I couldn’t find any definitive answer for where Devil’s Island got its name, but it probably comes from an old Cree legend about Witiku, a malevolent spirit or cannibal figure. Considering how sudden storms and strong currents can easily tip a canoe, it makes sense. Later on, voyageurs and fishermen added their own warnings, swapping stories about lost boats, people disappearing, and strange lights over the water. One tale says a fisherman from Winnipeg went missing near the island in 1914, and all they found was his empty canoe. Even today, some locals still joke or warn that if you point at Devil’s Island, you won’t make it home.
The island also tends to appear and disappear on the horizon. Since the island is so low lying, it is easily hidden by waves and fog. Other times, when the sky is clear, it’s visible for kilometers, as if it’s decided to show itself for a while. That, too, gives it a mysterious feel.
Last weekend, my brother Caleb, my friend Michael, and I wanted to see it for ourselves. Friday morning, we made the 10-kilometer canoe ride to the island. It rained the entire time. By the time we got to the west side of the island, we were soaked and tired. We rigged a tarp on a dead tree to stay dry and just sat there listening to the rain.
By late afternoon, the sky cleared up. We found driftwood and got a fire going. The evening was calm and quiet. The sky turned deep purple as the sun set. The birds that inhabit the island had moved to the east side, letting us sit by the fire in peace.
Saturday morning’s weather was different. The sun was out, but the wind had picked up, and three-foot waves rocked our canoe as we paddled back. It was tough going, every wave reminding us that Lake Winnipeg isn’t just a lake—it’s more like an inland sea.
By the time we finally reached shore, we were tired out, sore, and more than a little relieved. Devil’s Island wasn’t an easy trip, but that’s exactly why it sticks with you. Between the history, the birds, the calm Friday evening, the rough morning, and the way the island seems to vanish and reappear with the water, it’s the kind of place you just don’t forget.
