Things to do in the Fall at Inverness Falls Resort

As summer winds down, the landscape around Inverness Falls Resort begins to change. Leaves turn, fall temperatures cool, and the activity on the lake settles. Fall is a steady season here, marked by incredible fishing, comfortable hiking and biking conditions, and increased wildlife along the water and trails.

For many, fall is about the colour. For anglers, it’s about the fishing.

As the water cools, fish begin feeding more steadily before winter, making this one of the most productive stretches of the year. At roughly 3 by 5 miles in size with an average depth of 15 to 18 feet, Brereton Lake offers a mix of rock, mud, and weed beds that support healthy populations of walleye, northern pike, perch, black crappie, and smallmouth bass.

Guests often enjoy fishing directly from our docks, where all five species can be caught. For those wanting to reach deeper water, our 16 ft rental boat and complimentary rowboats, canoes, and kayaks make it easy to move around the lake.

The stream that connects Brereton Lake to the Rennie River provides another fantastic option just a jaunt from your cottage, suite, cabin, or chalet. We’ve encouraged catch-and-release fishing in this stream for years to help maintain strong populations of northern pike and perch, with walleye occasionally found below the falls.

For a more wild outing, Mud Turtle Lake is well worth the effort. The combination of paddling Brereton and hiking a portage to this backcountry lake makes it a rewarding destination for anglers willing to make the trip.

Mud Turtle Lake offers a true fall adventure. The trip begins with a roughly hour-long paddle across Brereton Lake to the Mud Turtle portage. From there, a 45-minute hike leads you through a forest that glows with autumn colour before opening onto a secluded backcountry lake.

Make sure to bring a fishing rod. Fall fishing here can be excellent, particularly for northern pike and smallmouth bass. But the outing is more than just fishing. It’s the full experience that makes it memorable: paddling across the lake, carrying your canoe or kayak along the trail, and arriving somewhere that feels removed from everything else.

It’s a great destination where you can fully be present in nature.

Brereton Lake tends to feel quieter once summer winds down and fall takes hold. Leaves begin to change and drop, and you can paddle along the shoreline at your own pace as the landscape shifts from green to gold.

Not far from your doorstep is the stream that leads toward the Rennie River, which offers a peaceful route where you can immerse yourself in the season. Along this stretch, you may notice ducks lifting off the water, deer stepping out along the banks, or the mini falls along the stream.

For those looking for a more rugged outing, Mud Turtle Lake begins with a paddle across Brereton Lake before continuing on foot through the forest, eventually reaching the lake itself. From there, you can paddle Mud Turtle Lake and enjoy the stillness that fall often brings.

Guests receive complimentary use of our canoes, kayaks, pedal boats, and rowboats, making it easy to get out on the water while the season lasts.

As the season shifts into fall, the trails near the resort remain a beautiful way to unwind and explore the outdoors. With cooler temperatures and the changing of the landscape, fall is one of the best times to hike or bike the trails.

The section of the Trans Canada Trail that runs past the resort remains a favourite in the fall.

Many guests head toward Cabin Lake, making the full route approximately 18.6 km out-and-back (9.3 km one way). The first 4.7 km are suitable for both hiking and biking and lead to a bridge overlooking the Rennie River. This is a natural turnaround point for those not completing the full distance.

Beyond the bridge, the remaining 4.6 km continues toward Cabin Lake and is designated for hiking only. With leaves changing and thinning as the season progresses, views along this stretch can open up in a way they don’t in summer.

As the season shifts, the Inverness Trails take on a whole new look. Winding through a Red Pine Plantation, the forest floor is covered in fallen needles while the surrounding trees turn shades of gold and orange. It’s a great spot for a hike or bike ride, with colourful views and that unmistakable fall feeling in the Whiteshell.

Beginning from Chalet Road, the 1 km River Trail follows the Rennie River and is an easy way to travel through the fall colours. The river becomes a gathering place for ducks and geese as they prepare for their journey south, and it’s common to hear their calls across the water. As leaves begin to fall, views of the river and shoreline open up through the trees, making wildlife and water movement easier to see.

If you feel like extending your hike, the River Trail connects to the 4.3 km Amisk Trail loop. This trail begins along the river before weaving through forest and rocky outcroppings, with interpretive signs that share stories of the area’s natural and cultural history.

Both trails are designated for hiking only.

Fall evenings call for a fire. Our two riverside bonfire areas sit beside the water, giving you a place to settle in once the sun goes down. Bring a sweater and a thermos of something warm to drink, and listen to the quiet sounds of nature as the fire burns nearby.

Wildlife is especially active as fall approaches and temperatures begin to cool. The river becomes a gathering place for geese, ducks, and swans as they prepare for their journey south. Their calls carry across the water, especially in the early morning as they move through the area before continuing their migration.

As the trees lose their leaves later in the season, the trails and the surrounding landscape become easier to see through the forest. Grouse move through the brush, while owls and hawks are often spotted overhead. Deer and foxes are frequently seen along the forest edge, and on quieter days, you may even come across raccoons or porcupines moving through the trails.

Fall colour doesn’t only come from the trees. Along the roadsides, trails, and wetter areas around the resort, small pops of colour continue to appear through the season.

You may notice patches of goldenrod standing out in open areas, or soft purple joe pye weed growing in damp ground near the shoreline and along low-lying areas. Asters also appear later in the season, adding small hints of blue and purple to the landscape as summer fades into fall.

If you’re out walking or driving through the area, these are small details that add to the feel of the season. To see what may be blooming during your stay, explore our Wildflower Guide.

While there’s plenty to fill your days right here at the resort, a short drive opens up even more of what fall in Whiteshell Provincial Park has to offer.

Fishing: In the Whiteshell, you’re never far from a great fishing spot. Within 30 to 45 minutes, you can reach nearly all of the park’s road-accessible lakes. Our Guest Information Package includes a helpful guide to Whiteshell lakes and the fish species found in each, along with a list of great offshore fishing locations to explore.

Alfred Hole Goose Sanctuary: Alfred Hole is especially active in the fall as geese gather before heading south. The 2.5 km trail offers wildlife viewing, and the interpretive centre provides information about the sanctuary’s history and the biology of the geese.

Jessica Lake Trails: Three loop trails (1.8 km, 2.2 km, and 3.4 km) wind through forest and over sections of the Canadian Shield, offering a beautiful hike through the Whiteshell landscape.

Sturgeon Falls Trail / Whiteshell River Suspension Bridge: The trail is a 4.2km out-and-back hike that leads to the rushing rapids at Sturgeon Falls. About 0.5 km into the trail, you’ll reach the Whiteshell River Suspension Bridge, a popular stop to watch the water move below before continuing toward the falls.

McGillivray Falls Trail: McGillivray Falls offers a shorter 2.8 km loop with a higher viewpoint over the lake, or a longer 4.6 km loop that leads closer to the shoreline and picnic areas near the water.