There is a playground, beach, washrooms and a boat launch.  For reservations call 204-759-2376 or 764-0814 (mobile).

Swimming

Shoal Lake - Shoal Lake is six miles long, great for fishing, boating, waterskiing / boarding, tubing, canoeing, rowing, and sailing.

Seech Lake - Seech Lake is known for its fishing, beach and Swim Club. Located North-East of Shoal Lake and just south of Riding Mountain National Park.  For more information contact the Oakburn Game and Fish - (204) 234-5473.  Swim lessons take place in July, contact the Seech Lake Swim Club - (204)234-5388

Walking Trails & Country Ski

The North Shore Project was begun by the Shoal Lake Lions Club some years back. Today the north shore of the lake is a scenic park criss-crossed by paved walking trails and professionally landscaped with trees, shrubs, and a flower bed. Benches and a picnic table are situated to allow for wonderful views of the lake. The Shoal Lake Millennium Project added to this area by constructing a pathway and bridge across the lake from the campground on the east side to near the golf course on the west shore.

The Rossburn Subdivision of the TransCanada Trail runs through the north part of the R.M. of Shoal Lake at Oakburn. Future plans for the area include the construction of a rest stop.

Outdoors fun doesn't end with the arrival of snow. Ice-fishing, cross-country skiing, tobogganing, and snowmobiling are all common winter past-times.

Shoal Lake Fair

An old fashioned fair is held the third Wednesday in July with a pancake breakfast, parade, inflatable bouncers, train, children's entertainment, fabulous heavy horse show, cattle show, petting zoo, Oakburn 4-H display, light horse show and gymkhana, entertainment for the whole family, beer gardens, and exhibits of horticulture, garden produce, grain, handicrafts, sewing, and artwork. New activities each year.  The fair is part of a week long series of local fairs in the area known as "The Milk Run".  The Fair Book and Registration Forms will be posted shortly.

Shoal Lake Motor Inn
Under new ownership and has been beautifully renovated.  Comfortable air-conditioned rooms accompanied by a restaurant, lounge, VLT's and snack vendor. 321 Elm Street, call 204-759-2222.

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