MANITOBA
Are temperatures finally going to come to come back to normal? Everyone, including those of us who love to get outside, are sure hoping so. The massive Polar Vortex that has been holding us hostage for two weeks, seems to be finally loosening its grip.
Matt Hobson, who owns and operates Icebound Excursions has been busy out on Lake Winnipeg in his SnoBears. He has this report.
With the extreme cold in the province over the last couple of weeks, the ice fishing effort has dropped off considerably. Anglers who managed to set up permanent shacks before the cold hit, have been able to fish in heated comfort. In fact, more and more are spending the money on large portable ones, like the Ice Castle and Yetti, just to name two of the largest manufactures. These units supply all the comforts of home, including a kitchen and television.
FISHING IN MINUS 40!
KRIS GAUNE-gaunefishin
February fishing has definitely been interesting this year to say the least. I have been on Lake Winnipeg for the last 3 weeks and the frigid 40 below temperatures have put everything to the test, my Yetti, my equipment and my commitment to find fish.
I found most days the fish were just as unimpressed with the weather as much as I was. The walleye were finicky, not eating and few and far between. Moving my Yetti fish house to find hungry walleye was the easy part. With the heat in the track truck and numerous spots that produce fish, I moved every couple of days, sometimes twice a day. My equipment however, was what gave me the most troubles.
For those who have been able to get out, the cold-water species like lake whitefish, lake trout and cisco have been providing some good angling opportunities. Friend Robyn Grant and her partner Robert Karpiak spent last weekend at Big Whiteshell Lake. They were rewarded with several Master Angler fish.
Clear Lake whitefish are still biting with a few big pike thrown in the mix. Crappie fishing has slowed in the Whiteshell, but a few fish are still being caught.
Clayton Schick continues to roll out the videos. This is a laker episode from the north was shot at Cranberry Portage before the border closure.
LAKE OF THE PRAIRES
Roger and Sue Gere only made it out a couple times because of the extreme conditions. Roger said the fishing was slow except for the last 45 minutes before dark. They did manage to land some small walleye and pike. Roger said one of the highlights of the evening was a visit by a crayfish!
NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO
GLENN MCDONALD
The recent deep freeze across most of central Canada has made enjoying the outdoors all but impossible. However some hardy anglers have had the nerve to head out fishing. While conditions have been brutal to say the least, some of the catches have been fantastic.
THIS ANGLER STAYED INDOORS
My most recent outing was at the beginning of the cold snap, which seems like a lifetime ago. Trout fishing is a favorite winter pastime of mine. Exploring new areas is always a great adventure, following age old trapper trails way into the backwoods. My last trip was just that, clearing brush to access lakes not fished by many. Although we did not find the big lakers, we found plenty of them.
The past couple weeks has seen me behind the computer writing articles for the upcoming Hooked Magazine. I write about my favorite species, the hybrid or tiger musky. Look for the new issue out soon.
THESE ANGLERS BRAVED THE COLD
Not all of us stayed indoors during the cold weather. Harley Read was able to fish lakes easily accessed by walking out for Highway 17. Using information from the Ontario Fish ON-Line tool, many lakes can be found with super easy access. In this case Harley was fishing a lake with stocked splake trout. Using google eye jigs tipped with minnows he was able to find splake up shallow that were willing to bite. Harley said most of the fish were up in water shallower than ten feet. He and his fishing partner were able to bring home some real nice eaters. Nice work Harley!
Danny Herbeck is no stranger to fishing in Northwestern Ontario, being one of the area’s top guides. Earlier this week Danny and his wife, Brittney had a fishing date to celebrate Brittney’s birthday. What a date it was, Brittney was able to catch a beautiful birthday gift, a heavy set 29” walleye.
Danny told me it hit a jig and minnow suspended around 20’ down over 35’ of water. Not to be outdone, Danny caught a tank of his own. Although his tactics are slightly less conventional. Using a Savage Gear 3d Burbot musky lure Danny was able to jig up a beauty of a walleye. Again the walleye were suspending over deeper water. Great catches, and great to see couples out together.
A big change has finally brought warmer weather in for the weekend. The lakes should be busy, as should the bait and tackle shops. I hope everyone has a great weekend and good luck out there anglers.
www.facebook.com/54orbust
SASKATCHEWAN
Anglers have been fairly stationary on the large waters in the province like Last Mountain and Tobin Lake, enjoying the warmth of the permanent shacks. A few hardcore anglers have been moving around but extreme cold temperatures dampen the enthusiasm! Last Mountain guide Layne Thayer did find some big fish recently on the mountain.
Layne is gearing up for March big pike guiding on the Mountain. Check out his facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/mtnmanoutdoors/
ALBERTA
Time to Renew Your Outdoor Membership
Wes David
I will be honest, with the -39 Celsius cold snap that covered the prairie provinces during the last two weeks, including over the Family Day long weekend, my focus was more on staying warm than it was on ice fishing. I was reminded of the numerous hunting and fishing clubs and associations across Canada that would have had Family Day ice fishing events that couldn’t take place this year not because of the cold snap, but due to COVID-19 restrictions. Hunting and fishing clubs and association members dedicate hundreds if not thousands of man-hours organizing events to promote hunting, fishing, and conservation, so that we and future generations can enjoy the outdoors and outdoor sports for years to come. I took advantage of the cold weather and renewed my membership to my local hunting and fishing association, and I hope this serves as a friendly reminder to renew your local club’s/association membership.