MANITOBA
With the new fishing season scheduled to open in southern Manitoba tomorrow, there will be many challenges for those hoping to wet a line. Extremely dry conditions in almost all of the province have forced the province to close all backcountry travel below the 53rd parallel. Do your homework before you decide where you are going to fish opening day of fishing season. Here is the link to the provincial website with the latest restrictions.https://www.gov.mb.ca/sd/fire/Restrictions/index.html
The good news is that the fishing from shore for stocked trout has been spectacular. With an extended cooler spring, the stocked trout bite in this province was as good as it has been for years. The fun part, almost all the fish were caught from shore. Friend Phil Paczkowski from Roblin had an incredible streak. In two days of fishing in Twin Lakes in the Duck Mountains, he caught and released 25 Master Angler tiger trout.
He then tied the lake record rainbow on Beautiful Lake with a fish that measured 28.5 inches. Phil said he used trout paste for the tiger trout and Lindy Rigs with nightcrawlers for the rainbows. Manitoba and the many user groups have worked hard to develop world class stocked trout fishing in this province. And there is more good news on the way. In a news release issued today the Manitoba government announced that it is investing more than $800,000 to help sustain the province’s world-class fisheries.
Agriculture and Resource Development Minister Blaine Pedersen:
“Our fisheries are an incredible resource that are important to Manitobans, and also play a large role in our rural communities and tourism sector,” said Pedersen. “More people than ever are out enjoying our lakes and rivers, but we must be proactive in managing our fisheries with the added pressure.”
The province has committed an additional $600,000 for wildlife and fisheries management, which will be dedicated in 2021-22 to Manitoba fisheries to support enhanced monitoring and data collection. The enhanced data collection will be targeted toward high-use recreational angling lakes and mixed-use fisheries that support domestic fishing, recreational angling and commercial harvest. The data collected will also help support the eco-certification of commercial fisheries and ensure that Manitoba’s fisheries continue to be managed sustainably.
An additional $250,000 investment has also been made for a new fish hatchery stocking truck. The new truck features an improved tank configuration that will allow for more efficient and flexible stocking operations while reducing emissions.
“Each year, Manitoba stocks close to 100 waterbodies with tens of millions of walleye fry and almost 500,000 trout from its hatcheries,” said Pedersen. “It is estimated that every $1 invested in stocking supports up to $40 in economic activity.”
For more information on Manitoba’s fisheries, including the Lake Information for Anglers website, visit www.manitobafisheries.com.
CATFISH A GREAT OPENING DAY OPTION!
Another great option is to head out to the Red or Assiniboine rivers and fish for channel catfish from shore or boat. If you want to learn how to catch these fish from one of the best in the business check out this story from Todd Longley who owns Cats on the Red guide service.
NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO
GLENN MCDONALD
VERMILLION BAY AND AREA
As we reach the final hours before the official start of open water walleye season, I want to look back on the past couple weeks in northwestern Ontario. I reached out to avid angler and pro guide out of Andy Meyers Lodge in Vermilion Bay, Treven Ouellet. I could rephrase what he sent me but I think he says it best. This is what a guide can do for you folks, this is high level teaching and focus on success.
I asked if I could share some of his recent photos and asked if he could give the readers an idea of his techniques and gear.
Hey Glenn, Sure can, for the first picture measuring out to be 35.50″ on the muskie bump, was using a 4.5 inch Kalins Jerk Albino shad on a 3/8 long shank chartreuse jig head drifting with the wind and flipping it into wind and slowing ripping it back to the boat in 12 feet of water. I was using a 7 foot St.Croix heavy power fast action rod, with Sufix 10 pound braid and a 12 pound 1.5 foot fluorocarbon leader tied with a union knot.
The second picture is a heavy 36 inch fish on the muskie bump. I was again soaking off shore with a safe live release, using an 8ft St. Croix bait casting medium power rod, with a 1/2 ounce weight, swivel and a 2ft 15 pound fluorocarbon leader. I use a Circle hook for a gentle hook set, and a 6 inch cisco, then boat to drop the lines out approximately 60 yards of shore in 30 feet of water. You want the cisco sit on the bottom for a trout to come pick up the bait. Wait for a bite! With a loose drag, wait for the line to load up, then tighten the drag right before your hook set. Let the fish pull first before you set the hook and hang on for a wicked fight.
The 3rd picture was a 35 inch trout on the muskie bump board. I was again soaking a six inch cisco offshore, using the boat to run the line out, in 10 feet of water over sand grass. This time I was using a orange float above the size 6 circle hook to keep the cisco above the sand grass. It was anchored with a 1/4 ounce weight and 1.5 foot 15 pound fluorocarbon leader and a swivel to keep the line from twisting up while battling the trout. Again, using the same hook set technique and using a long handled Beckman landing net to land the fish from shore
While soaking a cisco you can also have a chance catching Monster pike as well, using the same techniques, and I was able to reel this Mega pike in and have a safe live release too!
I would like to thank Treven for the amazing photos and pro tips. Treven is fast becoming one of Eagle Lake premier multi-species anglers. I look forward to seeing him to share more success stories from this upcoming season. Go give him a follow on social media, he deserves all the recognition he can get!
BATTERIES AND BEARINGS
Now is the time to check the batteries in your boat. Make sure they are fully charged and load test them. If you do not have a proper load tester go to your marine shop or auto repair shop. They will have the proper tester to load test the batteries and tell you if they are capable of sustaining a heavy load. It is cheap and will give you an accurate idea of the health of your batteries.
Spring is a good time to check the bearings on your boat trailer. If you are not comfortable, or able to do so, you should seek professional help. An auto shop can check the bearings, repack with fresh grease, or replace if necessary. Many anglers neglect their trailer which can lead to costly repairs. Nothing will ruin a fishing trip faster than a wheel bearing coming apart at highway speed. Play it safe and have it inspected.
WALLEYE SEASON OPENS IN SUNSET COUNTRY!
Walleye season opens Saturday May 15 in Sunset Country! Good luck to all the anglers heading out this weekend and look for walleye content in the next couple fish reports!
Keep your tip up folks!
SASKATCHEWAN
The walleye bite in the province is starting to heat up with warmer weather arriving. Anglers on Last Mountain have been catching shallow fish using slop bobbers. Friend Jared Reiss has been out with his friend Moose on the middle of this lake on shallow rock spawning shoals. Moose landed the biggest walleye of the day, measuring 28.5 inches.
SOUTHEASTERN SASKATCHEWAN
BRAD GRAHAM
While many anglers in the wheat province have been out chasing early season walleye, with warmer weather on the way, carp fishing in southern Saskatchewan will come into it’s own. Rob Schulz, who owns and operates G&S Marina Outfitters along with his wife Donna, was one of the pioneers in the sport in Saskatchewan.
Check out more on Rob and carp fishing in the province here.
ALBERTA
Wes David, Fishing the Wild West television
Alberta Fishing Report
Alberta trout ponds are being stocked as we read this Hooked Magazine Fishing Report. Last year Albertans spent more time fishing Alberta’s stocked trout ponds than ever before. Due to COVID-19, Alberta residents, like everyone across Canada had a variety of travel restrictions, business, and school restrictions. Unfortunately, even our kid’s summer sporting events were put on hold. Alberta’s stocked trout ponds became a safe haven and introduced or reintroduced many Albertans of all ages to the sport of fishing.
There are a wide variety of stocked trout ponds scattered across Alberta. Many of these ponds are stocked more than once throughout the year with multiple trout species. The majority of trout ponds are stocked between mid-April and mid-June. Some of Alberta’s trout ponds are even stocked a second or even third time in September.
Stocked trout ponds provide hours of fishing entertainment and are an important part of Alberta’s conservation programs.
FISHING PRESSURE INTENSE
Alberta is the fourth-largest populated province with only 800 lakes/reservoirs within the province. During 2020 there were 327,547 Alberta resident fishing licenses sold and 54,456 of those licenses were sold to new anglers!
It’s easy to see that our stocked trout ponds take a great deal of fishing pressure off other Alberta waterbodies. Stocked trout ponds are free to access.
Anglers between the ages of 16 and 65 still need to purchase an Alberta sportfishing license to fish the trout ponds and all Alberta sportfishing regulations must be followed.