Author: Don Lamont

It’s almost a week ago that the walleye starting showing up in numbers on the Red River from the main lake to Lockport. While anglers fishing closer to the lake have been having success for about two weeks, in the last few days with the lousy weather those fish have moved up to the traditional areas closer to the locks. Stretches of river like “Doc Reeds”, the Power Plant and the “Miracle Mile”, legendary over the years for their mind numbing catches of green hued walleye.  Over the last few years the run has started a bit later, usually the…

BOATERS REMINDED STOPPING IS REQUIRED AT MANITOBA INSPECTION STATIONS – – – Travel Authorization May Be Required To Get Boat to Winter Storage Manitoba boaters and anyone transporting any watercraft in the province are required by law to pull over and stop at aquatic invasive species (AIS) inspection stations, Sustainable Development Minister Cathy Cox said today. “As we near the end of open water season, we ask that Manitobans take extra precaution to ensure they are not transporting aquatic invasive species when moving watercrafts,” said Cox.  “The best and most effective measures to reduce the spread of AIS come from…

We all dream of becoming something cool when we grow up. I was no different. When I was a young lad I knew one day I’d be working in the fishing industry. Even before I could afford to buy my own boat I spent years fishing the shore lines of the Red River for channel cats and green back walleye. When I had some money I would rent boats out in the Whiteshell looking for northern pike and walleye. I would hang out at different tackle stores and learn as much as I could about fishing in all aspects. I…

Spring is a pinnacle time for any angler looking for an epic bite. Within a common thirty day window, from mid-May to mid-June, there are various species throughout our province that consistently indulge in insistent feeding patterns. For the inquisitive fly fisher, this is an overwhelming occasion to pursue a variety of appealing angling opportunities that offer favourable numbers of quality fish and the alluring prospect to sight cast in shallow water. With the end of May at my doorstep, I took a welcomed opportunity to head to the Eastern Region with the hopes of chasing the annual run of…

The nature of living well in Manitoba is a lot about having as much fun in our brief summers as you possibly can. For many of us, the perfect summer day is hitting the beach with family in tow. To me the only way to make a lazy summer day at the beach better is mixing in some fast and furious walleye catching. I first got onto this amazing beach pattern about 6 years ago. We were at my wife’s family cottage near Grand Beach. We were set up on the sand with our toddler having a great time when…

I’ve put in more time exploring and scanning google maps for potential Carp hot spots then I care to divulge (winters are long). Progressing into hot summer days devoted to driving, hiking and scouring beaches in search of Carp tails. Occasionally hitting pay dirt and other times stumbling onto nude beaches with my waders on and fly rod in hand. I don’t have a photo to prove it but somewhere out there are two old wrinkly white guys telling the story of “The guy said he was looking for Carp, Carp?!?!?” The last two people on earth I wanted to…

Knowledge is power, and data is the key to sustainability Lake Sturgeon are present in several locations across Manitoba. They have been hammered by humans for hundreds of years, almost to the point of extirpation. I would like to convey in this article how fisheries research, when done thoroughly and timely, can lead to potential positive change. I will talk about the Manitoba section of the Winnipeg River, since it shows this ‘concept’ rather nicely and is also the area that I have the most hands on experience in. In 2006 the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in…

I could come up with an excuse to pretty much go and target any fish I can think of, I’m not prejudiced and if it bites on hook and line I want to catch it. My wife often laughs at my justifications: “We’re going to need some for tomorrow’s catfish trip,” or “It’s been five days since I’ve fished,” to “This is the first nice day in weeks,” or “Remember that 18 inch goldeye you caught that night? I still have to beat it!” All valid reasons to go fishing, right? Some refer to goldeye as “mini tarpon” as they…

If you like to dress like a fool, clear a place in your heart and build a closet in your garage. The fashion police are not welcome on or near the water, and so the fishing outfit has evolved beyond the pocketed vest. Less about self-expression and more about survival, I have experienced shore lunches that could cause the average waistband to fail. I believe that function comes first, but also that the senses of an angler are so refined that they can’t help but make a fashion statement. Neil Young sings about a time when “people wore what they…

It was two winters ago down at the St Paul Ice Fishing Show, when I really started to pay attention to the Jigging Rapala as an open water lure. I mentioned to some of the top pros down there about watching friend Al Lindner catching all kinds of fish on this lure during the summer months on his television program, “The Angling Edge”. Jeff Gustafson mentioned that the top pros had been using this lure on the walleye circuit for years when nothing else would catch fish. Since that time lots of videos and articles have been written on the…