What to Do

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.

ATTENTION BIRDERS
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 (PDF)

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.

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

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.

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.

Check out the virtual tour or interactive tour.

The Oakburn area abounds with historical sites left from early Ukrainian settlers.

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.

Shoal Lake Police and Pioneer Museum
Shoal Lake has a rich heritage as a result of the North West Mounted Police establishing a post at the south end in 1874. The Police and Pioneer Museum was built at Lakeview Park in 1984 and is a replica of the original barracks from the south end. It is filled with police and pioneer artifacts and is the only museum dedicated to NWMP-RCMP in Manitoba. The town has enjoyed a long relationship with the local police detachment. It is one of the longest serving detachments in the country. The museum is open through the summer months. To arrange tours after hours contact 204-759-2429.

An old fashioned fair is held the third Wednesday in July with a pancake breakfast, parade, livestock shows, petting zoo, midway, gymkhana, entertainment for the whole family, beer gardens, and exhibits of horticulture, garden produce, grain, handicrafts, sewing, and artwork. The fair is part of a week long series of local fairs in the area known as "The Milk Run".

Check out the schedule under Current Events!

The Thunder and Ice Festival is held annually in February. There is something for everyone including an evening poker derby in Oakburn, snowmobile races on a track on the lake, and an ice-fishing derby for the whole family.

Shoal Lake is an ideal base location within 100 km of:

Brandon - The "Wheat City" is the second largest city in the province with all of those big city amenities. Check out their new Riverbank Development and the Commonwealth Air Training Museum, which is one of Manitoba's three special theme museums.

Riding Mountain National Park - RMNP is the only national park located in Manitoba. The town site of Wasgaming is filled with tourist attractions and numerous trails are nearby. The Clear Lake Golf Course is excellent.

Asessippi Winter Park - This award winning winter destination opened in the winter of 1999-2000. Go down-hill skiing, snowboarding, tubing, cross-country skiing, tobogganing, skating, or take part in the park's numerous other activities.

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