The level and type of fish species used was seasonal and depended somewhat on the geographical location. Some regional examples showing how different fish species were harvested and utilized by First Nations people follows. Boreal Forest 
In the boreal part of Manitoba extending up to the tundra, the geography is characterized by many lakes connected by rivers. In the lake/river country, First Nations relied heavily on these waters for both food and transportation. During open water seasons, transportation was by canoe and for some First Nations, fish was the mainstay of their diet. Game was often less abundant and very scattered. In this part of the province, summer camps were established on lakeshores and at river mouths in areas where fish were abundant. Fish were harvested by many methods, including: using fishing clubs, 
fishing nets made of willow cords, and 
spear fishing. 
oil for medicinal purposes, bones for needles, spears and arrow heads, stomach linings for drum coverings, and "isinglass" from the swim bladders for making glue and paint for teepees. In addition to the value of the fish themselves, sturgeon also played a major role in social and cultural traditions. The spring spawning grounds became a meeting place for widely dispersed people. These meeting places provided an opportunity for friends and families to fish, trade and celebrate religious and cultural traditions. 
As in the spring, fall spawning runs also provided an opportunity for groups to meet and harvest a valuable food source for the upcoming winter. However, during this time of the year, whitefish replaced sturgeon as the major species harvested. 
During the winter season, fish were also caught at openings and rapids using bone fish spears and by jigging with bone fish hooks. Key species were lake sturgeon, longnose sucker, whitefish, perch, lake trout and walleye. Far North 
In northern Manitoba, caribou was the most important food source historically, although fish were harvested seasonally on spawning runs and during periods when game was scarce. Fishing techniques used in the Boreal region were also used in the north. Harvested species included: whitefish, pike, lake trout and arctic char. Prairies 
In the prairies, buffalo was the single most important source of food. However, fish also represented a significant part of the diet of First Nations peoples. In this region, fish were harvested during spring spawning runs, and sturgeon was a highly prized species. Sturgeon meat was often used to make fish pemmican which was just as important as the traditional bison pemmican. To catch sturgeon, as well as many other species, fishing weirs were built out of wooden poles and stones. The weirs were placed across rivers, streams and creeks to catch these fish during spawning runs. 
Preparation of Fish Depending on the time of year, fish were prepared using several different techniques. In some areas, fish were placed on drying racks to be cured by the sun and smoke. 
Other cooking methods including boiling fish in clay covered pots, woven spruce root kettles or pouches made from caribou stomachs, or by heat-drying fish on poles suspended in birch-bark containers above a smouldering fire. Each technique depended on whether the fish were going to be preserved for later use or eaten right away. 
Fish species that were not required for food were dried and fed to dog teams, thereby representing a source of fuel for transportation purposes. 
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