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Volume 16 Issue 5 Winter 2023

Ice. Snow. Fish. And you.

It doesn’t get any better than the incredible, thrilling hard water fishing you’ll find in Saskatchewan. With expansive ice, a long winter, and multiple species to go after, you’re sure to find the ice fishing adventure of your dreams right here.

Start your trip at fishhuntsask.com

O N F I S HI N G A N D T H E GR EAT O U T D O O R S

Contents | Winter 2023

Feature

14 PRO POINTERS

12 | Chasing the Dream! with Jamie Bruce

14 | Icing Manitoba Stocked Trout with Don Lamont

36| Three Seasons on Ice with Jeff Gustafson

FEATURES

DEPARTMENTS

8 | New Products 34 | HuntFishMB Recipe 38 | Content Creator

HOLIDAY WISH LIST

MANITOBA ICE FISHING! Extreme adventures on renowned hard waters

from December through April, the Manitoban ice fishing world presents options for everyone. From an easy, do-it-yourself family trip, to a local trout lake, to a full service guided adventure on the remote limits of our inland oceans, Manitoba presents an open door to epic ice fishing experiences!

Winter 2023 | HOOKED | 3

FROM THE EDITOR

O N F I S H I N G A N D T H E G R E A T O U TD O O R S

Publisher Hooked Media Inc. President Kevin Stobbe - 204-771-4041 kevin@hookedmagazine.ca Editor Don Lamont - 204-292-5234 dlamont46@gmail.com Design/Production Nuance Design nuancedesign@shaw.ca Advertising contact@hookedmagazine.ca Writers Jamie Bruce, Wes David, Jeff Gustafson, Kris Konos, Don Lamont, Glenn McDonald, Josh McFaddin, Eric Mullen, Michael Sweatman Cover Photo Marcel Laferriere

t was a great open water season this past year with some exciting adventures and awesome fishing. Unfortunately, winter came a bit too soon for my liking. Now it’s time to get ready for ice fishing season and our group of writers will have you fine tuned in no time. In this issue we do a feature on all the great ice angling opportunities in Manitoba as we work with Travel Manitoba. We cover the great walleye lakes, including Lake Winnipeg and Manitoba. Don’t forget about stocked trout and yes, the dynamic crappie fishery that Manitoba has in the eastern part of the province. Last year, for the first time, the angling public had the opportunity to rent accommodation on the ice on Lake Winnipeg. This year it has been expanded province wide. Great news for anglers far and wide. Mike Sweatman continues to explore his home province of Saskatchewan. In this well written article, he zeroes in on winter perch in the Qu’Appelle Valley. In our Conservation Corner article biologist Eric Mullen shares some groundbreaking information about catch and release mortality when angling for lake trout. Some of the details will shock anglers and lead the way to better catch and release methodology. This includes a restriction on depth and time of year.

Our writers include some of the best anglers in the world. Jamie Bruce talks about his incredible journey this year on the Bassmaster Open circuit. While he just failed to qualify for the Elite circuit, he proved he belongs. Meantime Bassmaster Classic champ Jeff Gustafson takes some time off from the trail to get out on the ice. Gussy takes us through early, mid, and late ice in this great primer. For those thinking of trying their luck at musky fishing in 2024, our resident expert Glenn McDonald gives you the lowdown on what to expect. Fishing the Wild West TV host and producer Wes David and his cameraman Chuck had another spectacular season of filming. They did, however, run into a bit of a situation in northern Saskatchewan when the got smoked into extra days and a remote outpost. Luckily there was plenty of fish to eat and time to relax. Don Lamont, Editor

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4 | HOOKED | Winter 2023

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WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD FOR BOATING IN CANADA?

here are rumblings that the federal and regional governments will take more restrictive steps to stop spread of Invasive Species. For example the Okanagan Basin Water Board is proposing a temporary ban on all out of province boats entering BC’s waterways. James Littley, deputy administrator for the OBWB, said two species of freshwater mussels — zebra and quagga mussels — could be catastrophic to lake and river systems if stringent measures aren’t put in place to keep them out of the province. In Manitoba zebra mussels continue to spread prompting Riding Mountain Provincial Park to implemented new regulations this past spring. All boaters

SUBSCRIBE to Hooked magazine today and never miss an issue.

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were required to get an inspection and then issued a temporary seven-day license which becomes invalid as soon as the boat leaves the park. Meantime the Manitoba Wildlife Federation is spearheading an education effort on AIS. They are teaming up with the Province of Manitoba’s Natural Resources and Northern Development Fish and Wildlife Department, as well as Hunt/Fish (Travel) Manitoba and the Fish and Wildlife Enhancement Fund to help educate the public on how to stop the spread of Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS). This joint task force is developing a series of educational videos to correct some misunderstandings common among all those who frequent Manitoba’s many lakes and rivers in the summer and winter months.

TRANSPORT CANADA REGULATIONS UPDATE 639-699-7171 www.tdamisk.com

Northern Saskatchewan Walleye & Northern Pike

Flight Duty Time - Transport Canada Seven months ago, the Coalition of Northern Air Services and Stakeholders (CNASS) was formed to advocate for changes to the recent flight duty time regulations. Most recently the Coalition met with senior staff in the Minister of Transport Canada’s office. Many business owners, pilots and their clients feel defeated by the lack of action taken by Transport Canada to adjust these regulations. The Coalition continues the fight against these non workable regulations.

HOLIDAY WISH LIST

DARKWATER FILLETING KNIFE Made from premium quality materials. Stainless steel blade with PTFE coating provides an excellent balance of hardness and maximum corrosion resistance. The blades in this line are all coated with PTFE to maximize corrosion resistance. The handles are all nylon fiber with a rubber overmold, offering a secure grip with either a gloved or non-gloved hand. These knives are built to last and withstand harsh conditions but are offered at a price point that won’t break the bank should you drop one in the dark water. The knife provides consistent razor-sharp cutting performance and high durability. mastercutlery.com

WATERPROOF BEANIE An essential piece of headwear, our Waterproof Beanie is designed with a simple rib construction outer and an anti-pill soft touch thermal fleece lined inner. Keeping your head warm and dry in the coldest of conditions, wear on or around the water for maximum protection. gillmarine.com

8 | HOOKED | Winter 2023

LUNKERHUNT BIG EYE TAIL SPIN You’ll look just as shocked when you see everything this little guy has to offer! Glow-in-thedark patterns, an enticingly bladed tail, sharp heavy-weighted short shank hooks, and a pair of thunderstruck wide eyes that bring everything together. The Lunkerhunt Big Eye Tail Spin has it all, making it an effective feature-heavy little lure that’s easy to target and excels in the water. Ideal for both vertical jigging or extra long casts to schooling fish, once you see it in action both you and the fish will be hooked. lunkerhunt.com

THE ULTIMATE BOOT DRYER! The Advantage Plus PEET powers air through the Air Chambers and DryPorts with a fan and the ability to use heat, to dry gear faster than our traditional natural convection models. The Advantage PEET dries most footwear in 1-4 hours, depending on the saturation of the item. The large, sturdy base can easily handle 2 pairs of heavy ski boots or skates and easily plugs into any standard 110-120 volt U.S. household currents. This product is equipped with ETLapproved fans and is also available in 240v electrical configurations (New Zealand and UK). Dry Responsibly with PEET. peetdryer.com

WALLEYE NATION CREATIONS DEATH JIG The Walleye Nation Creations Death Jig has an irresistible live-bait action that converts more looks into hooksets when casted, trolled, and drifted. The ultimate bait when searching for walleye with livescope. When trolling, it’s your bottom bouncer and harness in one with a baitfish profile and jig bite feel. Perfect for fishing just off the bottom or open water. Thread a crawler or other bait onto the Double Trouble hook and get ready to convert more looks into strikes. walleyenation.com

HOLIDAY WISH LIST

SAVVY RIDER FOLDING FISHING ROD COMBO An all-in-one fishing kit. Want to do a little fishing on your back country fishing adventure? Bring this lightweight combo along. It sets up in seconds with easy folding fishing rod and reel combo. Great for the beginner with 16 pre-tied lures for different weather and fishing conditions. amundson.ca

LIQUID MAYHEM-WALLEYE CONCENTRATE Made with a blend of minnow species and pure garlic, this scent is killer with soft plastics. It’s been reported to out fish live bait on more than one occasion. Fishing the Wild West TV show host Wes David is a true believer! liquidmayhem.com

MEPPS SYCLOPS The Mepps Syclops is the flagship wobbler from Mepps. With its 10 reflective surfaces, its sinuous action and its perfect fish attracting shape, it is a Go-To lure for anglers from coast to coast for any game fish species. In 2024, the already vast colour selection will expand to add four high-visibility patterns: Hot Perch, Red and White, White and Blue, and Tiger Clown. All those colours will be available in sizes 1, 2, and 3, with treble or single hooks. mepps.ca

MILWAUKEE HEATED VEST BY HOOKED CONTRIBUTOR ROBYN GRANT One of my angler friends suggested this vest was life changing and he was not wrong! It keeps the chill away on those extra cold days. The beauty of a vest is that it doesn’t add bulk to the arm/wrist area. Bonus: Milwaukee offers women’s sizing! Here is the description: Powered by M12™ REDLITHIUM™ Battery Technology, the Milwaukee® M12™ Heated Vest uses carbon fiber heating elements to create and distribute heat to the chest and back. Wind and water resistance combined with a thermal fleece lining provide protection from the elements and allow for three-season versatility. milwaukeetool.ca

JETBOIL STOVE BY HOOKED CONTRIBUTOR ROBYN GRANT “When I wake up in the morning on a winter camping trip, I want my coffee now! The Jetboil stove does not disappoint. It’s compact and literally boils water as fast as a jet!” Powered by FluxRing technology, the MicroMo reaches a rolling boil in just over two minutes with half the fuel consumption of traditional systems. Jetboil’s proprietary regulator technology offers incremental heat adjustments from light simmer to full boil, perfect for sautéing greens, simmering sauces, and more. The lightweight 0.8-liter FluxRing cooking cup with insulating cozy allows you to boil water and keep it warm without toting a separate pot. Start heating instantly with the convenient, reliable pushbutton igniter—regulated for consistent performance down to 20 degrees F (-6 degrees C). Includes fuel canister stabilizer and pot support; bottom cup doubles as a measuring cup and a bowl; easy to pack and carry at only 12 ounces. jetboil.johnsonoutdoors.com

NEW MUSTAD SWIM BAIT HOOK HANDLES BIG BAITS AND BIG FISH! Larger swimbaits in the 6-inch range will tempt trophy fish like lake trout and monster northern pike! Stepping up to an 8-inch soft plastic swimbait is not unrealistic. Rig these baits on a Mustad AlphaPoint Infiltrator Swim Hook and try different speeds until you figure out what the fish want. mustad-fishing.com

Winter 2023 | HOOKED | 9

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PRO POINTERS

>JAMIE BRUCE

Chasing The Dream!

The Ups-And-Downs of Tournament Life

ctober 14 marked the end of the Bassmaster Opens EQ circuit that began way back in March. This was my first year competing in a full 9 event schedule of a national tournament trail. This has been a dream of mine since I started tournament fishing in 2007.

HITTING THE ROAD The 2023 Bassmaster Opens season consisted of 9 events across the U.S. Their proximity to my home in Kenora, Ontario ranged from 16 to 32 hours of drive time, with the majority being around 24 hours of windshield time each way. Official practice would start the following morning at first light, and we would fish 4 1/2 days up until the tournament which would be 2-3 days on the water. Following each tournament, I would drive back in time for work on Monday morning. This was altered a few times when there were tournament days cancelled due to weather, or if I qualified for the final day top-10. In these cases, it was all windshield time in a mad dash to return for work.

TOURNAMENT NUMBER ONE The first event in Eufala, AL was over 27 hours from home, and a cancelled day forced the full field to fish on the Saturday. I drove two full nights, made it home at 5 am Monday morning, sprayed the salt off the Lund, drove to Winnipeg to catch a 10am flight to Toronto, and then drove from Toronto to Hamilton for a work commitment. This really was an eye opener how extensive the travel could be, how hard it can be on your body and mind.

THE DIVERSITY OF FISHING Of the nine lakes on the Opens schedule, I had been to one of them once back in 2017 for a day with Gussy prior to his FLW Tour 2nd Place finish on the Harris Chain in Florida. Otherwise, the remainder of the lakes were a mystery.

A NEW BAG OF TRICKS REQUIRED Southern largemouth fishing was all a mystery to me. We’re lucky these days to have so much access to archived tournament footage, maps, YouTube videos and fishing reports that at least gave me a ru12 | HOOKED | Winter 2023

dimentary understanding of what I could be dealing with. I leaned hard on my electronics to try to find offshore fish, but it wasn’t always possible. It took a while until I felt comfortable enough to go shallow and attempt to compete with shallow water legends like Greg Hackney and Jason Christie who were in many of the events.

MAKING NEW FRIENDS Most events, I would split a house with two friends from the North; Adam Rasmussen from Sturgeon Bay, WI, and Brad Leuthner from Minneapolis, MN. I knew them both from tournament fishing up north and we were a natural fit as we were all quite a way out of our element. We would typically stay at vacation rentals and depending on the tournament would have other competitors or co-anglers stay with us as well. For stops 2-4 we had Tommy Wood, an Australian who had arrived in the US for the first time who wanted a taste of the Bassmaster dream. I also had a few buddies from the north, Lucas Dewson, Matt Rydberg, and Devon Gurniak travel as well to Toledo Bend and Buggs Island. It was great to share the experience with those guys who had been seeing it all for the first time.

THE RESULTS There were 174 anglers competing in all 9 events throughout the year. That left up to 51 spots for Bassmaster Elite anglers and stud locals to fill the remainder of the 225 boat fields. The top 9 anglers from the 174 EQ’s would receive berths to the Bassmaster Elite Series, which worked out to 5% of anglers that would move on.

THERE IS A CHANCE! After a 104th place start in Eufala, AL I was able to rally with two top 20’s, a top 30, and a 46th place finish after 5 events. Stop 6 at the St. Lawrence river yielded a 3rd place finish, launching me inside of the Elite Series qualification line with 3 events to go. After a break from opens in August, I returned for the southern swing in September and October. The 7th event went poorly on Watts Bar Reservoir where I posted a 122nd place finish dropping me from 8th to 20th overall with two events remaining. At stop #8 on Lake of the Ozarks, MO I held the tournament lead after two days, with the final day being aired live on Fox Sports. I flopped on the final day and ended the event with a 9th place finish, moving me back inside of the qualifying line with one event remaining.

HEARTBREAK Stop #9 at the Harris Chain in Florida was filled with frustration and fish losses, and a 97th place finish moved me down to 15th overall to end the year. Overall, I have no regrets on my decision to compete. If you would have told me I’d cash cheques in 5 of 9 events in one of the most challenging circuits in bass fishing, it would have put a smile on my face. The chance to compete on live network television is something that I never could have imagined. Next year, I’ll be competing in three of the Bassmaster opens, with the hope of a return to the 9-event schedule in 2025! I could not have done it without the support of my wife Ashley, my family, friends, and outstanding sponsors and supporters. Thank you everybody! n

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Winter 2023 | HOOKED | 13

PRO POINTERS

>DON LAMONT

ICE FISHING STOCKED TROUT IN MANITOBA

t’s time to break out the portable ice shack and be ready for some incredible fishing moments on your favorite trout lake. In Manitoba we have over 100 lakes, ponds and streams stocked with trout! And quite a few of those grow to mammoth proportions. East Blue Lake for years has held the Manitoba record with rainbow trout over 30 inches in length. Over the 42 years as a professional angler, I have been fortunate enough to fish most of the lakes that have become folklore in this province.

TROUT ATTACK! Get out early in the morning, an hour before daybreak, drill some holes in two to four metres of water off a point, island or weed edge and be on watch. You will be amazed what you will see in the underwater world that unfolds below you. In a portable shed with all the windows closed you’ll see fish come in on your baits, how they react and what works and doesn’t. This is especially true on lakes that have excellent water clarity. There’s nothing like watching a big rainbow or brown trout coming in on your bait. Will he take it or not? When to set the hook if he does? All these questions will come flooding to your brain with a heart pounding rush of blood. As anglers, we don’t always make the right decision or catch the fish, but it certainly will keep your attention! By watching down your ice hole or on an underwater camera you will continue to learn about fish behavior. That’s when a good pencil float will come in

handy. You can suspend a small bait just off the bottom with a pencil float and split shot and wait for these light bites. When properly weighted so half the float is visible you will see lift bites as the fish take the bait from below and move up with it. On a smaller fish, if you slowly lift up with your rod tip, it will spit it out but if you feel good weight, it’s time to set the hook.

BAIT RESTRICTIONS ON SOME LAKES On lakes which allow bait, I like to suspend a dead shiner minnow from a float half-way down the water column. When fishing lakes that harbor very large rainbows and browns, line pound test becomes an important consideration. Sixpound clear monofilament, or a fluorocarbon like Berkley Vanish is probably the minimum. Make sure that you also have a good reel on your ice fishing rod, one that will let the fish run on a smooth drag.

On a cold day, if you are outside of a shack your pencil float won’t work as it will freeze into the ice. A warm shack will get the job done. Then you can let out a foot or two of slack line, so when the fish takes the pencil float, there is no resistance and it can move away with the bait, resulting in better hookups. Sharp hooks are extremely important at any time, but with stocked trout it’s a must. Rainbows are very sensitive to oxygen levels in a lake, so when you are looking for fish, especially midwinter, check out green weed edges or underground springs, or even inflows, if ice conditions are safe. That means the best time to ice fish for rainbow trout in Manitoba is December, early January, before ice thickness depletes oxygen levels to a point you think you’re on a dead sea. An option is to fish one of the many trout lakes in the Parkland region that have aeration systems. Just be very careful of ice conditions. n

PARKLAND REGION There has been an incredible amount of work done in this part of the world by FLIPPR (Fishing Lake Improvement for the Parkland Region) and other groups to bring this fishery up to world class standards. Here are my lake recommendations in no special order: PATTERSON LAKE: Browns and Rainbows WEST AND EAST GOOSE LAKE: Rainbows PERSSE LAKE: Browns TWIN LAKES: Tiger Trout CORSTORPHINE LAKE: Rainbows FOOTPRINT LAKE :Rainbows BARBE LAKE :Rainbows, Brook trout Check out the FLIPPR website. It has driving directions and lake maps that will get you to the right location. The website is www.flippr.ca. 14 | HOOKED | Winter 2023

TARGETING SPECIES

Crappie Fun in Eastern Manitoba! BY ROBYN GRANT

ce fishing for crappie in eastern Manitoba is always on our winter ice fishing bucket list.

Whether we are getting the family together on the ice for a short day in the sunshine or grabbing a few close friends and heading back into a remote lake, we cannot wait for the water in the Whiteshell Provincial Park to freeze so we can get out there for some crappie fun.

LOTS TO LIKE Manitoba’s Whiteshell is the ultimate winter destination for so many reasons. You can be an avid angler looking for snow machine access adventure, or a first-time angler looking to explore a new area of the province. There is a lake accessible for you no matter your set up! Not to mention lots of great places to stay and all kinds of winter adventures to pack into your trip.

THE HOT SPOTS The most popular spots to fish for crappie include Caddy Lake, Brereton Lake, Sailing Lake, South Cross Lake, and North Cross Lake. Caddy and Brereton Lake both have walk on access, where Sailing, North and South Cross Lake are more suitable for snow machine access. Crappie travel in pods in the wintertime, moving around the lake based on oxygen levels and location of food, so the biggest challenge is finding the fish. Once you find them you are sure to be in for a consistent day of fishing. During the winter months, crappie tend to hang out in deep weed beds, or on the flats of structured areas, generally in depths of 10 to 40 feet. This can often translate to

having to drill A LOT of holes at the beginning of the day or when moving to a new spot to try and find where the fish are.

TRAVEL LIGHT! Moving around the lake is the key to finding crappie. Packing a 4-inch ultralight auger flight can really conserve your energy! Crappie will also move as the day goes on, shallower at dawn and dusk, and deeper mid day. If you find the fish, and the bite suddenly dies off, drill holes from your starting point out to deeper water and follow the fish as they travel throughout the day. Electronics are key for crappie fishing, nothing fancy required! A small flasher will do the trick to help you locate the fish, see where the fish are in the water column, and to see how they are responding to your lure. If you are not set up with electronics you can still make it work, you just need to be a little bit more creative and patient. Stay mobile, move around the lake, fish different depths as fish can move within the water column, and change up your presentation.

PRESENTATION You can’t go wrong with a small tungsten jig. We like to use red, black, or white,

tipped with a soft plastic meal worm of the same colour. This simple and small presentation seems to be appetizing to the crappie even when the fish are being finicky! Tie your lure onto a 2-4 lbs fluorocarbon leader to optimize success. Using a light action rod can also enhance the crappie catching experience, especially when the fish have a light bite. If you are marking fish on your flasher, pay attention to how the fish are responding. Are they interested? If not, try a few different techniques. Try dead sticking, switch up your lure, or reel up to see if the fish are game for the chase. Pro-tip – Ever notice where a crappies eyes are located? Keep your lure above the fish; they can’t look down! Pay attention to your line slacking and rod tip moving as crappie attack from below. Where there is crappie there are predators lurking! While your jigging crappie you can put out a tip up for pike. Pulling up a big gator can really put the cherry on top of an already epic day.

ACCOMMODATION What’s the absolute best feelings after a long day of fishing? Getting out of your gear, having a hot shower, a warm meal, and crashing on a comfortable bed. Even better, not having to drive home first to make this all happen. Thankfully there are lots of wonderful accommodations available in the area to suit any travellers needs. Places to stay close to crappie fishing; try Falcon Lake Resort, Falcon Beach Ranch, Falcon Trails Resort, Keystone Resort, Crescent Beach Cottages, or West Hawk Lake Resort.

WAY MORE THAN FISHING The Whiteshell is a winter wonderland with so many other activities to participate in. Picture a fresh layer of sparkling white snow just waiting for you to carve a fresh trail on one of the many groomed snowmachine trails. Pack a thermos of hot chocolate because you will be ripping it up all day! For the fitness enthusiasts, click into your cross-country skis and get gliding on the endless kilometers of ski trails. More of a relaxed traveller or photo enthusiast? Strap on some snowshoes or a good pair of winter boots and hit the hiking trails with your camera. Have you finger ready on the shutter button as Manitoba’s boreal forest if full of wildlife viewing opportunities. This place has it all and we can’t wait for you to go play outside in eastern Manitoba this winter! For more information on travelling to the Whiteshell visit travelmanitoba.com. n Winter 2023 | HOOKED | 15

CONSERVATION

Lake Trout Research in Manitoba

Giulio Navarroli measuring a lake trout.

Schoen fertilizing and adding disinfecting solution to lake trout eggs in the lab.

Hasler, and Manitoba Fisheries, several management relevant research programs have taken place to study Manitoba’s lake trout populations. These provide critical information to inform regulation. In this article, we will present the research of Brad Howell (M.Sc.), Giulio Navarroli (M.Sc) and Dr. Alexandra Schoen (Post-Doctorate fellow). These researchers have worked tirelessly over the past several years to contribute to the conservation of lake trout.

SEASONAL EFFECTS OF CATCH-AND-RELEASE ON LAKE TROUT

Howell releasing a 41-inch lake trout sampled during his ice fishing experiments.

BY ERIC MULLEN

ake trout are a popular sportfish in Canada and every year thousands of anglers make trips into pristine cold-water lakes in the hopes of catching this iconic species. These fish can grow to lengths exceeding one metre and live past 60 years. They provide excellent table fare, are accessible to anglers both by ice fishing and in the open water and provide the experience of travelling into picturesque, backcountry lakes. Lake trout are an apex predator that require cold-water habitats, often found in Canadian Shield lakes with deep, clear water and an offshore food source (e.g., cisco). Research has shown that lake trout can be particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, introduced species and excessive fishing pressure. Therefore, further research into this species is critical to ensure the sustainability of lake trout fishing. Through a partnership between the Fish Biology and Aquatic Conservation lab at the University of Winnipeg, led by Dr. Caleb 16 | HOOKED | Winter 2023

Brad Howell graduated with a master’s degree in the summer of 2023 after completing his work studying the physiological and behavioural responses of lake trout to catch-and-release (C&R) angling. Howell conducted his research on Clearwater Lake in northwestern Manitoba, a popular lake trout fishery known for its trophy potential. Howell studied the impacts of C&R angling on lake trout for both ice fishing and open water fishing seasons. Howell caught lake trout using conventional angling methods and then took blood samples and conducted reflex tests at various recovery time points to collect stress level and behavioural impairment data. While ice fishing, Howell found that the length of fight time was a predictor of disturbances in several stress indicators. This reinforced the practice of tailoring gear type deliberately for the size of fish you are targeting to limit exhaustion (e.g., don’t “play them out,” use the right gear and land them quickly!). This result was interesting as lake trout are commonly known to belch excess gas to relieve the bloating caused by rapid changes in pressure. Howell’s observations remind us that this mechanism does not protect all lake trout from the harmful effects of barotrauma.

DELAYED MORTALITY Out of the 74 lake trout caught in the summer at a depth of 70 to 80 feet, 23 per cent died post-release, and many of those fish showed signs of barotrauma. Behavioural impairment was more pronounced in deeper water, for larger fish and with extended fight times.

IMPORTANT RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FISH SURVIVAL! Based on these results, anglers should consider avoiding C&R angling for lake trout on bottom in very deep water (e.g., 70 feet or deeper), and should consider having a deep-water release tool on the boat or on the ice.

“Additionally, Howell observed barotrauma in lake trout caught through the ice, which in several cases resulted in the death of fish post-release.” When Howell conducted a similar study in the fall, he observed lower mortality and much less reflex impairment relative to the summer and winter studies. Howell’s findings reinforce the idea that in certain situations (e.g., high water temperatures, ice fishing, deep water, excessive fight times), lake trout are vulnerable to mortality and physical impairment from C&R angling. Therefore, anglers should plan their activities, select their gear and adapt their behaviours accordingly to ensure the best chance of survival.

THE LIFE HISTORY AND BIOLOGY OF LAKE TROUT IN MANITOBA Giulio Navarroli completed his master’s degree in the fall of 2023 studying lake trout stock metrics and life history characteristics across both the northern and southern regions of Manitoba. This information is crucial to our understanding of how lake trout fisheries across the province are performing in terms of growth and abundance. Navarroli used a standardized netting protocol to collect lake trout in a variety of depths and habitat types. He recorded the length, weight, sex and maturity of the fish, as well collected otoliths (ear-bones) to age individual fish and ultimately determine growth patterns for these populations. In this study, Navarroli completed netting programs on two northwestern lakes (Clearwater and Second Cranberry lakes) and five southeastern lakes (Davidson, George, Mantario, High and West Hawk lakes). Navarroli found that growth and abundance varied between lakes and between southern and northern populations. For example, Second Cranberry Lake trout had the greatest average length of 67 centimetres, while the rest of the lakes had an average length value around 52 centimetres. Navarroli only caught Master Angler-sized (at least 89 centimetres) lake trout at Clearwater and Second Cranberry lakes. Lake trout from Clearwater grew the fastest at a rate of 14.4 centimetres per year, while the Second Cranberry Lake population grew the slowest at a rate of 7.9 centimetres per year. High Lake had the fastest growth rate of southern lake trout fisheries at a rate of 10.2 centimetres per year. Interestingly, Navarroli found that lake trout in northern Manitoba existed at higher abundances relative to their southern counterparts, with Clearwater Lake having the highest density of lake trout observed in this study. Age demographics varied across lakes as well. For example, Second Cranberry Lake had the oldest population with an average age of 18 years, while Clearwater Lake had the youngest with an average age of nine years. George Lake had the oldest population of the southern lakes at an average age of 13 years old. Further, Navarroli found that lake trout started to spawn at five to 10 years old, depending on the population. On the topic of differences between lakes, Navarroli said, “one of the interesting parts of this research is that both Clearwater and Second Cranberry have Master Angler-sized lake trout. However, the way these two populations grow to these sizes is quite different. Based on this data, Clearwater lake trout reach trophy sizes at an earlier age than Second Cranberry trout. This highlights the diversity of strategies lake trout can employ to grow, survive and thrive”.

Howell and author Eric Mullen with a big Clearwater lake trout.

Photograph of fertilized lake trout egg taken under a dissecting scope 22 days after fertilization, the curved, shaded shape inside the egg is the embryo, and the dark spot is the eye.

EFFECTS OF ANGLING STRESS ON LAKE TROUT SPAWNING SUCCESS This fall, Dr. Alexandra Schoen began a research program to discover the effects of angling on spawning lake trout and how stress may impact the developing eggs and offspring. This research is critical as it is popular to target trophy lake trout during the spawn, and it is currently unknown whether stressing spawning adult fish will have an effect on the eggs and offspring they produce. On the subject, Schoen said, “In other fish species, there is evidence that stressed females can transmit elevated levels of stress hormones into their eggs. Depending on the species, this could potentially lead to decreased egg quality and condition or could even have a neutral effect. On the other hand, this could also prepare the offspring for stressful conditions, which may be a good thing in the long-term. It is important to know what these impacts are for lake trout to guide future management strategies”.

STRESSES ON SPAWNING FISH To learn more about this process, Schoen traveled to Clearwater Lake in the fall of 2023 to sample lake trout. These fish were angled on spawning reefs, and several treatment groups were established with blood and eggs collected from each fish. She aims to determine whether there is any difference in the quality, condition and stress indicators in eggs taken from stressed females as compared to unstressed females. Schoen also collected milt from several spawning males to fertilize the eggs and brought back the fertilized eggs to the University of Winnipeg. Currently, the eggs are being raised in a lab and tested for mortality, stress hormones, energy content (e.g., how much energy was supplied by the mom) and genetic markers of stress. The results of Schoen’s project will teach us about the potential impacts of angling lake trout during the spawning season and will inform future management for the species.

ANGLERS FUNDING CONSERVATION RESEARCH The research conducted by these members of the Hasler Lab at the University of Winnipeg has provided an abundance of knowledge about lake trout in Manitoba. It is important to note that the Manitoba Fish and Wildlife Enhancement Fund (FWEF) provided funding for these projects. This fund uses proceeds from the sales of fishing licences in Manitoba to support a variety of fishery enhancement and research projects. Anglers are invested conservationists, and we all share a passion to ensure the sustainability of the ecosystems and species we enjoy so that they will be healthy for generations to come. With the FWEF, anglers are supporting research programs that increase the success of our management programs, and show that the angling community is committed to the conservation and sustainable management of our precious fisheries resources. n Winter 2023 | HOOKED | 17

DESTINATION

LAKE MANITOBA SOUTH BASIN GREAT EARLY SEASON WALLEYE DESTINATION

Normally we punch holes at first light in that 6-8ft range and slowly move out to 10-11 feet mid morning. One good suggestion is to stay mobile.

MATT GELLEY HOOKED CONTRIBUTOR

Since we are often on the ice with no snow, I do recommend picking up a good set of ice cleats. Ice conditions on Lake Manitoba are usually uneven and treacherous at the beginning of the season.

LOCATION

Matt Gelley with a beautiful Lake Manitoba walleye.

BY HOOKED CONTRIBUTOR MATT GELLEY AND EDITOR DON LAMONT

arly ice walleye fishing on Lake Manitoba usually outshines all other lakes in the province. Fish tend to be shallow and schooled up in less that eight feet of water. Many savvy ice anglers now use forward facing sonar to locate these pods of fish. The average size class of walleyes are in between 18 and 21 inches. It’s not uncommon to pull out a chunky four-pound eye. The lake is also home to trophy burbot, perch and northern pike. Over the last two years the perch have made a real comeback on the lake. At early ice they tend to be along the first drop-off, which is around 12 feet of water. If you find a good school of perch, the walleye won’t be far behind either. The main forage for pike and walleye 18 | HOOKED | Winter 2023

the last 12 years was emerald shiners but with the resurgence of perch, there has been a bit of a change over, and some walleye are now switching their diet to good sized perch.

DECENT ACCESS It’s a fantastic place to walk out and catch fish. Most of the fishable areas are within 1.5 km from shore and accessible. For some reason, Lake Manitoba seems to produce ice fast, though conditions can change year to year. Part of the reason for that is, in many years there are big north winds in late fall at ice up, building lots of uneven and jagged ice. This can really put a damper in on ice travel. The NASA worldview web app is a great resource to check how the ice is forming.

Walleyes on prairie lakes with featureless flats tend to roam shallow. Bottom composition is usually mud, gravel, or sand. The general rule of thumb is: Find the food and the eyes won’t be far behind. We often mark schools of emerald shiners and tullibee higher up in the water column. Baitfish come through looking like a band of weak signals on your sonar. Walleyes tend to push schools of bait up real shallow during low light periods into the morning. Concept is to trap food in between the ice and the shore. The pure amount of forage in the lake is why these fish are so healthy and thick. Yellow Perch is also a favourite snack.

FIND THE KEY DEPTH Normally we punch holes at first light in that 6-8ft range and slowly move out to 10-11 feet mid morning. One good suggestion is to stay mobile. Once the bite slows down, making 50 yard moves parallel down the shore in the same depth range can make a difference. Move around a bit. Morning can produce a few fish, but Lake Manitoba is best known for the last light bite into dark. Evening seems to be the best time to intercept hungry feeding

eyes. Remember, these fish are on the prowl and willing to hit a variety of baits. Good idea to setup shallow again an hour before dark.

PRESENTATION A lot of baits we use on Lake Winnipeg are great options to try on Lake Manitoba. Rattle baits are a great way to call in fish that are roaming on the flats. We always have a Jackall TN60 Rattle bait tied up on a rod with a dead stick jig and minnow in the adjacent hole. One fantastic option when the eyes are in a neutral to positive mood, is to throw down a Hyper-glide tipped with a minnow head on the bottom treble. We experienced this last year on marks that needed coaxing. Be patient and don’t set the hook too soon. Let the rod tip load up for second or two before setting the hook.

COLOUR SELECTION Action of the presentation is probably more important than colour selection. We all have our favourites, but chartreuse and pink have been staple colours over the years. Having a couple rods rigged up with different baits is a good idea. The ability to throw down a different presentation

on the fly is crucial. The cadence of your presentation is very important to trigger strikes. Figure out the jigging pattern and your golden! No pun intended.

ACCESS POINTS There are multiple access points around the south basin to get on the lake. Google Earth is a useful tool to find places to park and walk out. St. Ambroise, St. Laurent, and Twin Beaches off Highway # 6 are popular areas to fish on the east side. Not

all access points provide truck access. There is a boat launch at the end of Twin Beach Road to drive on once the ice is thick enough. Delta beach, North of Portage La Prairie off Provincial Road # 240, is another great option. There is a large parking lot on the west end of Hackberry Ave right on the beach. Obviously, with lots of snow, a tracked vehicle is king for being mobile along the shorelines if you head out later in the season. n

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Winter 2023 | HOOKED | 19

Hardwater Adventures in

MANITOBA

HOME OF THE MASTER ANGLER!

Scan to see all the ice-fishing opportunies at huntfishmanitoba.ca 20 | HOOKED | Winter 2023

Manitoba is home to the oldest master angler program in North America, 62 years and going strong. Last year alone, more than 10,000 trophy fish from 30 qualifying species were caught and recorded - and almost 92% of those were released! It means, this province has a diversity of angling opportunities that can boggle the mind. While many have heard about the mighty greenback walleye of Lake Winnipeg, in recent years we have developed a first-class crappie fishery on the east side of the province. We also probably have the best channel catfish fishery in the world. For years trophy fish of this species have been protected from harvest. This means many have a life span of 15 years or more. All this is centred around the Red and Assiniboine Rivers along with Lake Winnipeg. Also flying under the radar are the great stocked trout waters that are available in many parts of the province. We even have some different trout species like tiger trout that grow to massive proportions. You can find out about the diversity of species on the Master Angler home page. Here all the record catches are listed in the data base. Check it out at https://anglers.travelmanitoba.com/ We also have over 200 lodges and outfitters in this province who supply world class experiences. They exist in all corners of Manitoba with the south providing a variety of drive-to experiences and the north both drive-to and fly in. These can be found on the Hunt/Fish Manitoba website at https://huntfishmanitoba.ca.

Manitoba Our cold winters are a gateway to unreal ice fishing opportunities, offering favorable access to numerous lakes and rivers and a wide variety of trophy species. Yellow perch, northern pike, lake trout, greenback walleye, rainbow trout, and black crappie are all popular choices for our loyal ice anglers, as are the remote back country and easily accessible fisheries that Manitoba offers in abundance.

Getting here is easy! For our American friends we are easy access driving straight up the I29 through our main border crossing at Emerson MB. Once here, there are so many options for drive-to destinations. Check out https://huntfishmanitoba. ca/go-fishing/ice-fishing for more information on guides and accommodations.

Winter 2023 | HOOKED | 21

HARDWATER ADVENTURES IN MANITOBA

Regions of Manitoba

Northern Manitoba Ice Fishing Experience

O By HuntFishMB

NORTHERN MANITOBA You can choose from the ultimate five star adventure or the remote fly-in outcamp were you have the lake all to yourself. Many of our northern lakes have lake trout that grow to massive proportions. Still, for those looking for giant fish, the northern pike are still the number one sport fish for anglers who head to the upper half of the province. Strict size restrictions and barbless hook regulations make sure it stays that way. CENTRAL MANITOBA We have some big water in this province like mighty Lake Winnipeg. Not far behind though is it’s neighbour to the west, Lake Manitoba. The walleye and perch fishing here are tremendous. The average size of the walleye are good, but it doesn’t produce the mega size fish that Lake Winnipeg does. This lake also produces some incredible action for freshwater drum, with fish over 20 pounds caught every year. WESTERN MANITOBA The number of stocked trout lakes in this part of the province is impressive. A ton of stocking has been done and continues to be on a wide variety of lakes. Probably the two most impressive are Patterson Lake for brown trout and Twin Lakes for tiger trout. It also features Lake of the Prairies, which could be the second-best walleye lake for numbers and size in Manitoba. Huge pike and Master Angler perch also swim in this fertile reservoir. This incredible fishery is located right along the Manitoba/Saskatchewan border. Manitoba, so much to offer. Plan your trip now!

More Overnight Fun On the Ice! The Manitoba government is expanding a program that allows commercial tourism outfitters the opportunity to create unique overnight accommodations on ice for anglers and eco-tourists. This winter, commercial tourism outfitters will have the opportunity to offer overnight accommodations on ice on 20 waterbodies throughout Manitoba. The expanded program will allow both new and existing resource tourism operators to apply to offer overnight accommodations on ice. 22 | HOOKED | Winter 2023

ver the last three years northern Manitoba lodges have embraced the idea of offering a winter guided ice fishing adventure.

BAKERS NARROWS LODGE Bakers Narrows Lodge has guides and heated on ice tracked vehicles to get you where you want to go! Bakers Narrows Lodge, located on the shores of the legendary Lake Athapapuskow, home to some of the world’s best drive-to lake trout ice fishing. Each moment your bait is soaking at the bottom of this deep Canadian shield lake, there is a legitimate chance of a 45”+ monster lake trout taking you on the fight of your life! Bakers Narrows has also become known for its stunning main lodge building and comfortable, private cabins with all the amenities. The Lodge is just a 7.5-hour drive north of Winnipeg, where guests enjoy paved highways the entire way. The lodge itself is located on the shores of Little Athapapuskow Lake;

VIKING LODGE - CRANBERRY LAKE Located relatively close by to Bakers Narrows, the owners have winterized two more cabins to bring the total available to three. Viking lodge is a year-round fishing lodge located in Cranberry Portage. Owned and operated by Paul, Anita, Matthew, and Sharnell Wiens. The Lodge is situated on the beautiful shores of First Cranberry on the Cranberry Chain of Lakes. This system is the birthplace of the Grass River system with historic roots in the North American Fur Trade. It’s fitting that a place so firmly rooted in Canadian history has some of the most incredible multi-species angling opportunities in the entire province. Viking Lodge has become well known for its high-action lake trout fishing with exceptional average size and a chance at trophy-sized lakers every day. However, Viking also has worldclass walleye fishing with an average size that is out of this world and a great chance at Master Angler with each drop of the lure. Beyond that, there are fastpaced tip-up pike fishing opportunities on several scenic back-country lakes

A nice Viking Lodge world-class walleye.

where guests will enjoy a scenic sled ride across to the big Lake where they will be targeting these behemoth lakers. To learn more about the Ice fishing opportunities at Bakers Narrows Lodge, Visit their website BakersNarrowsLodge.com.

and non-stop burbot action just a short hop from the laker spots! Viking truly has a world-class fishery at their doorstep. The main lodge also offers a pile of amenities to make your packing for this trip incredibly easy. From an awesome restaurant, tackle shop with everything

A beast of a lake trout from Bakers Narrows.

To learn more about ice fishing in Manitoba at Viking Lodge visit their website www.vikinglodge.ca.

CLEARWATER LAKE IS A LAKE TROUT FACTORY!

Clearwater Lake Monster laker.

you will need, regular and premium gas, propane and more! Viking also offers the services of guides Matt and Paul who know these bodies of what like no one else and are sure to make a trip to Viking Lodge, one to remember.

Clearwater Lake, located In Manitoba’s Northern Region has become well known worldwide for exactly its namesake Incredibly clear water. However, for anglers around North America, this lake has become well known for different reasons - its incredible lake trout fishing opportunities. Nearly a decade ago this massive fishery exploded in popularity for the topnotch lake trout Ice fishing opportunities. At the forefront of this was and is Ken Kobelka of Evergreen Lodge & Resort. Ken has been providing accommodations and guiding ice anglers in search of their catch of a lifetime since the beginning of this surge in popularity. More recently, Ken’s Grandson Josh Kobelka has taken over for the guiding portion of this business under the name Clearwater Outfitters. Josh has

learned from the best...his Grandpa, over the course of his lifetime, and we assure you, you’re in good hands with Josh. Evergreen Resort’s accommodations include several cabins, a loft, a suite and the main lodge. These accommodations have nearly all the amenities of home and are sure to suit the needs of any angler. Clearwater Lake itself is one of only three “Blue” Lakes in the entire world. The water is crystal clear and totally free of pollutants. The lake is about 15 miles long and 15 miles wide. Water depth can be more than 100 feet in many parts of the lake which provide excellent habitat to grow trophy lake trout. Ice anglers often enjoy the use of an underwater camera on this lake as visibility is still great in depths more than 80 feet! If you would like to book a trip to Evergreen Lodge on Clearwater Lake, visit evergreenlodgeandresort.com, and to book the guiding services of Josh at Clearwater Outfitters, visit bigbearhunts.com. n Winter 2023 | HOOKED | 23

In my preferred destination, the transition from edges of drop offs along main lake basins hold big perch from mid-January to the end of March.

Valley of the Yellow Perch! BY MIKE SWEATMAN

From the heights of the highway along these lakes, it is obvious that my honey hole is not unique. Permanent shelters and pop-up shacks provide a visible marker of the contour line that holds perch and walleye from one end of the lake to the other. All this space allows you to find your own special spot and a good indication of where to start.

I am as guilty as the next guy for travelling an obscene distance to fish when there is a perfectly good fishery close to home. I am lucky to live within an hour’s drive of a consistent perch factory in the lakes of the Qu’Appelle Valley. If you are not close to this destination fishery, it is well worth it to set up a trip.

STRUCTURE

t will be a memory for a lifetime. My youngest son had a deep bend in his light-action rod, a huge smile on his face, and his first yellow perch coming up the hole in the ice. The perch that was toying with his lure finally committed. A quick measurement revealed a respectable 11.5-inch specimen.

At first sight, the lake bottom is a featureless expanse of sand next to a towering slope. It seems an odd place to hold fish, but between 26 and thirty-two feet deep, the light penetration changes dramatically. It would seem the darkness offers

LOCATION It was a fluke that I found my “honey hole”. In late August of that year, I caught a trophy rock bass while trolling for walleye. There was no sign of a rock pile on the sonar to explain the presence of the bass. My curiosity drove me to explore the area during ice season using my underwater camera. I never found any special structure, but it was evident that this area was loaded with huge perch! Round, Crooked, and Buffalo Pound Lake are favoured by perch anglers.

THE CHAIN LAKES! Formed by glacial run-off, most of the Chain lakes are narrow, long, and relatively deep. Buffalo Pound Lake is the exception; it is uniform in depth and the shallowest of the lot. 24 | HOOKED | Winter 2023

some protection. The perch are lethargic and do not look to waste any energy having to flee from predators. Many of these

big perch are female, and much of their energy reserves go toward egg maturation. The presence of forage may also explain the perches’ haunt. The healthy population of micro-invertebrates at this lowlight depth (aka those annoying orbs that swim by obscuring your underwater camera) attract cisco fry. The odd crayfish—a preferred meal of these jumbo perch—are seen here, too.

A SLEEP IN KIND OF FISHERY Last February, I took a colleague out. We both had obligations in the afternoon, so we set out at a ridiculous hour. We were on the ice and had fish marked on the electronics long before anyone else. Turns out, we were the fools. Other than a few tiny walleye smacking our hooks at dawn, the perch stayed in a torpor-like state until 10:30 am. Once a certain amount of light penetrated the depths, they started to bite. As the sun crept up, the perch slowed down and disappeared. We repositioned a short distance away in slightly deeper water and were instantly back on the fish. The perch preferred a particular amount of light to feed by. On a subsequent trip, the same pattern emerged. This time, I stayed until nightfall. The late afternoon saw the yellow perch shift back to the shallower spot, bite for 45 minutes and shut right down in an almost perfect inverse of the morning. Staying mobile is important, even if it is short moves, so minimize the amount of gear you pull out.

TECHNIQUE When the bite is on, it is slow, cautious, yet consistent. Electronics are the key to success. The light bites and subtle changes in behaviour make this fishery an excellent opportunity to hone your skills on your sonar or camera. During that February outing, my colleague deployed his old-school flasher while I stared at my underwater camera. Both of us were successful reading the fishes’ demeanor; he studied the little red lines, and I interpreted the body language of the perch. Small, beaded lures tipped with a meal worm, outperform a small minnow. I prefer tungsten beaded fly jigs as they sink rapidly and imitate insect larvae. One tip I picked up studying bluegill and crappie anglers is to tie your lure in a horizontal presentation. There are fancy knots for this but taking the time to slide a standard clinch knot to the bottom of the eyelet will have your hook pointing out sideways. The perch tend to nose your bait, so having a hook pointed at their face

JUMBO PERCH PREDICAMENT

improves the hookset. I find it also helps your mealworm bait stick up when you lay your lure in the sand. Perch generally find this irresistible. A general rule I follow is the less effort required by the perch, the higher chance it will attempt to bite. There is one thing that seems to fire up the lackadaisical perch. When the perch are focused on your lure but not offering to bite, try to pound the bottom to cause a puff of sediment. The resulting cloud of silt temporarily hides your lure and the perch become elevated. Slowly raise your lure out of the dust storm and it usually triggers a reaction bite. Let’s face it, after the excitement of first ice, the hard-water season can get slow once temperatures plummet. It is great to have a fishery to fall back on such as yellow perch in the Chain Lakes of the Qu’Appelle Valley. For the majority of the day, the fish are lethargic, but they can be enticed to bite through good technique and an effective application of electronics. n

Few anglers would pass up an opportunity to land consecutive large perch. With a perch limit of 25 and no size restrictions, the Angler Regulations support a large harvest. It can’t hurt to keep a handful for dinner, right? There are two problems with my honey hole scenario. First, most of the jumbo perch are egg-bearing females. Second, the depth of the fish. Studies show that female perch are generally larger than males and take longer to reach sexual maturity—two to four years on average. Anglers harvesting perch tend to retain female fish due to their larger size. Further, if the smallest of the egg-bearing perch I harvested are three years old, imaging how long it takes for a 12 or 13-inch perch to grow. Most of us would never keep a 29inch walleye, but rarely release a 12-inch perch. More so, female perch can lay 30,000 to 100,000 eggs. The older they are, the more eggs produced. I caught six-hundred thousand perch, not six! No matter how strong a fish population is, it is troubling to think what impact the collective harvest of all the perch anglers could pose. Although the eggs can be eaten, not many anglers do. Once I weighed the fillets and the eggs and found the yield to be nearly the same. It seems wasteful anyway you look at it. There is a difference between legal and ethical; I can live with exercising restraint by harvesting small numbers and by limiting the number of outings in a season.

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Smoked In! Self guided adventure encounters wildfire haze

BY WES DAVID HOST & PRODUCER OF FISHING THE WILD WEST TV

s we were driving up from Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, to Lac La Ronge, the city of Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories, was being evacuated due to the approaching forest fires. As we drove even further north through Lac La Ronge to Missinipe, Saskatchewan, all that was on the radio was the news about the devastating forest fires in British Columbia and the Northwest Territories. The forest fires had just been upgraded and were now being called wildfires. We checked the forest fire app on our phones and there were no fires burning in or even close to where we would be flying into, so we were confident with our decision, to fly into our remote self-guided fishing location. 26 | HOOKED | Winter 2023

The next morning, we loaded the floatplane with all our camera equipment and fishing gear in Missinipe, Saskatchewan, the home of Thompson’s Resort. We were booked to shoot a selfguided fishing episode of Fishing the Wild West TV on Upper Foster Lake, one of 12 Adventure Destinations remote self-guided fishing locations. Once the floatplane was loaded, we boarded the de Havilland Beaver and taxied out to the middle of Otter Lake for takeoff. Once airborne, I could hear the hum of the engine, and like always, it quickly put me to sleep. We flew 45 minutes northeast to Upper Foster Lake. I woke up as the pilot circled the remote fishing camp. From the window, I could see a rustic but modern cabin on one of the many islands.

NOT JUST ANOTHER FLY-IN ADVENTURE Adventure Destinations remote fly-in fishing camps are complete with generator power, boats, motors, and most of the comforts of home, including a fridge, stove, and freezer. Once the floatplane landed and taxied to the dock, we unloaded and got our gear in the cabin. Before the pilot left, we started the generator to get the fridge and freezer running to keep our food cold and gave the pilot a final wave goodbye. Then we turned our attention to getting the boat and our fishing gear ready for three full days on the water doing battle with northern pike and lake trout.

PIKE IN THE CABBAGE It was the first week of September and the northern pike were where they were

supposed to be. In the shallow bays in the thick vegetation otherwise known as cabbage. In every bay, northern pike were aggressively hitting a Northern King Lure. Some bays would hold 30-inch northern pike and smaller, while other bays that looked the same as every other bay would hold 30-inch northern pike and larger. The narrow profile and light weight of the Northern King Lure from Len Thompson Lures was the perfect lure to create flash and vibration. It was key to retrieve this lure just fast enough to swim above the submerged vegetation. Northern pike would come out of the vegetation to hit the lure, then bury themselves back in the thick weed growth. Over the three days of fishing, we lost count of the 40-inch northern pike we caught and released. The afternoons were filled with northern pike fishing, while we focused our mornings and evenings on lake trout. However, we quickly learned that the lake trout were scattered.

PRESPAWN FISH WERE SCATTERED It was September 2nd, and the lake trout were in a pre-spawn transition from deep water to shallow water. They were scattered throughout the water column, and we found them by three-way rigging and trolling an 8 oz Cattail Sinker Weight from Thundermist Lure Company and three feet of 20lb Sunline Fluorocarbon fluttering a Northern King Lure behind the weight. We picked up lake trout of all sizes from 50 to 25 feet of water. Gold, silver, and white, colours were hit the most and produced the larger lake trout. The lake trout fought hard, and as lake trout often do, they fought right to the net. It was three days of some of the best northern pike and lake trout fishing I have ever experienced. However, on the fourth morning, we were in for a surprise. This was the day the floatplane was scheduled to come and get us. When we woke up that morning the smoke was so thick that we couldn’t separate the sky from the water. Throughout the night, the

wind direction had changed, and it blew in the thick smoke from the wildfires in the Northwest Territories. Over morning coffee on the deck of the cabin, Chuck, and I both looked at each other and said at the same time. “The plane won’t be able to fly in this”. We had no cell service, but when you book a trip and fish at any of ADI’s remote selfguided fly-in fishing camps, you are given a satellite phone and an In Reach satellite system so you can communicate with Thompson’s Resort. Not only were our thoughts confirmed, but we were also told the winds out of the north were forecasted for the next three days.

TIME TO RATION When you do these remote self-guided fishing adventures, you have to bring in your own food. Instantly, we went into survival mode. Food and water were not our greatest concern. We had a large lake full of fish right outside our cabin door and we could boil water for cooking and drinking. However, we instantly did a food inventory. We had an extra day of vegetables, a can of brown beans, a can of pasta sauce, enough spaghetti for one meal, and half a loaf of bread. However, we would have to immediately begin to ration fuel for the boat and generator. Chores, which became routine, took on a new meaning and were done with more caution. Now that a plane can’t come and get you if there is an injury, time to be careful! You swing the axe while cutting fire with more caution. You pay closer attention when walking and foot placement. And the little things we take for granted, like lighting the wood-burning stove and even removing a hook from a fish’s mouth, all take on a different meaning when and plane can’t come for you. There was nothing we could do but wait for the smoke to clear. To save fuel in the generator we didn’t run it during the day. Normally, we would run the generator for three hours during the day

to keep the fridge and food cold and the food in the freezer frozen. That was not a concern now. We spent the days fishing, but we went to closer locations that we found earlier in the week that were known good fishing. Truthfully, the smoke got so bad, we had to spend more time in the cabin than we hoped due to the poor air quality. Our throats were very dry, our eyes were dry, scratchy, and burning, and our voices became very raspy. We were in no immediate danger, and we were in constant communication with Thompson’s Resort. We knew they would be coming for use as soon as it was safe to fly. We woke up the sixth morning and instantly began to smile. The wind had changed, and the smoke was clearing. We called Thompson’s Resort to give them our morning report and received good news from their end as well. The smoke was clearing, and they would be in the air as soon as possible. It was 2:30 p.m. and we heard the floatplane in the distance. All our gear was packed, and we began to take it down to the dock to be loaded as soon as the plane landed. It was a humbling experience. However, what I took away from the experience was this. Why did I have to be in a survival situation before I took my everyday chores and actions and many other things, that I often take for granted, seriously? And why don’t I make northern pike chowder more often? Adventure Destinations has a variety of different remote self-guided fly-out fishing adventures, day fly-outs, and the all-inclusive Twin Falls Lodge. All of them are an amazing fishing adventure for avid anglers. n

Winter 2023 | HOOKED | 27

HISTORY

LAKE WINNIPEG ICE FISHING HISTORY

The author Don Lamont with friend Murray Olafson.

BY DON LAMONT

t is no secret that some of the largest walleyes in North America call Lake Winnipeg home. As such, ice fishing for trophy greenbacks on this Manitoba inland ocean is a pursuit that thousands of anglers will attempt this hardwater season. From the earliest days of safe ice to the very last hours of the walleye angling season in the spring, the possibility of hooking into a monster is always there! The south basin sees the highest concentration of recreational ice angling. Access points dot the shoreline on the west and east sides. Aside from extreme snow cover and/or ice conditions, every manner of transport is doable on the lake from passenger vehicles to ATVs to towable fish houses. High percentage fishable water is merely walking distance from shore, particularly during early and late ice when vehicle use can be limited.

OVERNIGHT ACCOMMODATION Just last year, three outfitters were approved to offer overnight accommodation on Lake Winnipeg. This year there 28 | HOOKED | Winter 2023

could be many more as the application process expands to 19 more areas of the province.

and true presentations such as jig and bait, lipless cranks, and swimming jigs are never bad choices.

THE BEST TIME?

EARLY ICE

There is no particular ‘best time’ to aim for when planning a trip here. Safe ice for walking onto the big lake is generally mid to late December. The end of the general angling season in the southern portion of the province is around the first few days of April. Big walleye are caught throughout the winter with the deep freeze days of January and February actually slightly better for size the last few years. Tracking down a pod of fish can be done during a day’s fishing if you are mobile enough and have a bit of luck. During a span of consecutive days however, it is very achievable with some effort to get on top of and stay on a school. Deciding what to tie on won’t necessarily make or break you on Lake Winnipeg. A wide variety of ice lures will fool a greenback into inhaling your offering. Trial and error, using a collection of ice rods for efficiency, and noting the activity on your electronics will tell you what they want best. This can vary by the day. Tried

Local anglers will attest that the best water to hit for early ice walleye action is on the Red River. The big fish opportunities on the stretch of water from Lockport Dam all the way downstream to the ‘End of Main’ is a real thing. The first time I ice fished the big lake was over thirty years ago. I know we caught a few fish, but much of the time during the winter was spent on the Red River. We had figured out over the years that at certain times of the ice season fish related to different areas of the Red.

DECEMBER ON THE RED RIVER Early ice, for example, saw us drilling holes north of the bridge to nowhere. (Just north of Selkirk) We had found an avid ice fisherman that didn’t mind us accessing the river from his property. From there, it was a short walk onto the river to a couple of deep stretches of river that held suspended walleye. That’s right, the walleye would be suspended 10 feet over 20 during late November until Christmas. After that, it was a search and seek mission, travelling by vehicle most years up and down the river searching. There was one year, around 2006, that the stretch on the north side of the Selkirk golf course was absolutely stacked with walleye, most in the two to three pound range, but some big fish as well.

THE CHANGEOVER As the years went on, we wanted to explore Lake Winnipeg in the winter. It really started changing around 2008 when the Red started slowing down and more ambitious anglers were pushing out on the big lake. Wondering how I remember all of this? An extensive archive of stories and photos certainly helps. I have been writing a column in the Winnipeg Free Press since 1992 and new material is needed all the time. It certainly motivated me to get out as much as I could. In 2008, friend Jim Price and I headed out from Chalet Beach Road at first ice, walking out with all our equipment stuffed in sleigh. We only walked out a quarter of a mile, but we caught fish. That opened the floodgates for many more trips, the Red River all but forgotten.

Doug Watkinson and staff implanting radio transmitter in a Lake Winnipeg walleye.

in at 13 pounds! Lee Nolden, the grandfather of ice fishing on Lake Winnipeg was along that day as well. Murray had been reading in my Free Press column the success anglers had been having in the south basin closer to Winnipeg that year. He figured it must be just as good near Hecla Island. As it turned out, it was spectacular! The electro-shock boat collecting samples.

THE NEW FRONTIER! Lake Winnipeg was the new frontier and its fame spread far and wide through social media. Pictures of monster greenback walleye flood the ether and anglers from across North America flocked to this walleye mecca. From about 2009 to 2017 the fishing on the big lake was spectacular. Honestly, most days we went out and just started drilling holes, catching fish on pretty much every spot we tried. Then something changed. Our catches were not as consistent anymore and we had to move around a lot until we found a good school of fish. Then in 2018 and 2019 the catch rated dropped off dramatically.

CATCH RATES PLUMMET! Don Lamont with Murray and Lee Nolden.

MOVING UP THE LAKE! Later that same year I got an invite from friend Murray Olafson to come up to Riverton to join him for a day on the ice in late March. To this day, it was the best ice fishing I have ever had. Between five anglers we must have landed close to 300 walleyes, including one fish that weighed

This was substantiated by a survey conducted by Wildlife and Fisheries that is outlined in an article by Dr. Brian Parker. You can read it all at https://www.hookedmagazine.ca/the-impact-of-ice-fishing-onlake-winnipeg. According to the survey done in 2018 and 2019, anglers success ratio had dropped substantially from earlier surveys. There were some other reasons for that, including tough conditions to get

around on the ice. But it had been a worrying trend for a few years. This was reflected in creel surveys conducted by the Fisheries Branch.

REGULATION CHANGES NEEDED As a result, changes had to be made reverse the trend and allow for sustainability of the resource. This included a change in walleye limits and retention size on the lake and a mesh size increase for commercial fisherman. The government is committed to a stricter management of this valuable resource and things are starting to look up. Commercial licenses are being retired as well through a provincial buy out program. Then the pandemic came along with a huge drop in demand of commercially caught fish.

SUSTAINABILITY THE KEY Manitoba Fisheries is currently in the process of doing a updated status report on the big lake. The department is also involved with stakeholder meeting with the various commercial fishing groups. Almost all see the value of Eco Certification on all the commercial fisheries in the province. Winter 2023 | HOOKED | 29

CRUCIAL DATA FOR FISHERIES MANAGEMENT The work that Federal fisheries biologist Doug Watkinson and his team are doing, provides crucial information to managers to make informed and scientific evidence-based decisions around species protection, habitat restoration, and instream flow needs. This is incredibly fascinating information can be found on the Hooked website.

LAKE WINNIPEG IS BACK!

Petro Hrynda with a monster greenback.

These studies supply a much-needed baseline for implementation of sustainable fisheries, something that has been lacking in the past. Many of the indigenous commercial fishers have embraced the change, with Waterhen becoming the first Eco Certified commercial walleye and pike fishery in this part of the world. One of the keys to managing any fishery is understanding fish movement. To provide that data in 2016, Fisheries and Oceans Canada in partnership with the

Universities of Manitoba, Nebraska–Lincoln, and Lakehead as well as the Province of Manitoba began the Lake Winnipeg Basin Fish Movement Project. The project involves a network of underwater acoustic receivers in the Lake Winnipeg basin, allowing researchers to track movement, behavior, and interactions of tagged fish. Beside the walleye they include bigmouth buffalo, burbot, channel catfish, Common Carp, Freshwater Drum, Lake Sturgeon, and Lake Whitefish.

Walleye • Pike • Perch Pelican Lake, Manitoba

ICE FISHING

Whether you try out the SnoBear, kick back in the Ice Castle or drop a line in one of our shacks we know you’ll enjoy your time and we can’t wait to host you! Bait, accommodations and transport can be can be arranged to shacks and ice castles if required.

OPEN WATER Boat Rentals • Pontoon Rentals Kayak Rentals • Guided Fishing Bait • Accommodations

Call today 204-724-0371 www.iceholefishingadventures.ca 30 | HOOKED | Winter 2023

Open water catch rates this year were spectacular on Lake Winnipeg with a resurgence of the walleye stocks. Many master angler fish have been caught already and this ice fishing season promises to be tremendous for trophy walleye. Zebra Mussels have increased water clarity dramatically so some changes in presentation are needed. Forward facing sonar can be game changers to find fish but once found turning them off can be helpful, especially in shallow water. When coming up to ice fish this winter, make sure you check ice conditions in advance and access points. Probably the best resource is free to use. It is called the Lake Winnipeg Report and you can find it on Facebook. n

5 STAR FISHING & HUNTING PACKAGES

We have numerous hunting & fishing packages to suit your style. All our guides have extensive experience guiding on Last Mountain Lake.

RENT A FISHING OR PONTOON BOAT!

We offer many boats that are available to rent for the morning or the full day. From boat slips to canoes, we have it all!

Fishing • Hunting • Cabin Rental • Boat Rental • Kayak & Paddleboards • General Store • Bait & Tackle •

LAST MOUNTAIN LAKE, SK Call: 866-334-3306 Email: fish@gsmarina.com Website: gsmarina.com

Winter 2023 | HOOKED | 31

NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO

THE PASSION OF MUSKY FISHING

the heart of Sunset Country. From my house, Eagle Lake is 10 minutes, Wabigoon is 20 minutes, Cedar is 30 minutes, Indian Chain is 20 minutes, Canyon is 30 minutes. Should I choose to go a little further, LOTW is 60 minutes, Lac Suel is 60 minutes. Infamous Long Legged/Stork Lake is two and a half hours. I haven’t even mentioned all the smaller lakes with muskies. We have a hard time choosing where to go on different days, how would a first time musky angler ever decide?

WHAT ARE YOUR EXPECTATIONS

BY GLENN MCDONALD

ll summer you see pictures of anglers holding huge muskies. All winter you watch every musky video you can find. Whether you have caught one or not, you know you are ready to make the commitment to become a musky angler. You buy some gear and hit the lake, day after day of no action, why? Why is it so hard? Why does social media make it look so easy? Why can’t you catch one? It’s not you, really, you’re just not in the right spot.

in freshwater fishing. The chance to hold and interact with these magnificent creatures is amazing. I have watched my girls catch their very first musky, the excitement on their faces is priceless. Watching guests hook into one and not expecting the kind of fight they put up, you can’t prepare them for that. The hours of nothing disappear in the moments of pandemonium! I’ll give 10,000 casts for that any day.

NOT EVERY0NE’S CUP OF TEA

SUNSET COUNTRY IS MUSKY COUNTRY

They don’t call it the fish of 10,000 casts for nothing. Musky fishing is not for everyone, there I said it. Let’s get that out of the way. If you are not prepared to spend hours, even days with little to no action, then this sport might not be for you. For those of us that are prepared to put in the time, the reward is unlike anything else

No other area in North America is coveted more than Sunset Country by musky anglers. The sheer amount of lakes holding trophy muskies draw thousands of anglers every year. The relative lack of pressure on our home waters is a big change from overfished metro lakes in the US Midwest. For me, home is Vermilion Bay, Ontario,

32 | HOOKED | Winter 2023

This can not be understated enough. Most anglers, including myself, are not honest with themselves before they plan a trip. What is the goal of a fishing trip? If, hypothetically speaking, Mike is a firsttime musky angler and the closest lake to him is known to produce big fish, however the numbers are low. Would that be a good choice to learn how to musky fish? Simple answer, No. Ask around, do your research, find the closest lake with a large fishable population of muskies. The only way to get better at musky fishing is to actually catch them. Sounds so simple, however we (me included) get caught up chasing a trophy and lose sight of actually catching fish. Back to Mike, this time he is an accomplished musky angler, has many big fish under his belt, he is coming to Sunset Country with one goal in mind, a true giant musky. Right off the bat he is going to rule out smaller, numbers-only types of lakes. He wants to fish big water and understands the ‘needle in a haystack’ analogy. Which angler are you? Don’t worry, there are lots of anglers that fall halfway between those two. Which am I? I’m both, we balance our time hunting giants on lakes like Eagle and Cedar with trips on numbers lakes like Indian Chain and Ord Lake.

THE OPPORTUNITY TO CATCH A TRUE GIANT IS THERE It’s true that LOTW is a close second in most musky circles, but ask almost any angler which lake is the ‘bucket list’ destination? Eagle Lake, period. Plain and simple, for me, my money is on Eagle Lake being the destination for a chance at a true giant musky. Eagle offers so many different types of water to fish, from the clear trout waters of the west arm to the stained, shallower waters of the southeast basins. If you are a musky angler, you owe it to yourself to fish Eagle Lake at least once in your lifetime. Cedar Lake, and adjacent Perrault Lake blur the lines between numbers-only and trophy waters. So many big fish are caught on this system that it warrants mention

as a true trophy destination. Like Eagle it offers different water clarity based on the location you fish. Clear water in the west arm of Cedar, and most of Perrault. Green stain in the center section of Cedar, and clay stained in the east basin of Cedar. One would be hard pressed not to encounter big fish on either of these lakes. On the flipside, both lakes are loaded with thirty six to forty four inch muskies.

GET THE CAMERA AND THE NET READY Ready to feel the thrill of catching a musky? Go fish where there are lots of muskies. Sunset Country is home to many lakes that can provide you with ample opportunities to slide the net under a musky. Indian Lake Chain has always been thought of as one of those lakes. Numbers, nice overall size and potential at a 50’ class fish, what’s not to like? Oh, add in the possibility of catching a tiger musky and it could be the only destination you look at. In my opinion the overall numbers may be down slightly, but the overall average size is up. This makes it a great lake to spend a day chasing muskies. Slightly off the beaten path, Ord Lake is a musky hunters paradise. Absolutely

loaded with muskies, catching double digit numbers each day is not uncommon. And again, it has true 50”+ class fish! A short drive down a logging road, so it rules out bringing the big Ranger into this lake, it’s perfect for smaller tiller boats. The landing is rocky and firm, so it doesn’t pose an issue for most 4x4 pickup trucks. Ord Lake might have the most weeds you will ever find in Northwestern Ontario. If you like fishing weeds for muskies, this one’s for you! Fishing lakes with high fishable populations of muskies is a great way to learn how to become a musky angler. Like I said earlier, the only way to get better is to actually catch fish. Next time you plan a musky trip, be honest with yourself. Know what your goals are. Looking for a trophy fish? My picks are Eagle Lake or Cedar/Perrault Lake. For the record, those are the lakes we fish. Looking for a first musky, or wanting to have an action packed day? Check out Indian Lake Chain or Ord Lake. Both of those lakes make great destinations for honing your musky skills. For guided musky trips I can be reached at musky@54orbust.com. For musky related videos check out our youtube channel at https://www.youtube. com/c/54orbust. n

TROPHY WATERS VS NUMBERS-ONLY WATERS Most anglers can tell what trophy waters will mean. Low density of fish, high probability of a big fish, if you can encounter one. On those lakes you are literally swinging for the fences. What is meant by ‘Numbers-only” lakes? For years musky anglers would refer to lakes as either trophy waters or numbers-only. Most, not all, numbers-only lakes would produce high fishable populations of muskies, however would generally not hold fish over 48”. Over the years that has changed, mostly due to fishing ethics. Long gone are the days of keeping muskies as trophies. Catch and release has helped these numbers-only lakes transform into some of the best overall lakes in the region.

Enjoy what Manitoba has to offer with true professionals in the Outdoor Industry. Visit us at Manitoba Lodges and Outfitters to find your next outdoor adventure! MLOA.COM

Winter 2023 | HOOKED | 33

CAMP COOK HuntFishMB Recipes

Walleye Pasta

BY JOSH MCFADDIN Walleyes are one of those fish that we all seem to have a lot of experience catching, harvesting and eating. When it comes to the eating part, everyone has their favourite ways to prepare the mild flesh but I often find that theres a touch of creativity lacking when it comes to diversifying cooking methods, because, why fix something that ain’t broke? I like to mix it up as often as possible when it comes to familiar foods, however, and I think this simple delicious dish is a way to utilize common ingredients and transform your next catch into a savoury hardy meal.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED • 2 walleye fillets • 2 cloves of garlic, diced fine • 1 handful of olives, rough chopped • 2 Tablespoons of capers, whole or rough chopped • 2 handfuls of cherry tomatoes, halved • 1 Tablespoon of lemon zest • Juice of ½ a lemon • ¼ Cup sundried tomatoes • 2 servings of your favourite noodles • ¼ Cup of feta cheese, crumbled • ¼ cup Italian parsley, chopped • Fresh basil • Salt + Pepper • 3 Tablespoons of cooking oil

HOW TO MAKE IT • Fill a large bot with water, add salt and turn up the heat to bring it to a boil. • While the water warms, heat a large pan to medium-high and saute the capers and olives in oil until they start to show signs of browning, only about a minute or so. • Add the cherry tomatoes and allow to brown, then add the sundried tomatoes, lemon zest, garlic with a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook for another minute or two. • Get your noodles in the boiling water, you should have about 10 minutes to finish up the sauce as the noodles cook. • Place the walleye in the pan and season with a pinch of salt + pepper. Try to move the fish as little as possible as it will become more delicate as it cooks. • Once the fish has turned white, deglaze the pan with the lemon juice and stir around gently to loosen anything stuck to the bottom of the pan. • Add the crumbled feta and a scoop of pasta water to help bring a sauce together, then add the cooked noodles over top.

To watch this full recipe video scan the QR Code above!

• Stir gently to coat the noodles while adding the fresh parsley and basil. • Serve with a drizzle of olive oil and squeeze of fresh lemon. Enjoy!

The Smitty Sled An Ice Anglers Must-Have Accessory BY KRIS KONOS

or avid ice anglers, hauling a heavy sled across the ice and snow is a rite of passage. I grew up ice fishing and can look back fondly at nearly all the memories spent on the ice except for one pulling all that gear from the parking lot to our fishing spot. Today’s anglers are even more encumbered, as tents get heavier and electronics gain popularity, ice anglers are bringing more gear to stay comfortable and to stay on the fish. As you pack all this gear into your ice fishing sled and stare out at the seemingly endless frozen tundra, you are probably going to rethink your decision to leave the couch! Fear not! There is an easy way to get all that gear to your favourite honey hole that doesn’t involve investing in a snowmobile or driving the family vehicle out on the ice the Smitty Sled. At its most basic, a Smitty sled involves attaching skis to the underside of your ice fishing sled and taking advantage of the reduced friction the skis provide. Experienced ice anglers know a heavily loaded ice fishing sled doesn’t ride on top of the snow; it plows through it. By adding skis to the underside of your sled you are not only reducing the area that is in contact with the snow (friction) but the tub rides high over the snow instead of pushing through it. This modification reduces your effort by at least half, meaning a heavily laden sled becomes surprisingly easy to pull. Before I first built one, I would dread the hike out on the lake and would often stop at the first fishing spot I found and not move again until the end of the day. Since building one, I routinely move spots and will walk a few kilometres in a day to search for active fish - all while barely breaking a sweat! To build a basic Smitty Sled all you need are a few hand tools, a bit of scrap wood, a pair of used downhill or cross country skis and a sled to mount them to. The most common question asked when approaching your first build is “what length of skis work best?” My advice is to find skis roughly the same length of your sled but not longer than what will fit in the back of your truck or SUV. A simple wooden frame, like the one pictured, is the most common type of Smitty and will only take a few hours to put together.

For those short on time there are commercial options available, such as those from EasySled.ca and ErieSecrets. ca. For DIY’ers that enjoy building and customizing their own Smitty Sleds, a quick internet search will reveal hundreds of ideas for your next Smitty. I encourage you to take the time to build

a Smitty Sled this season. From your very first trip, you’ll find that you will be able to walk to spots that are further away in less time and spend more time and energy on catching fishing. A Smitty sled will not only make hauling your ice fishing gear much, much easier, it will actually become enjoyable! n

Clean, drainloose. and dry. Don’t let them Aquarium pets and plants don’t belong in our waters. Scan the QR code to learn why.

saskatchewan.ca/invasive-species Winter 2023 | HOOKED | 35

PRO POINTERS

>JEFF GUSTAFSON

SEASONS ON ICE!

A rattling spoon tipped with a minnow head is my top bait for perch and walleye.

DECEMBER PATTERNS

s I get older it seems like the open water seasons go by faster and faster. I spent more days in my boat this past year than I ever have, fishing right up until the end. I live for spending time on the water and while I love the time I get to spend in my Lund, I’m also a big fan of ice fishing. Always have been. Though I don’t get to spend as much time on the ice as I did before I pursued my professional bass tournament career, I still get out on the ice a bunch and have some fun. Here are some of my top tips for fishing early season, mid-season and late season on the ice this year.

Sonar makes us more efficient on the ice.

EARLY SEASON SUCCESS While the late ice time frame is probably my favourite time to be on the ice – we’ll get to that more later, early ice offers us some great opportunity to get out there and catch a bunch of fish. During a normal season, the first few 36 | HOOKED | Winter 2023

Jumbo perch are fun to catch mixed in with the walleyes, they are also excellent eating.

weeks of safe ice usually give us easy access because we don’t have to deal with deep snow, extreme cold and slush. It’s much easier to get around and the fishing is good. Most schools of walleye, crappie and perch haven’t seen a lure in a couple of months, so they are typically eager to bite. Spending time in my boat late in the fall gives me the upper hand when we can start getting out on the ice because most fish can be found in the same locations. It’s much more efficient to idle around in a boat to find the schools of crappie or the small rock piles on the flats that are going to attract perch and walleye than it is to do this kind of searching on the ice. I’ll mark these spots with a waypoint, then transfer them to a GPS on my snowmobile. My first trips on the ice are in December, so those are my target species early on.

Lake trout season opens January 1 in Ontario and once that rolls around, I like to chase lakers just like everybody else. The walleye fishing is great early on because the fish on the well-known, obvious humps and points have had a good amount of time where they haven’t been getting pressured by anglers. Schools of crappies are bigger and tighter than they are after they receive pressure, which will reduce their numbers and break up the schools. As far as baits go, I keep it simple with old standbys like a Northland Buck-Shot Spoon for the walleyes and perch, while the combination of a small spoon or a tungsten jig tipped with plastic works for me on the crappies. I like the spoons because they get down to fish on the electronics quickly but sometimes you need to add a little bit of finesse with the small jigs. I am always willing to try the new baits that hit the market each winter and because the fishing is so good around Lake of the Woods, most of them work. There have been great advancements with the baits we have access too, especially jigs made from tungsten, which are smaller and heavier than traditional lead. Paint jobs are getting more realistic and better as well. The one aspect that trumps the bait you choose to drop down the hole and everything else, is that you have to find the fish. You can have the magic lure but if there are no fish around, you’re probably not going to be bending your rod a lot.

MIDWINTER SLOWDOWN Because of my Bassmaster tournament schedule that typically starts in February, I’m often able to get away during my least favourite period for ice fishing, from mid-January through early March. When I was younger and guiding on the ice, I spent hundreds of days on the ice during this period. I have been stuck in the slush

Being mobile on a snowmobile gives us access to the best waters.

with snowmobiles, had to get my truck pulled out of deep snow many times and broken every piece of equipment you can think of from sleds to augers to flashers because of extreme cold. It’s just not as fun to fish during the middle of the winter. It’s during this time that shelters and shacks become mandatory on some days to stay comfortable out there. I like to fish new water or at least new spots whenever I go, so I typically pull a portable shelter behind my snowmobile. It opens up a lot of options for places to fish. If you don’t have access to a snowmobile, many of our waters have ice roads right to permanent shelters, many that are available to rent.

and for my second line, I’ll soak a big cisco under a tip-up for pike. On some waterbodies we even run into lake trout in these shallower areas. The last couple of years I’ve been heading north to the Red Lake area for a late season ice trip and the fishing has been excellent with plenty of walleyes and big pike. I’m looking forward to making it happen again later this season. I love jumping on my snowmobile and getting in the remote water that is seemingly everywhere up there. I’ve experienced some top-notch walleye and lake trout fishing but the pike fishing is as good as I’ve ever seen on a number of waters.

BIG PIKE C0UNTRY There is simply a ton of water to fish and a bunch of big pike. I think it’s just far enough north that the fish just don’t get a lot of pressure and it’s the right type of water for them to get big. Lake trout and whitefish, fish that suspend during the winter, usually get a lot more active as the snow melts and more lights starts to penetrate the ice late in the season. These fish are sight feeders and if they can see better,

Early in the season, less snow on the ice makes it easier to fish and get around.

they’re going to eat better. Obviously, the ice conditions can change quickly late in the season when they weather really starts to warm up, so pay attention to the ice conditions and when it’s time to stop going out there, don’t take any chances. The equipment available to ice anglers today is as good as ever. Over the past twenty years the improvements in mapping, sonar, tackle and even snowmobiles to get around, have made it easier to find and catch more fish under the ice. Have a great season out there! n

OFF THE GRID By this time, a lot of the popular, obvious spots have been fished hard so it’s time to study the map a little bit and look for those sneaky, out of the way spots that aren’t as obvious, like a small rock pile on a large flat. The new Humminbird VX cards offer high detailed mapping on many waters in central Canada and they are super accurate so these sneaky spots are easy to find. I fish mostly on Lake of the Woods and there are so many little stick-outs and bumps on that map, I can fish a new spot every day.

THE LAST STAND As we roll into the second part of March, I get fired up to hit the ice. The improved weather, the longer days and great fishing have me looking forward to the last few weeks of ice fishing every year. When I was younger there were some years when I would be on the ice every day during the last stand on the ice. Spring spawning fish like walleye and pike show up in predictable locations, in front of the shallow bays where many of these fish will spawn. I love fishing locations where you can get walleye and trophy pike out of the same holes. Often, I’ll jig for walleye with a Buck-Shot Spoon Winter 2023 | HOOKED | 37

CONTENT CREATOR

MIKE SWEATMAN (SEE PAGE 24) has a passion for the outdoors and for sharing knowledge. This led him to creating outdoor content. A desire to chronicle his goal to catch each species of sportfish in Saskatchewan naturally lent itself to sharing the techniques to other anglers. From this, Mike started the YouTube Channel, 28fish. Six years on, the channel offers viewers techniques, locations, gear reviews, practical how-to videos (fishin’ fixing), recipes, and film shorts. Mike is also a co-administrator for the Saskatchewan Fish Slam, 28 Species Facebook page, which promotes ethical angling and information sharing about locating, catching, and celebrating the sportfish of Saskatchewan. The page also hosted catch and release multi-species tournaments in past years. Two years ago, Mike branched out into outdoor articles where he promotes the fishing opportunities in Saskatchewan. Holding a B.A. in English with a minor in Biology, a degree in Education, and a M. Ed in School Administration, creating outdoor content is a fulfilling outlet for educating readers about angling. Currently the Principal of Melville Comprehensive School, he retired from the Canadian Forces Army reserve after 15 years as a Field Artillery Detachment Commander. Mike was also a butcher for seven years. All of these experiences bring a depth of knowledge and confidence in the outdoors, which he applies to his outdoor adventures. Mike is often found taking his family hunting, hiking, angling, and exploring the bountiful boundaries of Saskatchewan. Literally running out of new species to catch at home, he has successfully expanded his pursuits for new species across Western Canada. Most recently, Mike founded Angling in The Schools Program (ATS) to help teachers and learners build confidence in the outdoors and to provide an angler mentor to students that may not have one in their life. Check out his videos at 28fish on YouTube, consider joining the Saskatchewan Fish Slam Facebook page, or learning more about ATS at www. anglingintheschools.com. Connect with Mike at twentyeightfish@gmail.com.

Photo by: Christy Sweatman 38 | HOOKED | Winter 2023

Listen to Mike on the Complete Angler Podcast with host Don Lamont

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