Author: Don Lamont

MANITOBA The days are starting to become longer as we come into the middle of February.  This means fish activity will continue to increase as we move into March. It seems the perch on the Shoal Lakes in the Interlake are already on the bite. Hooked Contributor Sarah Henuset was out there recently and added two more MA perch to get her Specialist Badge from Travel Manitoba. Congrats Sarah! The walleye fishing on both the Red River and Lake Winnipeg continues to shine. There have also been a few first time Master Angler catches recorded. Check out this walleye caught…

MANITOBA The Polar Vortex swept over much of the Prairies and into Ontario tightening up ice conditions a bit during the last 10 days.  It is a great time of the year to fish out of portable tent or a nice heated ice shack. While fish activity tends to slow down a bit in the deep freeze there are always fish to be caught. The Red River and Lake Winnipeg is still producing some nice Master Angler sized walleye. WHITESHELL PROVINCIAL PARK A number of lakes in the eastern part of Manitoba are really producing some nice sized crappie. This…

WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE IN AN INDUSTRY YOU LOVE? LIFE AT A FISHING AND HUNTING LODGE Over my forty-four years in the industry, I have been to a lot of different lodges across western Canada. The people that own them are a different kind of person. Almost all are extremely hard working, care about their customers and employees and love what they do. It also helps if you can adapt on the fly! This includes rescuing guests, fighting off wild animals and the never-ending cycle of fixing things. I do warn you however, before you decide it is…

MANITOBA Variable temperatures are making things a bit more interesting than normal. Some days recently in January above zero, causing even more slush on the ice. Luckily some cold nights have followed, providing some needed relief for those trying to get on the ice. One of the more interesting stories to be told in this fishing report are the number of Channel Catfish being caught on the Red River. This is something that has always interested me since the video I saw with James Lindner and crew targeting channel catfish a few years back through the ice.  Jim has probably…

Editors Note:   We at Hooked Media would like to thank all our contributors, subscribers and readers for a tremendous 2025. We have been spending the time over the holidays mapping out some new ideas and contests for the upcoming year. Here’s hoping for a great 2026 in the outdoors! MANITOBA LAKE OF THE PRAIRIES – ROGER AND SUE GERES Well ice fishing is more then a challenge this winter, with about 12” of ice and 15” of snow The lake is flooding and slush makes it more then a challenge, truck travel is almost impossible so snowmobiles and tracked…

MANITOBA As an Alberta Clipper ripped across the prairies this week, getting out on the ice just got a bit more difficult. An early lack of snow though did provide good safe ice in many places around the province. As always caution is advised. One of my absolute favourite lakes in the world is Clear Lake in Riding Mountain National Park. With the introduction of Zebra Mussels and the boat ban on the lake, ice fishing is the only chance to experience what a great fishery it is, especially for lake whitefish. These fish grow big and mean in Clear…

MANITOBA Winter has arrived with a vengeance across western Canada with plenty of snow in Alberta but not so much in this province.  This making for some pretty good ice with limited snow cover. As usual test conditions constantly when you head out for your first ice trip.  Speaking of which Reel Life with Mike, along with Stagg on the Line,  headed up to Twin Lakes in the Ducks to get in on some first ice tiger trout! https://youtu.be/ChgI-o62gLM A little further up Barbe Lake is still producing some gorgeous Brook Trout. Check out this beautifully coloured Brookie caught by…

MANITOBA For those hoping to get out on the ice, the incredibly beautiful fall is putting a damper on things for those of us who live in the south. Some hardcore have gotten on the smaller trout ponds and their have been some awesome fish caught. Check out this beauty rainbow caught by Ethan Bartsch at Corstorphine Lake in western Manitoba. Matt Lindtott landed this gorgeous rainbow at Persee Lake.  On the open water side of things, Raiden Price backcountried into McHugh Lake and landed this Tiger Trout! SASKATCHEWAN A huge blast of arctic air is set to…

MANITOBA Temperatures have now gone below freezing across the province and ice is starting to form. This is transition season for most with boats put away and plans being made for a first ice expedition. With decent temperatures last week stocked trout were the story. A number of Master Angler fish were caught including some big brown trout who really feed heavily as we get into November right before ice up. Two lakes that are producing some big browns are Patterson and Bower. This Bower Lake beauty was caught by Noah Messner. Liam Anderson landed this MA in Patterson the…

MANITOBA As we move into the middle of October nights are finally starting to drop towards zero, cooling down water temperatures. It has been an extremely late fall and fish are just starting to move into more traditional fall areas. Channel catfish certainly don’t mind the extended fall and have been feeding aggressively in both the Assiniboine and Red Rivers. Many anglers are fishing from shore and it’s a great way to spend a fall day especially when you can catch a fish like Desmond Moffat did on the Assiniboine! NORTHERN MANITOBA The weather has cooled considerably in the north…