GETTING READY FOR THE SEASON EDITION
As we transition from the ice to open water season it’s time to get the boat out of storage and get the tackle organized if you haven’t done so already. I have been doing the same ritual for over 40 years. Let’s start with the boat. In early November I added stabilizer to my gas in the boat for over the winter. I then add a bit in spring to get ready for the first trip of the year.
I have plugged in my onboard battery charger and charged my two trolling motor batteries and my starter battery for the engine. After that I hook up the garden hose and put the ear muffs on the bottom of the motor where the water intake is. After turning on the water I start the engine and let it run for five minutes, making sure it is spitting water out the top. If everything checks out I then make sure all my trailer lights are working and give the boat a thorough vacuum. Next I check air pressure on my trailer tires and make sure they are good.
MANITOBA
Now the big question, where to go on the first trip of the year. Since Manitoba implemented new angling regulations a couple of years ago I can fish for bass and other species like crappie year round. If in doubt check out the 2025 Manitoba Anglers Guide here.
My first choice would probably be big pike. Check out my article on spring fishing for pike on the website. I just posted it last week and gets you geared up and also lists some of my favourite spots across the prairies. One not listed on the there is Lac du Bonnet. That section of the river holds some massive pike. some as big as 47 inches in length. See this beauty that Matt Gelley landed below.
NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO
Hooked contributor and hardcore tournament angler Jamie Bruce lives near Kenora. He is also the guy that loves tech and products to make your on the water experience a whole lot easier. Last year while pre fishing for a tournament in the U.S. he got a valuable less on forward facing sonar from another competitor. Jamie also shares some of this other boating tips here in the story titled Tech Talk with Jamie Bruce.
SASKATCHEWAN
Anglers are gearing up for the opener on May 3rd in the southern part of the province. Rob Schulz who guides and operates G&S Marina Outfitters has been fishing Last Mountain Lake since he was knee high to a grasshopper. He knows where the big pike are when the season opens and one of his favourite ways to catch them is on a fly rod. Me too Rob!
I have fished with Rob quite a bit over the years and have had him as a guest on my TV show many times. One of my favourite shows though was for carp fishing on Last Mountain.
Check out Rob’s story on what you can expect when you head to the Mountain for these hard fighting fish.
ALBERTA – WES DAVID, FISHING THE WILD WEST TV
It is that time of the year again.
Over 240 Alberta trout ponds and lakes are being stocked with approximately 2.1 million hatchery-raised trout as we read this Hooked Magazine Fishing Report. These stocked trout ponds are scattered across Alberta, and many of the ponds and waterbodies are stocked more than once throughout the year. Some ponds are stocked with multiple trout species, like rainbow trout, tiger trout, brook trout, and even cutthroat trout, while others are strictly stocked with rainbow trout.
CHECK THE DESIGNATION
Some ponds or waterbodies are catch-and-keep, while others are designed to grow trophy trout. Check the Alberta Sportfishing Regulations for info and license requirements before you cast a line. Many of Alberta’s trout ponds are stocked between mid-April and mid-June, however, some of Alberta’s trout ponds are stocked a second or even third time in September.
While stocked trout ponds provide hours of fishing entertainment, they are also an important piece to the Alberta Conservation Association (ACA) conservation programs to maintain healthy fisheries and provide more fishing opportunities for Alberta residents. Not to mention, Alberta’s stocked trout ponds have become an important tool in introducing new and young anglers to the sport of fishing, conservation, and the outdoors.
Alberta stocked trout ponds are free to access and provide hours of fun for the whole family. They have also been referred to as some of the best shoreline fishing in the province. The link below will point you to the closest stocked trout pond in your area.
https://mywildalberta.ca/fishing/fish-stocking/stocking-maps.aspx