The Town of Lynn Lake has had a history as a gold mining town, since 1951. The community is located 1100 kilometres northwest of Winnipeg, Manitoba, and is within the Norman Region.
This unique area, known as the "Sport Fishing Capital of Manitoba", offers a spectacular alternative to the environmentally and scientifically minded visitor, as well as, some of the greatest hunting and fishing adventures in the province.
Huge "Eskers" of gravel and sand rise from the landscape. These are glacial features that remained from 12,000 years ago. They have become historic pathways for aboriginal tribes and migrating caribou. Go hiking and explore, and you will find abundant berries and mushrooms, a variety of birds and other exciting wildlife.
Beautiful wilderness surrounds Lynn Lake, which is accessible via air, rail, and road.
History
The mining heritage in Lynn Lake is strong. Many of the town's streets have names like Copper, Zinc, Nickel and Prospector. Interestingly enough, the town was not always located here. Many of the community's structures were originally built in the mining town of Sherridon, some 270 kilometres south. When the Sherridon mine shut down, the town was trucked piece by piece and building by building, over the frozen muskeg to the new mine site in the current town. The 3-year ordeal gave rise to Lynn Lake. Today, Lynn Lake sits in Northern Manitoba's majestic and beautiful Canadian Shield. The rugged scenery of the area makes Lynn Lake a popular spot for all types of outdoor recreational activity. Picturesque tall-pine forests lodged between crystal-clear lakes and rugged rocky outcroppings are common sights in the Lynn Lake area, scenes that are usually seen in calendars and books. The area is also crossed by many large gravel and sand eskers, left behind by ancient glaciers. These huge landforms have been used in the past by aboriginal tribes, and migrating caribou now use the historic pathways.
Economic Base
The strongest force in the town's economic base, is the gold mine the town was built around. The mine employs many of the town's residents, and provides business for a number of small industrial and service firms that provide secondary services to the mine and its workers. The Lynn Lake area is also a hot bed for atmospheric and scientific research. During the summer months, scientists and technicians from all over the world are stationed in Lynn Lake performing various studies on the geology of the area and the natural environment. NASA, the North American Space Agency, has chosen the town, as its site to launch huge balloons carrying equipment to study the earth's atmosphere, ozone levels, and much more. Tourism is also a major part of the community and the local area. Lakes and rivers surrounding the town are dotted with dozens of lodges and outposts, of which, many are accessible only by floatplane. During the summer, scheduled and charter flights from the south bring a steady stream of hunters and fishers to the area, hoping to bag that prized trophy.
Major Attractions
Although, Lynn Lake has been called the sport fishing capital of the province, hunting and fishing are not the only attractions to this thriving northern community. Many guests arrive each year to take in the beauty of the natural areas around the town. Camping and boating opportunities are endless on any of the hundreds of waterways in the immediate area. Wilderness camping and backcountry hiking can be enjoyed for days or weeks on end without ever seeing another soul. The areas around Lynn Lake are home to dozens of species of birds and mammals, both small and large. An afternoon bird watching adventure can be quite exciting if you happen upon one of the many unique feathered inhabitants in the area. Lynn Lake also has a deep tradition of native culture. The area has been home to aboriginal people for thousands of years. A number of self-guided hiking trails and canoe routes beginning close to the town, follow the same paths as these early residents. In November, Lynn Lake holds an annual Pow-wow to celebrate the town's native history. Another beautiful attraction to the town is the breath-taking Northern Lights. The northern location of Lynn Lake makes the aurora borealis a spectacular sight almost any time of the year.
