The far north: when, where and how to catch
Manitoba is blessed with countless regions, each that provide an opportunity to catch fish. Let’s take a look at the northern reaches of the province.
Species: Northern Pike, Lake Trout, Walleye, Arctic Grayling, Brook Trout
Season: June to August
Best for: This is fly-in fishing at its finest.
When you land at a lodge in Northern Manitoba, your group (and it’s usually a dozen people or so) will have the lake to yourselves. Spend the morning putting a few walleyes in the live well. This is lunch—and just the mention of shorelunch will have you salivating. Next it’s your choice—northern pike or lake trout. For my money, there’s no bigger thrill than setting the hook on a big, brawling northern pike. Anything over 40 inches will give your rotator cuff a workout. And anything over 41 inches gets you into the Manitoba Master Angler club. If lake trout is more your speed, go on a slow troll in a deep hole and hang on tight. An 80 year-old fish, measuring more than 40 inches and tipping the scales at 30 pounds isn’t all that rare.
Hot Bait: Walleye, quarter ounce jig and minnow. Northern Pike, Mepp’s Musky Killer, white bucktail. Lake Trout, Rapalla D16.
Looking for lodging information? Check out Travel Manitoba (http://huntfishmanitoba.ca/) for fishing lodges in this region.
