MANITOBA
Snow cover continues to hamper travel on many of our bodies of water in the province. Snow machine is still the preferred mode of transportation.
In the eastern part of Manitoba, crappie are supplying some good action and great eating. Meantime don’t forget about the mighty burbot. This is the time of year when these fish become very active as they prepare for the spawn. They will also be moving a bit from their deep water haunts to shallower reefs and sandbars.
Stay tuned for a three part post on the website next week that puts these great sportfish in the spotlight. Fisheries biologist Eric Mullen does a comprehensive article on the biology of these fish plus insight on how to catch them. We also give you some history of these interesting fish as well as some ancient recipes!
The walleye bite remains decent on our big lakes including Lake Manitoba and Lake Winnipeg. Reports from Lake Manitoba indicate a deeper bite during the day (8 to 10 feet) and five feet in the evening. Heavy snow cover has moved a lot of fish from the shallower water out a bit deeper. This includes the perch which are using the first drop off in about 12 feet of water.
Speaking of Lake Winnipeg the High School Ice Fishing Championship featured 1400 students from all over Manitoba.
https://youtu.be/u5cthdXnaEw
Clear Lake remains a go to spot for whitefish and some really large pike. Check out this 41 inch beauty caught by Cody Hughey
NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO
Friend and Hooked Contributor Jeff Gustafson headed down to Knoxville this weekend to take in the Bassmaster Classic. Unfortunately for the first time he is not in the field. It was here in 2023 that he won the Classic and I was fortunate to be there to watch it all happen. Before he left he got into some back country walleye action!
SASKATCHEWAN
Last Mountain Lake is one of my favourite lakes in the world. Unfortunately I have never had a chance to ice fish it. Too bad because it kicks out some monster fish through the ice and this is one of the best times to give it a shot. I found this You tube video from Jesse Manastyrski on his Fish Hunt Cook Channel just to give you motivation to hear there if you get a chance.
https://youtu.be/fR5Nb3g0JCk
ALBERTA AND B.C FISHING REPORT – WES DAVID, Fishing the Wild West TV
The BC Sport & Wilderness Show (BCSWS) was held at the Trade X, in Abbotsford, BC, March 6-8. I had the good fortune of presenting salmon fishing seminars on the Wild TV Outdoor Stage each day of the show. I also had time to walk the showroom floor and talk with vendors and exhibitors who all seemed very happy with the show. I also spoke with the BCSWS managers, and they said the show was completely sold out.
Along with the halls filled with hunting, fishing, and everything outdoors, the Wild TV Outdoor Stage had a great lineup of hunting and fishing pros presenting seminars on hunting, fishing, and conservation, including one-on-one fly-casting seminars at the fly-casting pond. And of course, the Kids Fishing Pond was always filled with kids trying to catch a scrappy rainbow trout.
EDMONTON OUTDOOR SHOW IS COMING!
The Edmonton Boat & Sportsmen’s Show (EBSS) begins on Thursday, March 19th and runs until Sunday, March 22, at the Edmonton Expo Center. The EBSS is Western Canada’s largest outdoor show. This year, six halls are filled with everything outdoors, with special features including the Wild TV Outdoor Stage, Fly Casting Pond, Kids Fishing Pond, and so much more.
I will be on the Wild TV Outdoor Stage talking about (Eliminate These 3 Mistakes and Land More Fish). The EBSS is the last sports show for me this season. Once it’s over on Sunday, I can go outside and go fishing instead of standing inside talking about it!
I hope to see you at the Edmonton Boat & Sportsmen’s Show, March 19-22, at the Edmonton Expo Center!
