Cabin

Nolan eager to catch a fish...

Nolan eager to catch a fish before grandpa does!

Nolan enjoying a relaxing time...

Nolan enjoying a relaxing time fishing with grandpa!

Map Of The Day: Lake Manitoba - North

The north basin of Lake Manitoba is shallower than the other parts, with lots of shoals, irregular shoreline, rocks and weeds. This area is highly productive, and helps to feed the rest of the lake. Pike fishing is a huge draw in Lake Manitoba, partly because the floods of years past have created excellent habitat. When the water flooded low-lying areas, grassland was submerged and became marshy. Pike love this. They hide when they hunt, and spring out on their prey with surprise and ferocity that other fish don’t quite match. Staff from The Fishin’ Hole in Winnipeg say that ice fishing for pike in the north is spectacular. You get a lot of pike through the ice. In part this is owing to the increase in spawning habitat. There are also walleye in the north, especially right up in the bays. You can drift throughout this area, and also fish from shore. Jigs and worms are simple and highly effective. In the north, the nutrients and the fish flow south with the current. Heading south through the Narrows, all of the fish and food get concentrated, so the further south you get, the more fish there are. Lake Manitoba’s north end is more sandy than the other parts, with enough rocky areas to provide shelter and cover for the fish. In early spring, carp and silver bass are also prominent in the north. Carp fishing is a lot of fun, because these fish get huge and can really challenge anglers to keep them hooked and land them. Silver bass are also plentiful. One of the great things about fishing for silver bass (or freshwater drum as they are also known), is that when other species slow down in the heat, drum keep biting. As well, they aren’t fussy about their food choices. That means they can be caught on a lot of different presentations. You can troll for them with spinners and spoons, though in the north where it’s shallow, you may have better luck jigging. Fish with worms near the bottom. Some of the most productive spots, as mentioned, are right up in the bays. North and South Twin Islands, Portage Bay and Steep Rock are all good places to start. If you’re further south, get into Vankoughnet Bay and Watchorn Bay. If you’re in need of fishing gear, or are just looking for expert advice, staff at The Fishin’ Hole in Winnipeg have you covered! Stop by their store on Regent Avenue before your next trip.

Lake Of The Day : Lake Manitoba - The Narrows

The Narrows of Lake Manitoba present an interesting and unique fishing opportunity. At the Narrows, the water flow rushes through from one basin of the lake to the other, along with the nutrients and the fish. The following article was written for us by the Lake Manitoba Narrows Game and Fish Association. The Lake Manitoba Narrows Game and Fish Association is founded around the fabulous fishing opportunities at Lake Manitoba Narrows. If you picture Lake Manitoba as an hour glass, the Narrows is the center of the hour glass. This is a unique spot that creates superb fishing conditions based on the direction of wind and the natural current the wind direction creates between the north and south basin. A south wind will create a moving current towards the north basin, bringing schools of fish by the current. As the winds change, the current follows. This constantly flowing current of fresh moving water is perfect for fish of all species and anglers as well. This current allows us to fish a variety of species all year long. In early spring, Northern Pike, Freshwater Drum and Walleye are abundant. Spring into summer, Walleye tend to move out to deeper, cooler waters. At this time Jack, Drum and Perch are more frequently caught. In late summer and early fall, as temperatures start to drop, Walleye, Jack, Drum, and Perch can be caught. Late fall and early winter, Burbot (Mariah) and Walleye are more abundant, but all species can be caught during this time period. You do not need a boat to catch master fish here. Many have been caught right off the rocks on our hydro causeway near our bridge and marina, using pickerel and jack fish rigs. All fishermen have their unique tricks but here are a few of our tricks at the Narrows that makes fishing here so successful: TIPS FOR BOATERS 1. We use all coloured 1 ounce jigs, but hook two minnows on one jig, eye to eye (this lets the backs float freely in the water which creates a nice attractive shimmer). 2. Add a small piece of a rubber tail bait (Ex: mister twister) as a stopper to help keep the minnows on the hook. The longer the minnows stay on the hook, the greater the chance of catching. 3. The second way is to use a split rig with two ½ ounce jigs to equal your 1-ounce weight. Then we hook two minnows on each jig with the rubber tail stopper. (4 minnows in total) 4. No specific color of jig works the best; we’ve currently been using yellow, green, chartreuse and hot pink. Like any avid fisherman knows, one colour may work good one day and the next will not. So always be prepared to change your colour. We have been catching Walleye that range from 9” to 32”, which is a good sign for the health of the lake. Catching all these sizes proves that there are many fish from a variety of spawning years. The fishing has been wonderful these past few years and that is with only one hatchery feeding the lake, as one of the hatcheries was closed several years back. Imagine the possibilities of fishing in the next 5 years if we were able to work together and get that second hatchery reopened. The Lake Manitoba Narrows Game and Fish Association promotes fishing and conservation around the Narrows region. Throughout the year they host derbies and other events, which are a great draw with fabulous prizes. See their website at www.lmngf.ca for more information.

Lake Manitoba Narrows Game and Fish Association Derby

The Lake Manitoba Narrows Game & Fish Association presents its 18TH ANNUAL CATCH AND RELEASE WALLEYE CLASSIC on September 17, 2016 from 8 AM to 4PM. Registration is on Friday Sept 16, from 7-9 pm and on Saturday September 17 from 6:30-8:00 am. Fee: $50.00 CASH PRIZES - (66% of entry fee) 1st-50% - 2nd-30% - 3rd-20% Please bring $5.00 for your pinny which will be refunded upon return after derby. The lodge will be hosting a breakfast special for all anglers at 7am. There will be a silent auction. 50/50 and prizes for raffle. Pig Roast Dinner to follow, price is $10.00 See the Game and Fish Association website at http://www.lmngf.ca/events