MANITOBA
Some sad news to start off this weeks Fishing Report. Long time guide, tournament angler and all around great guy Don “Sticky” Stokotelny of Dauphin passed away on Tuesday, February 3, 2026 at the age of 64 years.
Don owned and operated Sticky’s Tackle store in Dauphin and I would often drop in on my way through to see how the fishing was in that part of the world. Don and his friend Bill Griffin were on one one of my first ever Complete Angler TV shows back in 1990 when we caught a bunch of walleye ice fishing on Lake Dauphin. Don also ran a ice fishing guiding service on the lake for years. Sticky always had some stories to tell and he even invited me a few years ago to come on a trip with him to a fly in lake just north of Creighton, Saskatchewan for giant lake trout. Don wasn’t kidding when he said they were big.
A Celebration of Life will be held for Don on Saturday, February 28, 2026 at 11:00 am from the Selo Hall in Dauphin with Pastor Scott Allen officiating.
EASTERN MANITOBA
Hooked Contributor Kayla Jorgenson has caught many Master Angler quality fish over the years. She recently ventured into McHugh Lake in the Whiteshell backcountry and landed this beautiful specimen!
How is the walleye fishing you ask. By all accounts not too shabby. One of the pleasant surprises of the ice fishing season all the Master Angler walleye coming out of the Red River!
Speaking of some excellent catches Shu-Mon-Mok has been on a streak on Clear Lake catching jumbo whitefish.
As a bonus he landed a giant northern that measured just over 45 inches, just a beast. Congrats Shu Mon.
NORTHWEST ONTARIO
Jeff Gustafson is back home a short stay in between tournaments on the Bassmaster Elites Circuit. He had a good start to the season, finishing in the money in the two events. Gussy is back out on the ice near his home outside of Kenora, Ontario. He has been catching some nice fish on Lake of the Woods Gussy says there is plenty of ice out there and still a month to go in the season.
SASKATCHEWAN
There are lots of great drive-to pike locations in the province. Some of the best are Lake Diefenbaker, Tobin Lake and the Qu’Appelle chain of lakes. I met Jason Matity many years ago while touring the province and he and his brother Jason are tremendously knowledgeable anglers. In this video on @matitysgetfishing they show you how to combine a rod, reel and tip-up system to effectively hook and land that trophy Saskatchewan northern pike of a lifetime.
https://youtu.be/Il7v8K8SLfM
ALBERTA
Alberta Fishing Report – Wes David, Fishing the Wild West TV
By the time this fishing report is released, the Red Deer Sports and Outdoor Show will be underway. The doors open on February 27, at 4:00 pm and run until March 1. I spoke with the managers, and they said the show is completely sold out. Along with the halls filled with hunting, fishing, and everything outdoors, the Wild TV Outdoor Stage has a great lineup of local hunting and fishing pros presenting seminars on hunting, fishing, and conservation, including one-on-one fly-casting seminars from the Bow River Fly Fishing Company. I will be on the Wild TV Outdoor Stage talking about: Eliminate these 3 mistakes and land more fish.
The Red Deer Sports and Outdoors Show is the primary fundraiser for the Red Deer Fish and Game Association. A volunteer-driven, not-for-profit organization dedicated to conservation and responsible outdoor recreation. All proceeds from the show directly support key community outdoor programs, including the Youth Pheasant Program, the Jr Shooting Program, the Black Powder Program, and the Trout Stocking Program.
In my opinion, there has never been a more important time for hunters and anglers to stick together and support their local hunting and fishing clubs, associations, and organizations.
I hope to see you at the Red Deer Sports and Outdoor Show!
