From: Bryan Bogdan – Wekusko Falls Lodge
It’s happening, it’s finally happening. The fish are getting patterned as we close out March Madness, and enter into Action Packed April in Manitoba’s Northern Region. There is so much ice that if our season didn’t end April 30, we’d be able to safely ice fish in May! Extensions are a must…as some lake basins have 48″ of ice. Also, there is still quite the snow pack on the lake….ranging from 16-24 inches of the white stuff. Recent snowfalls have leveled things out, and now that it is getting warmer, you can really push the speed limits with your gear. However, slush is starting to show up, and it will only get worse. Make sure you have a quality shovel and rope with you, as well as fire starting/survival equipment just in case. We are highway access, but the lakes are still remote. Best to make sure you are ready for unpredictable circumstances.
This week was busy up here doing filming some fishing shows in Northern Manitoba. Clearwater Lake (near The Pas) saw multiple crews chasing Lake Trout, and over here we had Jason Mitchell Outdoors and Outdoor Bound Tv chasing everything that swims up here. Since the fish are becoming patterned up here in the North, all the shows are going to well represent our northern product.
Walleye
All the lakes are starting to produce consistently. It has been a grind to say the least this year, especially chasing walleye, but now when a person drills holes you can get on them and stay on them. Big fish are sporadic, but they are there. We are seeing every year class show up, and the Gold is starting to shimmer. Horizontal baits have been the top presentation as of late. Dead sticking jigs like a Lindy Slick Jig tipped with a frozen minnow, or aggressive baits like the Acme Hyper Glide, the Salmo Chubby Darter, or Rapala Rippin Rap have been very effective . We have caught with vertical spoons as well, however horizontal seems to be outproducing right now.
Northern Pike
Pike have been starting to move into pre spawn bays, and they are getting hungry. Areas that I couldn’t get a flag in January or February are starting to produce big fish. The fish have been acting very spooky this year, so be sure to sneak up to any tip ups, as they may drop the baits before you can set the hook. I have been running Beaver Dam tip ups, and running heavy line (50b) tied to 50 lb Viscious Floro. My favourite hook to use is the Gamy #2 and #4 barbless hooks. They are so nice to get out of the fish, even easier than regular hooks de-barbed. We have been using 6-7″ baits, finding they are out producing the really big baits. Herring, Sardines, ciscoes, mackerel- they are all working. Also, now that the bite is getting stronger, an angler could catch by jigging spoons right now as well.
Lake Trout
Our big Three lakes up here are producing some monster fish. Clearwater, Athapapuskow, and Reed Lake are all performing. I am not sure what they are using on two of the lakes, but I can tell you what worked for us on Reed. Chum has been very important as it gets those fish in to right where you are. I have been finding my best success on basin flats adjacent to deep water. 35-45′ has been where they have been roaming, and waiting them out is key. If you are confident in a spot, stick to it. If you want a big fish, that’s the way to do it. Tube jigs and vertical spoons has been the top producers, including the new Clam Leech Flutter Spoon, and the larger Acme Rattlemaster. White and gold have been the top colors.
Burbot
They are finally moving up! With our temperatures warming up and snow pack stopping light, burbot are feeling the need to slide up out of the deep basins. Both night and day are starting to produce big fish, and it’s only going to get better as they get closer to spawn. Glow colors are a must when fishing twilight or dark hours, and anything goes during the day. Tube jigs or spoons tipped with bait will get you on some of the most unutilized fishery. Start looking at 55′ and move up to 40′ or 30′. For the serious burbot fisherman, be sure to chum, hold out….and hold on!
Rainbow and Brook Trout
Kormans, Webster, and Barbe Lake are producing some great fish. With a higher stocking program the past few years, there is more competition under the ice causing a great bite. Everything is working for bait right now – minnows, crawlers, waxies, meal worms, gulp, powerbait, all work. Jigs, small spoons, flies, it’s all working. And if this keeps up, it’s going to be truly awesome! Here at Kormans Lake the average rainbow is over 20″. Wait for 2 more years….and it’s going to be a world class fishery. Barbe Lake already is!
Being on the water everyday really made one pattern evident to every species for the best bite. It all came down to fronts. As a front would push through it would trigger fish to bite. Many of our biggest fish were caught right when the front would hit. These fronts came in multiple forms including wind gusts, snow, rain, and cloud cover. Being set up and fishing on the pre-front side was important as to be successful for big fish you need to be at the right spot at the right time. Mix in the right bait/lure and you get those magical moments and big fish memories.
Come and make your own Big Fish Memory up here in Northern Manitoba’s Region. It’s closer and more accessible than you think. Think of it..warm weather, over 13 hours of light (and growing), staging fish at there heaviest weights of the year, and all putting their feed bag on.
Bryan Bogdan
Wekusko Falls Lodge
877-358-2341
