There are spring bear hunts, and then there's spring bear hunting at Dogskin Lake Lodge. What makes ours different is the combination: nearly 60,000 acres of exclusive Crown Land, a near 100% historical opportunity rate, a remarkable 30% color-phase population, and the bonus of world-class walleye and pike fishing during your non-hunting hours. It's a true combo trip that delivers on both fronts.
Season and Timing
Our spring bear hunts run during the last week of May through the first two weeks of June — prime time. Bears are coming out of hibernation hungry and actively feeding, which means they're hitting bait sites consistently. The long daylight hours at our northern latitude give you extended evening sits, and the spring weather is comfortable for sitting in a stand.
Limited to Two Hunters Per Week
We cap our bear hunts at just two hunters per week. This isn't a high-volume operation. Limiting hunters means less pressure on the territory, more bait site options per hunter, and a premium experience where you're not competing with other hunters for the best sits. It's one of the reasons our opportunity rate stays so high.
The Territory
Dogskin Lake Lodge sits on nearly 60,000 acres of exclusive Crown Land, with approximately 13,000 acres of prime bear hunting territory immediately around the lake. This is deep wilderness inside Atikaki Provincial Park — no roads, no other hunting operations, and a healthy, unpressured bear population.
One of the standout features of our area is the color-phase rate. Approximately 30% of our bears are color-phased — blonde, cinnamon, and chocolate. That's an unusually high percentage, and for hunters looking for a color-phase bear, Dogskin is one of the best places in Manitoba to find one.
Bait Sites and Methods
We run active bait sites that are monitored with trail cameras. Before you arrive, we know which sites are producing and what bears are hitting them. Your guide will review the trail camera footage with you and help you choose the right site based on what's been coming in.
Stand options include tree stands and ground blinds at bait sites. The sites are typically a 20-minute boat ride from the lodge followed by a short walk — so you're never far from the comforts of camp.
All legal methods are welcome:
- Archery
- Crossbow
- Muzzle loader
- Rifle
Whether you're a bowhunter who wants to draw a bear at 15 yards or a rifle hunter looking for a clean shot, our sites accommodate your preferred method.
The Fishing Bonus
This is what makes a Dogskin bear hunt truly unique. Late May and June happen to be outstanding fishing on Dogskin Lake — you're catching the season right as things are heating up. During your non-hunting hours (mornings and midday before the evening sit), you can fish for trophy northern pike and walleye on 7,000 acres of exclusive water.
Most of our bear hunters spend their mornings on the water, come back for lunch, and head to their stand in the late afternoon. It's the best of both worlds, and many guests tell us the fishing was just as memorable as the hunt itself.
Non-hunters in your party are welcome to come along — they pay regular fishing lodge rates and enjoy the full lodge experience while you hunt. It's a great setup for couples or groups where not everyone hunts.
What's Included
The spring bear hunt package includes:
- Professional guide
- Round-trip floatplane flights from Lac du Bonnet, MB
- Chef-prepared meals and daily shore lunch
- Bear license, fishing license, and allocation fees
- Private cabin with bathroom at the main lodge
- Trail-camera-monitored bait sites
- Tree stands and ground blinds
For current pricing on 4, 5, and 6-day packages, visit our spring bear hunting page.
What to Bring
- Your weapon of choice and ammunition
- Warm, quiet layers for evening sits — late May evenings in northern Manitoba can be cool
- Camo or dark clothing for the stand
- Rain gear
- Fishing gear (to take advantage of the fishing — loaners available at the lodge)
- Bug spray and a bug jacket — late May can bring no-see-ums, though they're manageable
- A valid passport for entering Canada
- Binoculars and a camera
The Lodge Experience
Unlike many bear hunting operations where you're camping in the bush, at Dogskin you're staying at a full-service lodge. After your evening sit, you come back to a chef-prepared dinner, a hot shower, and a comfortable cabin. The lodge has been hosting bear hunters for years, and the staff knows how to build a trip around the hunting schedule so nothing falls through the cracks.
Book Your Spring Bear Hunt
With only two hunter slots per week during a three-week season, availability is limited. If a spring bear hunt combined with world-class fishing sounds like your kind of trip, reach out early to secure your preferred dates.
Give us a call at 715-955-4110 or visit our contact page to start planning.