# West Interlake

The Rural Municipality of West Interlake is located in the Interlake Region of Manitoba, Canada. A sparsely-populated area includes the communities of Ashern and Eriksdale.

## Understand

The area serves as a transition area between the agricultural southern portion of Manitoba and its boreal forests Agriculture and its related businesses continue to be the major economic activity in the area. Cattle production is prominent with grain and hay being grown. The local fishing industry is very active during the winter months. Commercial fishing on Lake Manitoba remains a major source of income for some residents.
Both Ashern and Eriksdale serve a good pitstops for travelers on PTH 6 heading between Winnipeg and northern Manitoba.

## Towns and communities

* 51.1822-98.34561 Ashern – small village of 565 people and main service centre for the region.
* 50.8628-98.10112 Eriksdale – small village of 850 people at the junction of Hwys 6 & 68.
* 51.0817-98.77943 The Narrows – small settlement and the only place where Lake Manitoba is traversed by a bridge.

## Get in

West Interlake is about an hour and a half northwest of Winnipeg on PTH 6.

## Get around

Ashern and Eriksdale are about 25 minutes by car from each other. The Narrows is 35 minutes west of PTH 6 on PTH 68.

## See

* Ashern Pioneer Museum, 26 1st Street S, Ashern, ashernmuseum@gmail.com. (updated Mar 2021)
* Eriksdale Creamery Museum, 15 Station Lane at Main Street, Eriksdale, ☏ +1 204-739-5322, eriksdalemuseum@gmail.com. The only remaining creamery in Manitoba, the restored 1950s creamery showcasing the functions and equipment of butter making (updated Mar 2021)
* Sharptale Grouse (Ashern Sharptail Park), PTH 6, Ashern. A 5 m (16 ft) statue of a sharptail grouse, representing the large number of species in the area. (updated Mar 2021)

## Do

* Hunting – Many species of game birds such as geese, ducks and sharptail grouse are hunted, along with deer, elk, moose and bear. Local guides and outfitters are available as needed.
* Fishing – There mare many opportunities to fish; Family Fishing Derby is held every June.
* Swimming – beaches along Lake Manitoba are located at Oak Bay Lodge, Lake Manitoba Narrows, and Silver Bay.

## Buy

Ashern is the regional service centre and has basic shopping. Eriksdale also has some basic services.

## Eat & drink

* Chicken Chef, 41 Main St, Ashern, ☏ +1 204-768-3500. Daily 11AM-7PM. (updated Mar 2021)
* Healthy Chef (Eriksdale Plaza), PTH 6, Eriksdale, ☏ +1 204-739-4570, +1 204-280-0778, thomaskuttybaby@gmail.com. M-Sa 7AM-11PM, Su noon-8PM. (updated Mar 2021)
* Just My Kind of Bakery, 31 Main St, Ashern, ☏ +1 204-768-2253. Tu-F 8AM-5PM. (updated Mar 2021)
* Porkchops Roadside Grill, PTH 68, The Narrows. (updated Mar 2021)

## Sleep

* Ashern Motor Hotel, 25 Railway Ave, Ashern, ☏ +1 204-768-2228. (updated Mar 2021)
* Interlake Motel, 2 Main St, Ashern, ☏ +1 204-768-2817. (updated Mar 2021)
* Sharptail Motor Inn, 14 PTH 6, Ashern, ☏ +1 204-768-2319. (updated Mar 2021)
* Eriksdale Plaza, PTH 6, Eriksdale, ☏ +1 204-739-4570, +1 204-280-0778. (updated Mar 2021)
* McEwen Memorial Park, PTH 6, Eriksdale, admineriksdale@rmofwestinterlake.com. 12 unserviced campsites. (updated Mar 2021)
* Narrows Sunset Lodge, PTH 68, The Narrows, ☏ +1 204-768-2749. The lodge offers six units in the main lodge, a conference room, convenience store, liquor store, fully licensed dining room, tavern, and seasonal campground. Enjoy activities such as fishing, a beach, and boating. (updated Mar 2021)

## Nearby

* 51.278333-98.5616671 Watchorn Provincial Park (12 km W of Moosehorn on PR 237). Located on the eastern shore of Lake Manitoba. Water activities abound at Watchorn Bay, including swimming, boating, canoeing and fishing. The boat launch is located north of the campground at Watchorn Creek. Campground offers 25 basic camping sites, 22 electrical sites and a group use area. (updated Mar 2021)