MANITOBA
It is transition time in this part of the world. The southern rivers are open and smaller potholes. Some suckers are being caught but we are about a week away from good open water.
One of my favourite trips each year is for early season crappies. Manitoba has many lakes that hold these feisty panfish and springtime can dynamite if you know what to look for.
WATER TEMPERATURE THE KEY!
When the water temperature is in the four Celsius range, crappie position on drop-offs near deeper water, especially if there is vegetation. These are areas near where they spent the winter. One of the key correlations for success is understanding that fish move on certain pathways to their shallow water spawning grounds. If you can figure out that road map, you will always find the fish no matter the water temperature.
Weather plays a factor in how the fish are positioned. On a cold windy day, they will hover close to the bottom. If it is a calm, sunny day they will become more active and move up higher in the water column. Crappies might not move shallower but just suspend.
FINDING AND CATCHING SUSPENDED FISH
On my Humminbird Helix 10, I will slowly motor along, using my side imaging to mark fish. Once I find a pod, I drop a waypoint by scrolling my cursor over to the exact spot the fish are at. I then move my boat over a short casting distance away and spotlock with my Minnkota Terrova. If there is wind blowing, make sure you are above the fish so you can cast downwind. Once that is accomplished countdown small lures to these fish or use a slipfloat. I like both methods and if there are two anglers in the boat, try both techniques to see which is most effective.
The critical part in this equation, getting your presentation at the right level. It should be slightly above the fish not below. Crappies love to move up to a bait, so correct depth control is a must!
CLOSER TO THE SPAWN
As we move into late May and early June and the water temperatures reach 15 Celsius (60 degrees) the crappies start thinking about spawning. This means a mass migration to shallow areas that offer cover. That could include logs, branches, cattails and rushes. Cover at this time of the year is critical to spawning success. Once shallow, crappies are in no hurry to leave. They can stay in these areas to the end of June, (and longer) depending on weather and water temperature. They can spook easily in this shallow water, so a quiet approach helps seal the deal.
NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO
The same holds across the Manitoba border into Ontario, a transition from ice to open water. In fact with more snowfall they might be just a bit further behind. Water levels are good on Lake of the Woods and the Winnipeg River which is good news for cottage owners.
SASKATCHEWAN
It’s the opening day of fishing season in the southern part of the province. Fishing the Wild West t.v. host Wes David has some early season advice.
If you have ever daydreamed about bow hunting and fishing at the same time, you can combine both passions in the spring of the year in the Fort Qu’ Appelle chain of lakes. Bow fishing for carp in the back bays is gaining in popularity. During the spring of the year, carp go into the back bays in extremely shallow water to spawn and can be bow-fished from a flat bottom boat or from the shoreline.
It is very inexpensive to set up an existing hunting bow for bow-fishing carp and there are countless shot opportunities, so it doesn’t take long for a new bow-fishing angler to get the hang of bow-fishing and to be successful. Carp are an invasive species so an added bonus to bow-fishing carp is you’re helping to eradicate this invasive species.
If you like catching carp with a rod and reel , G&S Marina Outfitters located in Rowan’s Ravine, Provincial Park is the place. Rob Schulz has been at the forefront of carp angling in this part of the world for years. G&S Marina Outfitters, offer a complete European carp fishing experiences from spring well into the fall months. http://gsmarina.com Carp are a very strong fighting fish that can grow to well over 20 lbs. and test an angler’s skill. And best of all, the guides with G&S Marina Outfitters not only provide the equipment needed to land these giants, they know exactly where they are and get their clients on the fish fast.
ALBERTA
What an exciting time of the year. The 2023 fair-weather fishing season opens throughout most of southern Alberta on May 8th and continues to open across Alberta as we move further into May. Check the 2023 Alberta Guide to Sportfishing Regulations before you cast a line. I for one, will be on the water at Rolling Hills Reservoir running my boat through the paces and targeting walleye on opening day!
Along with opening day, the 2023 Alberta spring trout stocking programs have been underway since the ice on the trout ponds began to drastically dissipate. At the time of this writing, I believe all the central and southern Alberta trout ponds or completely clear of ice and trout stocking programs are well underway.
Just a friendly reminder, regardless of the water body you plan on fishing on opening day or during the first weekend of the new 2023 fishing season, if you’re between the ages of 16-65, you will also need a 2023 Alberta sport fishing license to fish any of Alberta’s waterbodies.
BRITISH COLUMBIA – WES DAVID
The 2023 Fraser River Sturgeon Conservation Society (FRSCS) Sturgeon Conservation Challenge, Gala, Dinner, and Auction will be held on Saturday, May 6, starting at 5:30 pm at the Coast Langley Hotel & Convention Center, in Langley BC. Rick Hansen (Canada’s Man in Motion) and I will once again be a part of this amazing fundraiser to help support the Fraser River white sturgeon, The FRSCS Gala, dinner, and auction is a key fundraiser to help keep this prehistoric legend alive so our kids and grandkids can have the opportunity to experience this amazing fish species.
If you have ever fished for white sturgeon or fishing for white sturgeon is on your fishing bucket list, you will want to support this event. The Fraser River white sturgeon need our help and support. Even if you’re not anywhere near Langley BC, you can still support the FRSCS through their online live auction. https://www.frasersturgeon.com