Author: Don Lamont

MANITOBA Water, water everywhere. Combine that with cold temperatures, and it could be one of the worst fishing openers every. As is the case, there are some fish being caught but caution is strongly advised on most rivers and tributaries. There is also a ton of debris dislodged with the high water. There have been some catfish caught in the Red and Assiniboine rivers but this action is from shore. Some of the trout lakes have been good. Check out this beauty rainbow caught by William Leefe in Kormans Lake. SMALLMOUTH BASS A GOOD OPTION If I had one species…

MANITOBA With a more rain in the forecast it is turning out to be one of the wettest springs on record. After reading about all the flooding in different parts of Manitoba, I decided to give my friend Dino Branfield a call. He lives on a farm just north of Morden. I try and plan one fishing a trip a year down to the that part of the world I wanted to find out how all this moisture was affecting that part of the province. Dino said when the snow melted it filled up Lake Minnewasta Reservoir three weeks ago.…

Manitoba spring smallmouth! Smallmouth location spring to early summer When you first get on the water this open season, the most important tool on your boat might be your electronics. Why is that? Smallmouth like to find warm water early in the year right up until they spawn around the 60 degrees Fahrenheit range. This could mean just a slight difference of two degrees. Most good electronics have a surface water temperature feature that let you know what you are dealing with. Look for wind protected, shallower bays early. It helps if they have some soft, dark bottom as well.…

MANITOBA Okay that is enough already! As we get hit by another Colorado low it is time to think of the ramifications of an extremely late spring for anglers in this part of the world. The first part is the most important, increased water levels are almost certain in our many lakes, rivers, and reservoirs. While the high water will flood shoreline areas and increase shallow structure the fish have access, it will also increase current flow. This means narrow spots will have good flow through them, concentrating fish. I call these flush areas and fish will set up behind…

NOW IS THE TIME! It may be a shed, workshop, laundry, dining, bedroom, what have you. And it may be all yours, but it can be more than the dank cave where fishing and hunting gear endures a long-suffering death. Let’s assume it is a garage, any refuge where you make all the noise. You alone decide who and what stays and goes. Eventually, the walls may start closing in with season after season of the essentials of every variety. So much potential. Endless possibilities at the ready. But where does that get you? Spring cleaning is a dangerous undertaking.…

NO SPRING IN SIGHT! I don’t know about you, but this winter has been one of the longest on record. I can’t remember one that I have had to spend so much time indoors. Now we have the storm of record proportions bearing down us, set to dump massive amounts of snow. With all of that I am thinking it might be a good April to visit the west coast. Outdoor writer and hardcore angler Dave Shmyr extended an invitation to come out and try some Vancouver Island bass fishing this past year and it is starting to look pretty…

MANITOBA The angling season in the southern section of the province closed this past week, marking one of the toughest access years ever. Record snowfall in this part of the world, combined with extreme cold temperatures made it an ice fishing season to forget. As we move into April there are still angling opportunities to be had in this province. Stocked trout lakes remain open for angling and the Duck Mountains has seen increased angler activity. Fishing in the northern divisions of the province do remain open until May 1st.  Many of the lodges keep their accommodations open during April…

THE MYSTERY OF FISH MOVEMENT ON LAKE WINNIPEG EDITOR’S NOTE- THIS IS THE SECOND ARTICLE IN A  THREE PART SERIES ON  THE RISE AND FALL OF FISH STOCKS IN LAKE WINNIPEG AND IT’S TRIBUTARIES. IN THE FIRST PART I RECOUNTED MY OWN EXPERIENCES WITH THE BIG LAKE AND ITS TRIBUARTIES. IN THE SECOND PART WE EXAMINE FISH MOVEMENT THROUGHOUT THE SYSTEM.   IN THE THIRD PART WE WILL DISCUSS WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS. Lake Winnipeg has undergone a number of environmental stresses over the last two decades. These include massive algae blooms, overharvest by commercial fishers, a die off of smelt…

MANITOBA LAKE WINNIPEG With the arrival of spring finally, the fishing success in this province is picking up. Lake Winnipeg, the prime destination for those who are after a walleye of a lifetime, has really come on in the last week. While access is still limited to tracked travel, there has been some great action. Both sides of the lake have been producing both numbers and large walleye. One problem that persists is the amount of snow and slush that is still around, especially close to shorelines. This has really made access difficult in many areas and if you want…

SPECTACULAR VIEWS AND BIG FISH The last two years has not been kind to northern outfitters and lodges. First there were travel restrictions to the north because of the pandemic, then last year fires affected many areas of the province. Now with a war in the Ukraine, gas prices have jumped through the roof. I had a chance to talk to a number of lodge operators recently about their challenges. THE GOOD NEWS Many of the remote lodges had already hauled in their supply of fuel over winter roads for their needs this open water season. This before the dramatic…