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 includes Big Whiteshell Lake that has produced some 15 inch fish as well as some mega ciscoes. Check out this mega gorgeous golden 15 incher caught by Myles Katrensky.
Up north Barbe Lake has really kicked into high gear with massive rainbow trout and MA brook trout.
Jordan Single shows off this beauty of a brookie. Then there is the rainbow of Nick Sumner measuring in at 27inches. It is a beautiful, healthy fish thanks to the great stocking program conducted by the Province of Manitoba.
Nick Sumner was hunkered down in his portable with some pretty cool lighting in the challenging conditions.
In the western part of the province lake sturgeon still are being caught on the Assiniboine as we see with this shot of a 43 incher caught by Aidan Keown.
NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO
Jamie Bruce continues his quest to torture himself by heading to back country lakes near his home in Kenora, Ontario. This time he brings along a t.v. crew with friend Tony Roach. Unfortunately not all goes according to plan. The struggle is real!
SASKATCHEWAN
The Saskatchewan Fisher is at it again on Lake Diefenbaker. This massive reservoir is frozen solid with not much snow cover so truck travel allows anglers to cover large areas away from the crowds. At least that is the way Cody sees it.
ALBERTA
WES DAVID – FISHING THE WILD WEST TV
Over the last three weeks, it has been a real rollercoaster for Alberta ice anglers and ice conditions from one end of the province to the other. In some areas of central Alberta, there was extreme ice melt and even rain. In southern Alberta, extreme warm winds melted ice and snow rapidly, only to be followed by extreme cold. To put it in perspective, on Sunday, January 25th, I left Lloydminster, Saskatchewan, in -32C and blowing snow. Five hours later, it was sunny and +8C in Airdrie, Alberta.
Walleye are being caught out of walleye lakes/reservoirs across the province, and the larger stocked trout ponds, like Chain Lakes, seem to be fishing well. However, the bulk of the ice fishing and the consistency of the bite seem to fluctuate as much as the weather.\
An alternative to ice fishing?
TIME TO BOOK A STURGEON TRIP
White sturgeon are biting on the Fraser River, and the guides with BC Sportfishing Group are hosting a variety of anglers from Alberta, Saskatchewan, and neighboring U.S. states. Along with catching and releasing white sturgeon, BC Sportfishing Group and all their guides are a part of the Fraser River Sturgeon Conservation Society (FRSCS) tagging program, and all guided guests participate in tagging white sturgeon.http://www.bcsportfishinggroup.com
There are a variety of guides on British Columbia’s west coast who guide for winter salmon. This is a good opportunity to continue wearing your warm ice-fishing clothing while fishing the Pacific Ocean for Chinook and Coho salmon. A little research into booking a guide will allow you to fish for salmon during the day, spend warm evenings in the hotel, and return home with a limit of salmon for table fare.
The Bismarck Tribune is proud to host their 56th Annual Bismarck Tribune Sports Show on February 13-15, 2026, at the Bismarck Event Center. Along with keynote speakers on the Outdoor Stage, guests will enjoy tons of vendors, including deals on boats, RVs, ATVs, ice houses, outdoor sport equipment, hunting and fishing guides and lodges, and more! The Bismarck Tribune Sports Show is also excited to announce that it will again host DOCKDOGS® as their main attraction. www.bismarcksportshow.com
Wherever you go fishing, play safe!
