Northern Manitoba’s landscape has had a complete makeover with a giant storm this last week. Feet of snow and high winds have turned our flat ideal lake conditions into a world of drifts, deep powder, and soon to be the “S” word in lake travel…slush. The drifts on the lakes are already hard, so 10 mph is about all a person can get away with now, and make sure you have quality lockers for your electronics, rods, and tackle. And bring your auger extensions, the ice around here is 36″- to 42″, but it’s not all bad news… the bite is about to get hot.
Walleye
The walleye bite (everyone loves walleyes) has seen many of the fish in a negative mood, with slow presentations being key. Most of the fish have been caught by either going through your whole tackle box and finding a lure that triggers one fish, and then on to the next lure; Or dead sticking both horizontal or vertical presentations with a minnow. We’ve been targeting some of the shallower bays in 12′ instead of basin fishing lately, hoping for more active fish.
Pike
Pike have been in that mid-shallow depth range with 10′ being the most productive for big fish. We have been using larger baits with tip ups. Keeping noise to a minimum has been PIVOTAL. We set some tip ups near our hub otter shack (home base) which were the only ones without flags. In order to battle the extreme cold and windchill, we used flip overs to pull over each flag and had the sunflower heater running. This is a must for saving your hands and the fish as in that weather fish eyes would literally freeze in a few seconds.
Lake Trout
Lake trout have still been lethargic. The bite has been consistent, but the less action on a lure the better. All the fish we have caught were either quivering a slab rap or white tube jig, or dead sticking smelts 6″ off bottom. We did have a few chasers, but only would rise a few feet off bottom, unlike a very active bite. Again, the temperatures made us stick to one area, spreading our shacks apart and holding out there for the day, in 40′ of water.
Rainbow Trout
There have been positive reports from Kormans lake for rainbow trout, with locals catching good numbers of 18-20″ rainbows. Burbot have still been holding to the deep basins, not sliding up at all at dark which is definitely out of character.
With the fishing being slower than average, why am I excited? This snow is a game changer. Not many can remember a year where no snow was on the lakes, meaning it has been bright light conditions underneath the ice. This snow has made it very dark in a 24 hour time period. The walleye, pike, and lake trout all were most active mid afternoon which is totally against the pattern all year. My theory is the fish are going to have to hunt harder to get their meals. It should also get things moving around such as burbot coming out of the deep, or baitfish getting pushed out from the very shallow edges of the lakes due to lack of weed growth. Basically the lakes are going to get active and it’s going to finally start March Madness, and then April Action.
On a side note, I was blessed to guide 2 fathers that brought their sons from Minnesota. In many areas, fishing has become a past time instead of a tool to bring families closer. Fishing isn’t just a sport all about catching fish, it’s also an opportunity for adults to pass on quality time and heritage to the next generation. Boys need positive male role models, and these men did just that even in the harshest weather. It truly helps turn boys not only into men, but fishermen.
Bryan Bogdan
Wekusko Falls Lodge
877-358-2341
