Commercial fishing is a valued industry in Manitoba. For over 100 years, Manitobans have been commercially harvesting fish. The majority of production comes from Lake Winnipeg and Lake Manitoba, but several smaller lakes in southern and northern Manitoba are also fished. The resource is managed through the use of quotas, mesh size of gill nets, seasons and regulating the number of fishermen licensed. These management tools allow fish populations and the industry to remain viable. They also ensure resources are shared equitably on lakes with treaty Indian fishing and/or sport fishing.

Since almost all of the commercial production is sold out of the country, the $30 million dollars in annual sales represents a significant contribution to Manitoba's economy.