COVID-19 — Challenging Manitoba’s Lodge and Outfitting Industry By Dr. Brian G. Kotak, Executive Director MLOA As the second largest industry in Canada (next to Health), tourism already felt the impacts of the corona virus before it even made landfall in North America. The first notions of an impending problem started when Chinese tourists began canceling visits to Canada in droves in late 2019. Since then, COVID-19 came to North America, and the closure of the Canada/US border shut the tourism industry down completely. MASSIVE CANCELLATIONS In Manitoba, lodges and outfitters started experiencing cancellations even before the border closed, as…
Author: Hooked Magazine
A TIME TO REFLECT A lot has changed in our world since our last report two weeks ago. Many of us are not working or staying at home to be safe. Some of us are making our ways to the outdoors to self isolate on frozen lakes. It might be one of the safest spots to be, especially if you are out by yourself or a loved one. With the borders closing to non-essential travel, our friends south of the border will not be coming in the short term to enjoy some of the best fishing of the year. We…
The Mid-Canada Boat Show is at the RBC Convention centre this weekend in Winnipeg. Show times are below: Thursday March 5th 2020 – Ladies Day 3PM – 9PM (Ladies get in free on today!) Friday March 6th 2020 3PM – 9PM Saturday March 7th 2020 10AM – 7PM Sunday March 8th 2020 11AM – 5PM Whats new in the Sport Fishing Boat Market! ALUMACRAFT- COMPETITOR 185 (shown above) This extremely popular model is back for 2020. Not too small, not too big; this boat is just right. Ready for the pros and ready for you, the Competitor 185 models are…
MANITOBA CELEBRATES FREE WINTER FAMILY FISHING WEEKEND Free Fishing From Feb. 15 to 17! Anglers will be able to fish without a licence province wide except in national parks where a federal licence will still be required. Conservation limits apply to those fishing without a licence. Anglers should be sure conditions are safe before venturing onto the ice. It is important to let someone know where you are fishing and to wear appropriate clothing so the ice-fishing experience will be enjoyable. Manitobans are reminded that when fishing in an Aquatic Invasive Species Control Zone, all live bait must be discarded…
GREAT WEATHER AND GOOD SUCCESS! MANITOBA Ice fishers have been taking advantage of the last two weeks of balmy January weather. In Manitoba a wide variety of species have been registered in the Master Angler program. To give you an idea of the impact ice fishing has on this province, one must look no further than Lake Winnipeg. This past weekend 1544 vehicles accessed the lake via Warner Road. Wow. Despite the pressure, the lake continues to produce impressive numbers of trophy walleye in almost all sections of the south basin, including right in front of Gimli itself. Matt Hobson…
BIG PIKE AND LAKE TROUT THE STORY THIS WEEK Cold weather has gripped the prairies for the last few days, slowing down both the bite and anglers interest. Phil Paczkowski from Roblin says the last six weeks was great on Lake of the Prairies for both walleye and some massive pike. He says the bite has slowed somewhat with the cold weather. Phil catches big fish of pretty much any species, but he really likes targeting trophy pike. He usually heads out by himself, setting up a couple of tip-ups at the mouth of bays and main lake points. This…
To enter, submit 200 word story and picture to contact@hookedmagazine.ca. There is no entry fee, no purchase necessary. The 2021 contest deadline is 15 February 2021 at midnight. Entries must be received by (15 February 2021 at midnight). Hooked Magazine takes no responsibility for lost entries. Entries must be in colour. The subject must be under 18 years of age. Moderate digital adjustment (colour correction, cropping, sharpening, etc) is acceptable, but any image with a watermark or signature will be automatically disqualified. Winners will be required to submit original material (high resolution files) for reproduction purposes, so winning pictures can be published.…
Angling effort has been substantial over the holiday season due to improving ice conditions and limited snowfall in many regions, combined with mild weather. The holidays season has also delayed this fishing report. It’s finally here and thanks to the number of anglers who have contributed to this first edition of 2020. MANITOBA With a lack of snow cover, anglers are pretty much driving everywhere on the big lakes, including Lake Winnipeg and Manitoba. Hooked Editor Don Lamont was out on both lakes over the holidays. Lake Winnipeg- Matt Hobson, who runs Icebound Excursions says the bite has slowed somewhat…
MANITOBA As we prepare for the Christmas season, ice fishing activity will be increasing with a break in the weather and the schedule. For those looking to head out during the holidays, there are a ton of ice fishing opportunities to consider. The biggest story since our last report in this province has been Lake Winnipeg. Matt Hobson, who runs Icebound Excursions on Big Windy has been out on the ice every day for the last week. At the start of the week ice thickness was about 14 inches. Matt says that has jumped up to 24 inches in the…
MANITOBA Biggest story by far since our last report happened at Balsam Bay on the east side of Lake Winnipeg. Last Sunday five vehicles went through the ice. Luckily no one was seriously injured. Combine extremely heavy flows from both the Red and Winnipeg Rivers and conditions could be iffy for a long time, despite our recent cold snap. The KidFish event on the Red, scheduled for January 5th, had to be cancelled. The Red River is nine feet above normal. On the plus side of things, the stocked trout lakes across the province are still fishing extremely well. Check…