Wildlife Branch
Watchable Wildlife Manitoba
Proven Lake Wildlife Management Area
Site Services |
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Drinking Water |  |
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Restrooms | |
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Marked Trails | |
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Boardwalk | |
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Viewing Tower | |
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Picnic Shelter | |
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Camping | |
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Concession | |
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Visitor Centre | |
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Interpretive Signs/brochures | |
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Primitive Site |  |
Description:
Proven Lake WMA is south of Riding Mountain National Park in the heart of prairie pothole country – North America’s most productive waterfowl breeding grounds. At the centre of the 2,000-hectare WMA is a large wetland. It is here that water birds of many shapes and sizes raise their young.
Some of the species to look for are the Black-crowned Night Heron, Franklin’s Gull, Black Tern, Grebe, Canvasback, Redhead and Ring-necked Ducks. The Black-crowned Heron is much smaller than its well-known cousin the Great Blue. It hunts in the evening for fish and frogs, scanning for them with large red eyes. Watch for the little heron sitting perfectly still on a bent reed, waiting for prey to come by. You can also look for American Coot, Blue-winged Teal and Eared Grebe. Proven Lake in spring is a good place to observe birds with young, as parents shepherd downy little ones around the lake. The wetland is also a busy stopover for migrating birds in spring and fall. Large flocks of Tundra Swans regularly stop here during their long migration.
The Trans Canada Trail runs alongside Proven Lake, providing an elevated view over the wetland. A boardwalk and viewing platform with interpretive signs are planned for recently acquired lands adjacent to Proven Lake – check back and we will tell you when it is completed.
Don’t Miss:
Coming soon – a new trail with viewing tower and interpretive signs!
Habitats:
deciduous woods, sedge/grass meadows, freshwater lake
Site Specialties:
Black-crowned Night Heron, Franklin’s Gull, Black Tern, Canvasback, Redhead and Ring-necked Ducks
Directions:
- Highway 10 from Riding Mountain or Minnedosa, turn west at Highway 45 and look for the WMA signs along the road.
Cautionary Notes:
In treed areas you may find poison ivy.
Admission:
No entrance fee
