Author: Josh Wood

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Josh Wood is a freelance writer and avid multi species angler from Manitoba. Fishing creeks and streams to rivers and lakes through the seasons, there isn't a fish he hasn't enjoyed pursuing yet. When he's not wetting a line for one species or another he can be found hiking and exploring different areas of Manitoba.

When it comes to the Whiteshell Provincial Park in winter, the scenery alone is a big enough draw. With ample swaths of boreal timber spliced with bare granite peeking through snow drifts and what seems like a lake around every corner. For years, many Manitobans have been spending a significant amount of their winter recreation time enjoying the beauty and serenity the area has to offer and while fishing is what usually brings me to this part of the province, there can be so much more to do in winter! SNOWMOBILE TRAILS EVERYWHERE! Snowmobiling is one of the bigger draws…

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“There ain’t nothin’ in that creek boy!” and “You alright? Better places than that to catch a fish!” are comments I have heard more than once. I must admit the sight of someone holding an ice fishing rod, standing ankle deep in a creek bent over staring down into less than a foot of water is a little strange. My first foray into the micro-fishing cosmos was more of an accident than anything, I had 30 minutes to kill with an ultra-light fishing pole and the only body of water nearby a lowly creek. Dipping the tiny hook baited with…

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Destination Cedar Lake So many water bodies, so little time. That’s the quandary many of us find ourselves in when it comes to our ice fishing goals and aspirations. With handfuls of species to target and a limited window of time and safe conditions, it’s easy to miss out on many of winter’s hot bites. One of those is just North of the 53rd parallel and is one of Manitoba’s best drive-to fishing destinations. Cedar Lake is home to large northern pike, walleye, burbot, whitefish and tullibee and this reservoir is one of my favorite places to drill through the…

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Shore fishing is one of the most basic and primitive activities, yet somehow it continues to evolve. Technologies advance, new lures and gear hit the market and more people young and old get exposed to the sport. While location, temperature, seasonal patterns and prey preferences all play a part in a successful day on the water’s edge, there are plenty of essentials vital to the health and safety of the fish you target and to you success. Reliable Rod and Reel Rods and reels used for shore fishing often take a bit more of a beating than those that live…

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With the ice season now closed in the southern division of Manitoba, many folks are packing up the ice gear and getting ready for open water. For those willing to drive, there are plenty of destinations within the province with reasonable accommodations and stellar fishing near by. I’ve just returned from five days of fishing up at Cross Bay on Cedar Lake and I can assure you that there is still plenty of ice and snow up that way. Pike, burbot and whitefish were our target species while up there and when using an underwater camera we spotted more than…

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Destination Cedar Lake So many water bodies, so little time. That’s the quandary many of us find ourselves in when it comes to our ice fishing goals and aspirations. With handfuls of species to target and a limited window of time and safe conditions, it’s easy to miss out on many of winter’s hot bites. One of those is just North of the 53rd parallel and is one of Manitoba’s best drive-to fishing destinations. Cedar Lake is home to large northern pike, walleye, burbot, whitefish and tullibee and this reservoir is one of my favorite places to drill through the…

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Manitoba has an abundance of parks to explore, each with its own character and identity. As the birds begin to head south and leaves fall from the trees it can be one of the best times to get out and experience them. I am always keeping an eye on the weather all over the province and if there is an unseasonably warm day coming up for the Spruce Woods area, I don’t think twice and make plans for a hike and a fish. With countless kilometers of trails to cover and plenty of spots to fish, this area of the…

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When the days are long and time frees itself, there are few places I would rather be than floating down a river on a kayak. With dozens of rivers across the prairies, one doesn’t have to go far to launch a kayak and get fishing. Your body the motor, food and fluids the fuel, skill level and safety almost the only constraints (barring unseasonably high water levels). Often minimal effort is involved, except for the occasional portage or upstream paddle to repeat a drift and the mind is free to wander where it may. Meandering from point A to point…

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There’s a spoon out there for any fish through the ice Once winter’s grip has taken hold across the prairies, thousands of anglers head out in pursuit of one species or another through the ice to pass the time. Some will rarely stray from their comfort zone for the majority of the season while others prioritize the prime times for various species. Once all the logistics and safety measures are taken care of and any species and water body specific research complete, one of the most important things is the tackle and a good variety at that. Some days the…

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I could come up with an excuse to pretty much go and target any fish I can think of, I’m not prejudiced and if it bites on hook and line I want to catch it. My wife often laughs at my justifications: “We’re going to need some for tomorrow’s catfish trip,” or “It’s been five days since I’ve fished,” to “This is the first nice day in weeks,” or “Remember that 18 inch goldeye you caught that night? I still have to beat it!” All valid reasons to go fishing, right? Some refer to goldeye as “mini tarpon” as they…

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