MANITOBA
The new Manitoba Angling regulations have taken effect on April 1st. There are some pretty dramatic changes for this year. Angling for pike, bass, crappies and several other species are open all year round.
Changes include new angling licence types and fees, such as a new one-day angling licence; licence exemptions for seniors and active military members and veterans who reside in Manitoba; and the ability to carry your angling licence electronically. Additional changes include new possession limits and size restrictions, and area and species-specific closures to protect spawning fish.
If you would like to get up-to-date on the new regulations you can download the pdf of the 2023 Manitoba Anglers Guide here.
THE MIGHTY BURBOT
If you like catching big hard-fighting fish that also taste amazing, then the burbot is for you! Cross Bay on Cedar Lake has been producing some absolute beasts this year. Moak Lodge is open during the winter and is a great place to stay while chasing these great sport fish. Hard core angler Cory Huyghe has caught some monsters in the last couple of weeks. With the new sport fishing regulations you are not allowed to keep any burbot over 70 centimetres.
WEST SHOAL LAKE SPECTACULAR
If there has been one great angling story this year it just might be West Shoal Lake. It has been kicking out massive yellow perch all winter long. Access is a bit of an issue still as people who have been driving on with their vehicles are getting stuck at a high rate. Tracked vehicles are still recommended. Check out this beauty landed by Cole Goolcharan
NEW CRAPPIE REGULATIONS IN EFFECT
With the new Manitoba Angling regulations, most fish species have reduced limits and size restrictions. These will protest the larger adult female spawning fish. For example in Manitoba all crappies 35 centimetres or larger must be released and you are allowed to keep six fish for your limit.
BIG PIKE ON THE MOVE
With the pike season remaining open year round, this is a great time to target pre spawn fish as they move up on the flats, points and bays to get ready for the spring fling. Roger and Sue Geres have been putting their time in on Lake of the Prairies as usual. While access has been a bit of an issue Roger says with a week of warmer weather coming up the bite should really ramp up. Roger tells anglers to look after those big pre spawn pike. He warns not to hold fish vertically and get them released ASAP! With the new regulations you have to release all pike over 75 centimetres. (just under 30 inches)
NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO – GUSSY GETS A SHORT REST!
By Jeff Gustafson
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SASKATCHEWAN
Just like Alberta the season is closed except for some stocked trout water. Season opener in the southern section opens on May 5th with the Central section on May 15th. The latest Angling Guide is on line at https://www.saskatchewan.ca/residents/parks-culture-heritage-and-sport/hunting-trapping-and-angling/angling
ALBERTA – WES DAVID Fishing the Wild West TV
April can be a very tough month for Alberta anglers. With the exception of a few stocked trout waterbodies across Alberta that remain open, (also depending on the ice thickness) unfortunately, the 2023 ice fishing season is over. The Alberta sports show season is complete and all that is really left to do is clean up your ice fishing gear and put it back into storage until the next ice fishing season. April can often leave an angler with a very empty feeling and me with very little to report.
However, anglers can begin thinking about bringing their boat out of storage and gearing it up for the new fair-weather fishing season. I always go through my fishing tackle, and as I watch my favourite NHL hockey team continue to lose and move further out of playoff contention, I channel my frustration into tying walleye bottom-bouncing spinner baits for the coming season.
Many outdoor enthusiasts will begin to focus on the spring snow goose migration, spring black bear hunting season or planning their spring and summer fishing adventures. Which reminds me, while you’re planning your spring and summer fishing adventures, be sure to enter the Hooked Magazine and Nordic Lodge fishing Giveaway. I will also be at Nordic Lodge at the same time as the lucky winners shooting an episode of Fishing the Wild West TV at the same time the winning anglers are there and just maybe the lucky winners will make a cameo appearance on the episode.
Scan the QR code above or click here to enter this amazing fishing giveaway. Enter now and let’s go fishing at Nordic Lodge in beautiful northern Saskatchewan! https://www.hookedmagazine.ca/win-a-trip-to-nordic-lodge-with-wes-david-host-of-fishing-the-wild-west-tv/