MANITOBA
LAKE WINNIPEG STARTING TO PRODUCE MEGA GIANT GREENBACKS!
MATT HOBSON-ICEBOUND EXCURSIONS
Lake Winnipeg South Basin Report:
We are still not seeing the numbers we did last year, but the big fish are moving in anywhere from five feet of water out to 20 feet. The big change from the last report is we are seeing them school up and move throughout the day. Whether you prefer to set-up camp and wait for them to come through or chase them down, with the movement we’re seeing on our Humminbird Mega 360, either option could lead to your best day on the ice.
KRIS GUANE – GAUNEFISHIN
I’ve been fishing Lake Winnipeg for about 12 years and guiding on Lake Winnipeg for 2 years and every year presents new challenges. This year we had a lot warmer temperatures than usual which caused for a late freeze up. When the lake did start to freeze, there were high winds which caused cracks in the ice, the width of two football fields.
With a late start to the season the ice finally locked up around the 2nd week of January. It was then go-time for greenbacks! Usually, the first place I look on this big lake is the mouths of the rivers and creek channels, this is where you will find moving water current and the walleyes. This pays off most mornings for the first couple hours, usually catching two or three large walleye and a handful of medium sized fish. Around 10:00 a.m. most days the shallow bite tapers off. Then it’s time to run and gun, drill some holes and look for BAIT!
I drill a lot of holes looking for bait fish in deep and shallow water. I will then toss the transducer down and look up to 50 – 60 feet away in a full 360 with my Garmin LiveScope. My hope is to see bait clouds or scattered bait fish. A lot of times it will show the walleye swimming under the bait and/or chasing the bait.
Some days they can be finicky so I will usually throw a rattle bait down one hole and a smaller spoon down the other tipped with a live or salted minnow. Over the last two weeks with this warmer weather the walleyes have been pretty aggressive on the rattle baits. Pink has been the hot colour.
NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO
TOM ARMSTRONG – THUNDER BAY & AREA
Winter finally appears to have arrived in Northwestern Ontario. After an incredibly balmy winter this far, we are finally seeing some cold and snow. I have plowed my driveway a total of three times this winter, and have had very few truly cold days. It is snowing now, and this weekend the temps are dropping, but it has been an incredibly pleasant winter thus far. I’m certainly grateful for it, being a winter where we can’t do a whole lot, at least it’s pleasant being outside!
I’ve been kept busy with a changing work schedule, and life with a toddler, but I’ve managed to sneak out a couple times recently. We spent a day on lake Superior, looking for whitefish and herring, and had a great day on the ice. Then we’ve snuck out to a nearby stocked brook trout lake, more exploring than fishing with my little girl. She loves being outside, riding the skidoo, playing with minnows, and holding a fishing rod, so I’m trying to encourage this as best I can. I’ll hopefully be out chasing lake trout soon, and will hopefully have some big winter trout to report on in the coming Hooked reports!
Jay Siemens has been busy posting video of his fishing adventures near his home town of Kenora, Ontario. He recently got into some massive northern pike. Jay does a great job of explaining how to set up tip-ups for trophy fish.
GLENN MCDONALD- VERMILLION BAY AND AREA
The past couple weeks have seen crazy weather patterns through most of Northwestern Ontario. Minus 25 and clear to zero with snow and rain. Crazy fishing weather to say the least. Overall most of the reports I hear have been of slower fishing for all species.
Crappie fishing has been slow throughout the region. On Cedar Lake the bite has been very erratic. Wabigoon Lake, a lake becoming famous in the area for exceptionally large crappie has been slow as well. Someone who made the best out of a slow crappie bite was good buddy, Lonnie Lundmark of Dryden. While fishing for crappie he hooked into a tank of a walleye.
Caught on an ultralight panfish rod, with a Northland Tackle Buckshot spoon, tipped with a minnow head. Once he managed to get her through the hole he was astonished at the size of her. Measuring out to 31 ¼” makes it a trophy by any standards. After a quick photo, back she went and Lonnie commented “Hope to catch her in the Dryden Walleye Master’s” in June. Congrats on a great catch and practicing CPR!
Trout fishing has been average for anglers through this recent full moon period. Myself, along with brother in law, Richard Madussi spent a weekend chasing Laker’s. Exploring some new areas and seldom fished spots on well known lakes, we were met with some success. On one lake, armed with new colours from Drop Tine Tackle we were able to catch nice “eaters” The new ‘Red Velvet’ colour Hunger Strike tube was a popular colour. On another lake we struck out on a new spot but saved the day by returning to a well known area. Richard was able to pull up some respectable lakers to finish our weekend.
Cody Szachury had himself a great weekend, also trying new waters. Catching some beautiful laker’s on a pink/white Hunger Strike tube from Drop Tine Tackle. Any time you fish new water and come away with big lakers is a win.
Unfortunately this weekend is forecast for a cold front to move into the area. The hardened fishermen will be out, but for most the cold will be too much to handle. Looking forward to the following weekend, the Family Day long weekend, let all hope we can get out and enjoy some fishing.
ON THE ROAD FISHING REPORT WITH JEFF GUSTAFSON
I’m down in Florida getting ready for the Elite Series season to get started next week at the St. John’s River. I like to get down here a little early to break in my new boat and get back in the groove. I picked up Dustin Byfuglien in Minnesota on my way south…he was a great help for the big drive, and we spent a few days in the boat together.
We arrived in nice weather but we got hit with a cold front earlier in the week and it’s been actually really chilly. Even still, it’s nice to be in the boat!
The new truck and boat wrap turned out nice and everything on the boat is working great. I’m ready to get the season started and catch some fish! Stay warm everybody!
SASKATCHEWAN
ROGER GERE – SOUTHEAST SASKATCHEWAN
I headed out to the Qu’Appelle chain of lakes to try and track down some cisco. While I caught a few the fishing overall was slow. I did manage to land a massive pike though, as and added bonus! It measured just over 43 inches. Sue and I will head back to Lake of the Prairies for the weekend, though reports are that the bite has slowed there as well.
Guide Clayton Schick has been busy on the ice. Check out his latest video on catching big pike on tip-ups, some incredible underwater footage!
TOBIN LAKE
Pike fishing has been decent on the southern flats on the eastern end of this large reservoir. Most fish are coming on tip-ups in five to ten feet of water. Those fishing for walleye have been fishing the edge of the main river channel in 18 to 21 feet of water. Catches have slowed but there have been lots of perch, pike and sauger thrown in with the walleye.
LAST MOUNTAIN LAKE
The walleye bite on the Mountain has slowed right down. Ice conditions are a bit iffy in spots as well. Anglers are seeing fishing on their underwater cameras but the bite is tough. Many are still cleaning up after hurricane force winds destroyed ice shacks on the lake in January.
ALBERTA
WES DAVID – FISHING THE WILD WEST TV
Fishing is a fun and affordable way for families and friends to spend time together in Alberta’s outdoors. During Alberta’s Family Fishing Weekends, Albertans and visitors are encouraged to spend time on some of Alberta’s greatest natural resources. Enjoy our lakes, rivers, streams, and reservoirs, without purchasing an Alberta Sportfishing License. One of these free fishing weekends is during the Family Day long weekend, February 13-15, 2021.
Please note, as you enjoy your time on the hard water, although you don’t need a 2021 Alberta Sportfishing License to fish during the Family Day weekend, all other Alberta Sportfishing regulations must be followed. Be safe and enjoy your time on the hard water with family and friends.
I am always cruising the web looking for content for our readers. I found one that covers fishing in Alberta. Alberta Angling features the Richardson Brother’s and their fishing adventures to Alberta’s beautiful lakes and rivers.
WES DAVID’S WILD COOKHOUSE
Gravlax Rainbow Trout
Gravlax is an easy and simple way of dry curing a variety of fish species but most commonly used and my favourite fish to use is rainbow trout. The recipe shown below is the most basic Gravlax recipe and once mastered you can begin to personalize it by adding your own spices and even Vodka to the mix.
Depending on the size of the rainbow trout filets being used will determine how much of the ingredients are used. The recipe below is for 2-pounds of fish filets.
- 2 filets deboned and (skin on). You may have to pull rib bones out with tweezers or a small pair of kitchen pliers.
- ¼ cup of fine sea salt
- ¼ cup of sugar
- 1 tablespoon of black pepper
- Optional: ¼ cup of chopped dill
- In a bowl, combine the salt, sugar, and pepper.
- Lay the filets on a large cookie sheet or pan skin side down and thoroughly cover the flesh of both filets with the curing mixture.
- Lay the 2-filets on top of each other flesh-to-flesh and tightly plastic-wrap both filets together (flash-to flesh).
- Place the 2-filets plastic-wrapped filets on a plate or cookie sheet and place another plate or cookie sheet on top covering the fish filets and weight the top covering down with just enough weight to lightly press down on the filets. Place in the fridge to chill for 12 to 14 hours.
- Remove from the fridge and drain all liquid from the plate or cookie sheet flip the filets over so the bottom one is now on the top, cover, weight, and place back in the fridge for 12-hours or overnight.
- The fish is now cured but after the second refrigeration, I like to remove and rinse the excess salt off the filets and leave the filets to dry on the counter for 6-hours. (Optional)
- When ready to eat, using a sharp knife thinly slice the Gravlax filets against the grain.
You now have thinly sliced Gravlax filets that can be used on a variety of dishes making you look like a gourmet chef!
Examples where Gravlax slices can be used: Appetizers, Breakfast/lunch Bagel, Poached Eggs, and anything you can think of.
FOR MORE GREAT RECIPES FROM THE WES DAVID COOKHOUSE CLICK HERE