Hooked Magazine Volume 17 Issue 1

www.hookedmagazine.ca

Feature Contents | Special Issue 2024

CHRIS FONOS Chris is an outdoor writer, photographer and columnist who resides in Edmonton. He has been writing for several years on his blog, StringTheoryAngling.Ca. “I fished with my family every season, every year, ever since I could walk. But despite all that experience, it wasn’t until I struck out on my own that I realized I wasn’t any good at it. Since then, I’ve been researching all the tips and techniques I could find and experimenting with them on my local lakes.” Chris specializes in fishing content, mainly ice and kayak fishing. He is a member of the Professional Outdoor Media Association of Canada and uphold their professional standards.

PRO POINTERS

12 | New Tech for 2024 with Jamie Bruce

36| Forward Facing Sonar with Jeff Gustafson

FEATURES

12 | Mosquitoes in December 14 | Utilizing 2 Rods Ice Fishing 16 | Illegal Stocking

| Winter Smallmouth 22 | Upping Your Fish Fry Game 25 | Forgotten Fish of the West Coast

| Livescope & Muskies 35 | Forward Facing Sonar

DEPARTMENTS 8 | New Products

| HuntFishMB Recipe

| Content Creator

As we head into 2024 one of the biggest stories in the fishing industry is Forward Facing Sonar. In this issue you will find two articles that address some of the concerns that people have with this relatively new technology. If you watched the Bassmaster Classic last March, you would have seen winner Jeff Gustafson using it to catch his winning weight of smallmouth bass.

Gussy pens an interesting article on his use of this sonar to help him catch more fish, both for tournaments and his own enjoyment. On the same topic Glenn MacDonald talks about how it has changed musky fishing. Musky are a fish that like to suspend at certain times of year and with their massive size they are easy to spot on FFS.

In fact, one musky tournament circuit has put a limit on the number you can have in your boat. Glenn has done several videos on his YouTube channel to demonstrate how effective it can be.

Our other tournament professional, Jamie Bruce also relates FFC’s effectiveness during his tournament efforts last year. He also has some tips on how to make it even more effective.

I don’t personally have one because I haven’t fished tournaments for years and I really don’t want to commit $3000 or more dollars to get one. I still catch plenty of fish, but I can see why tournament anglers must have this competitive edge.

As Gussy says, with this technology comes responsibility to make sure you are protecting the resource. Amen to that.

Speaking of protecting the resource Manitoba Fisheries biologist and regional manager Eric Mullen put together an outstanding article on how illegal stocking can damage our fragile fisheries, especially in the north. You will also be able to hear Eric talk about it on my podcast on the Hooked website.

Our travelling angler, Dale Martens takes down south for bone fish while Wes David is out on the west coast catching a variety of saltwater species. Meanwhile, Dave Shmyr heads inland on Vancouver Island to chase humongous smallmouth bass. Yes, you read that right, smallmouth. They have been on the island for years and grow to huge proportions!

I hope you enjoy this issue as much as I putting it all together.

Don Lamont, Editor

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, Cris Fonos, Jeff Gustafson, Don Lamont, Dale Martens Glenn McDonald, Josh McFaddin, Eric Mullen, Michael Sweatman

Cover Photo Chuck MacPherson

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GO WHERE THE FISH ARE

WORTH THE FIGHT

ALL-NEW QUEST SERIES

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BEGIN YOUR QUEST

ONE YEAR & GROWING!

As Fish Forward finishes its first year there is plenty of reason to celebrate, with significant progress made in building an innovative, eco-certified fishing industry in Manitoba.

Fish Forward, launched in 2022, is a partnership of provincial, national, and international organizations as well as commercial fishers and industry partners —all working towards ensuring the sustainability of Manitoba’s fisheries, biologically, socially, and economically.

Fish Forward envisions a world where Manitoba’s waters, fisheries and the fishery way of life are protected forever. The partnership goals are to: (1) Increase the number of Manitoba fisheries that are eco-certified or undergoing eco-certification; (2) Engage local businesses in promoting, selling, and celebrating local, sustainable fish from Fish Forward fisheries; and (3) Provide clear and accurate information and assistance for anyone interested in sustainable fishing practices and/or pursuing third-

party eco-certification in Manitoba.

Since its inception, Fish Forward has experienced significant growth and support. There are now currently two Fish Forward Fishery Members (i.e., Waterhen Lake Walleye and Northern Pike Commercial Fishery and Cedar Lake Walleye and Northern Pike Commercial Fishery suppling sustainably certified fish into the local, national, and international markets. To read more please visit https://fishforward.ca.

NEW PRODUCTS

LUNKERHUNT HIVE SEEKER SWIMBAIT

The Lunkerhunt Hive Seeker Swimbait, available in both 3.5in and 4.5in lengths is the latest addition to the Hive series of baits. All baits in this series feature our Ultra Durable Soft Plastic material which can withstand the attack from large predator fish, to those pesky smaller panfish. This floating, stretching, durable soft plastic made in a swimbait style bait creates a deadly combination of fishability out on the water. These baits feature a hard thumping tail action which influences the tight body roll presenting a well balanced lure at any retrieval speed or rigging option. lunkerhunt.com

The IMPULSE brand represents a fundamental shift in the way we think about Jack Plates. Purposefully designed, with features for both the modern angler and the performancejunkie, the IMPULSE brand is about to make some serious waves in the Jack Plate market. The Flagship of the IMPULSE brand is the revolutionary VOLTIX Series. The VOLTIX is an electromechanical jack plate that is cleaner, greener, and smarter than its hydraulic competitors. Available in modular setbacks (PATENT PENDING) from 6”-12” the VOLTIX Series comes in either a high-gloss black anodize finish or a beautiful white cerakote finish. powrtran.com

RAPALA RAPSTACK TACKLE TRAYS

Store, organize, access – repeat. The Rapala RapStack Tackle Trays are designed for keeping your tackle protected and in perfect order with heavyduty construction and smart design. 14”x9”x13/4” Divider System. rapala.com

PREMIER MARINE STOW AND GO TROLL MOTOR

Talk about cool technology. The all-new Troll & Stow completely redefines the trolling motor category with a mounting system that allows the motor, drive unit, and all mounts and cords to be stowed completely below deck. The system can then be deployed and lowered in just seconds. This system is designed for those of you who own a pontoon boat! pontoons.com

RABID BAITS HAIR JIGS

Rabid Baits has brought to you a hair jig with all the top quality components that professionals and fishing enthusiast strive for when creating the best hair jig. Complete with ultra sharp Owner needle point hooks, hand poured heads, real fox fur in 5 pro choice colors, and a touch of crystal flash to really bring them to life! The jig stays fuller in the water and the hair is more buoyant than marabou giving the jig a slightly slower fall rate, this gives you the option to throw it on a slightly heavier jig head allowing you to make further casts to those spooky fish. rabidbaits.com

ELECTROMECHANICAL IMPULSE JACK PLATE BY POWRTRAN

WALLEYE NATION CREATIONS

DEATH JIGS - 3 NEW COLOURS & 1 NEW SIZE

The Walleye Nation Creations “Death Jigs” irresistible live-bait action converts more looks into hooksets when casted, trolled, and drifted. A deadly Livescope technique to entice even the most finicky walleye to bite. Heavier versions can be 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 looks into strikes. New colours: Purple Tiger/Gold Digger/Antifreeze. Now available in 1/4oz (NEW size), 3/8oz, 3/4oz, and 1-1/2oz. in 15 colours. walleyenation.com

AMPED UP BLUE TOOTH MONITOR

Amped Up now offers built in Bluetooth monitoring on all batteries 50AH and larger, you will never have to worry about if or when you will run out of power! What a concept. ampedoutdoors.com

POWERBAIT POWER SWITCH

When a fish is located using forward-facing sonar, the window to catch the fish begins, and that window will close fast. Anglers need to react and present their bait as quickly and precisely as possible. The weight-forward design of the PowerBait Power Switch allows for precision casts, fast fall rates and a wide range of actions to make the most finicky of fish commit to biting. With such a design, it allows anglers to have total control, and the ability to interact with any fish at any depth in the water column utilizing a variety of “hover” and “stroll” techniques. Packed with PowerBait flavor and pre-rigged with a Fusion19 hook to ensure a positive hook-up ratio. berkley.com

DAIWA WALLEYE ROD SERIES

The Daiwa TD Eye Rods represent a pinnacle of innovation and precision in fishing gear, especially crafted for walleye anglers. At the core of these rods is the High Volume Fiber (HVF) Technology, a hallmark of Daiwa’s commitment to lightweight yet strong construction. This technology ensures that the rod is exceptionally responsive and durable, allowing for a more accurate and enjoyable fishing experience. The incorporation of the Fuji K Guide system elevates the TD Eye Rods to new heights of performance. These guides are strategically designed to reduce tangles and improve casting distance and accuracy, enhancing your control over the line and lure. daiwa.us

POWRTRAN FORWARD FACING SONAR MOUNT

The FORESIGHT Forward-Facing Sonar Mount is the most sophisticated mounting system on the market. It allows the sonar transducer to stow and deploy with the bow-mount trolling motor but still be controlled independently. powrtran.com

Boat Tech for 2024

With another open water fishing season on the horizon, I’ve been keeping my eyes peeled for technology advancements and innovations while trying to decipher if the juice is worth the squeeze. Here are three that I think are worth keeping an eye on

FOAM TACKLE TRAYS

After years of touring around to both local and national tournaments, I’ve finally decided to trim the fat on the tackle I haul around. One of the biggest dilemmas I have faced with tackle storage in my boat, specifically hooks, is not wanting to take them out of the package for fear of an angler’s nemesis, rust!

To mitigate the rust, I haul huge boxes around, with packages inside of packages, and I’m just done with it. As I prep for the upcoming season, I’ve decided to swap all of my jigs hooks over to Rapala RapStack foam filled tackle trays. I played with these a bit last year for a few select hooks, and the efficiency and hook protection

have been enough to make me jump ship. I set them up for easy access and organize them in a manner that I can see where I’m short and can reload them before the next outing. This is one of the rare small investments in fishing that will make your life on the water a little easier and save you from throwing out a bucket full of rusty hooks at the end of the year.

FORWARD FACING SONAR MOUNT

Forward facing sonar; It’s all anyone can seem to talk about these days in tournament fishing. Multiple transducers, pole mounts, and even boat brakes have emerged in the wake of this industry-shifting technology. While I can go on and on about ffs and the tech around it, I want to narrow down and focus on one thing, the Foresight mount. This mount allows you to use your forward-facing sonar independent from your trolling motor. What that means, is if you’re using spot-lock or a similar anchoring system, you can still pan in every direction, or focus on a sin-

gle target for the perfect cast.

Initially, I was pretty ignorant to this technology. One of my travel partners on the Bassmaster tour last year, Adam Rasmussen, opened my eyes to it. Rasmussen and I were fishing the same spot on the Tennessee River during the tournament. It was a deep shell bed that was being flushed by current. Our boats sat feet apart, both spot-locked to fight heavy wind and the classic Tennessee River current. The difference was, Rasmussen was using an independent turret and was able to keep his sonar locked on the hard spot, while my trolling motor mounted sonar whipped back and forth to hold the boat in position.

PLAY BY PLAY

Rasmussen would call out the play by play on when a school of fish or bait would show up on the hard spot, so I was able to benefit through that, but that is a very rare scenario in competitive fishing. Since then, I have faced countless situations where I wished

After years of touring around to both local and national tournaments, I’ve finally decided to trim the fat on the tackle I haul around. One of the biggest dilemmas I have faced with tackle storage in my boat, specifically hooks, is not wanting to take them out of the package for fear of an angler’s nemesis, rust!

I had an independent sonar mount. As a very weary consumer in fishing electronics, I’ve decided to add one of these to my bow after realizing their potential.

JACK PLATE

“Is it worth it?” Is one of the most common questions I receive with regards to adding a jack plate to a boat. I’ll explain why I use one, and you can decide for yourself.

Jackplates allow boaters to adjust the height of the outboard motor, optimizing the boat’s running attitude. This adjustment not only increases speed but also enhances fuel efficiency. The ability to fine-tune the motor height can lead to a smoother ride and better handling, especially in varying water conditions. On my Lund Pro V Bass, the speed difference is only 1-2 MPH, but I do notice a significant difference in fuel economy at mid-range, and better boat control.

Shallow water capability is another reason I add a jack plate. I can jack my motor to the sky and plane off in super shallow water, which is a situational thing for most, but for me it’s a huge advantage. Even when idling through bays and creeks, having the ability to jack the motor way out of the water probably saves me a few trips to the prop shop.

Jackplates allow boaters to adjust the height of the outboard motor, optimizing the boat’s running attitude. This adjustment not only increases speed but also enhances fuel efficiency. The ability to fine-tune the motor height can lead to a smoother ride and better handling, especially in varying water conditions.

NEW TECHNOLOGY

I’m trying something new this year, switching from a Hydraulic jack plate to an Electromechanical Impulse. There is some cool tech that comes along with the Impulse, like a wireless remote and switch that I can pre-set for optimal running.

Whether you should add one or not is certainly not a one-size fits all answer. They’re a pretty good chunk of change, but if you can offset the costs between fuel savings, prop, keel, and impeller repairs, and resale value, it could be a good option to look at.

I’ll be keeping my eyes out for more gadgets and innovations in the years to come and continue to decipher which ones are worth pulling out the wallet for. Best of luck to everyone in the upcoming season! n

This forward facing sonar mount allows you to use your forward-facing sonar independent from your trolling motor. What that means, is if you’re using spot-lock or a similar anchoring system, you can still pan in every direction, or focus on a single target for the perfect cast.

A MOSQUITO IN DECEMBER

Finding the middle of nowhere on Florida’s Space Coast

BY DALE MARTENS

As a kid, I saw the Mosquito Lagoon featured on a TV show and immediately put it on my bucket list. Forty years later, on a December trip to Florida, I checked it off by booking a trip with Captain Justin Price (rightinsightcharters.com).

I had high hopes for the fishing but also wondered if it might be completely urbanized, given its location near the tourist hot spot and space launch epicenter of Cape Canaveral.

I met Justin at the boat ramp just after dawn and we motored across the lagoon to a maze of mangrove and palm islands. Even though we were only a few miles away from NASA’s most used launch pads, it was tropical wilderness. Justin’s skiff was a nimble, tiller-steered model that promised us access to the skinniest of water. I was ready to start casting.

The day was supposed to be reasonably warm with a strong wind pushing in clouds. Justin had warned me that the current weather, coupled with high and dirty water from recent rain, would severely hamper the sight fishing. Nevertheless, he was confident that we could “grind’em out” by blind casting and

searching. So down the pristine, protected side of a mangrove island we poled, with me chucking and chugging a Gurgler fly.

TOP WATER ACTION

I kept chucking and chugging a Gurlger for close to an hour without a hit. No fish had shown themselves, either. Justin suggested I switch to a spinning rod he had on board, so we could cover even more water. The bait of choice was surface plug with blades fore and aft, like a Heddon Torpedo. Cast it out, and churn it back - not too fast, not too slow. Then repeat. It was incredibly efficient and the fish liked it!

I got a great tour of the lagoon, with enough action to keep me in constant anticipation of a strike. We even managed to sight fish a couple. By day’s end, I landed four fat sea trout and one enthusiastic redfish.

The sea trout surprised me. All I really knew about them was that they had delicate mouths. Regardless, a couple absolutely slammed my surface offering and all of them doubled my rod right over. They also were quite adept at unbuttoning themselves; I probably LDR’ed at least a half dozen. (LDR, of course, means Long Distance Release. Maybe I absorbed the NASA affinity for acronyms while I was out there?)

A redfish or two also surprised me with their pike-like tendency to follow a retrieve. Overall, the Mosquito Lagoon did not disappoint. During my day on the water, it felt like I was miles away from North American civilization.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

If the fly fishing is on, an 8 weight rod and any line you might use for Canadian pike is great for Mosquito Lagoon in the winter. Justin had me using a surprisingly long and fine leader. It measured 12 feet with a 10 lb. tippet.

Don’t let talk about cold fronts scare you away from winter fishing in Florida. Sure, the odd one might blow you off the water but Justin told me clear, cold weather tends to concentrate the fish and enhance sight fishing. That being said, I have to admit that I brought a windproof layer and fleece.

The Mosquito Lagoon is nestled between the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge and the Canaveral National Seashore, so its isolated state should be well protected.

Blue Springs State Park is an easy day trip from the Space Coast. In the winter, its perfectly clear water hosts manatee and sizable tarpon! No fishing though; you’ll have to be satisfied with gawking...

New Smyrna Beach is a great little town where a walk down Flagler Avenue is highly recommended. Naturally, the Kennedy Space Center should also not be missed.

The Mosquito Lagoon is within day trip distance of Orlando! n

ONE COULD YOU SURVIVE THE SURPRISE OF AN ACCIDENTAL FALL OVERBOARD? BOATING SEASON THIS WILL EACH DAY DURING DROWN

Wearing a lifejacket is the first step to SURVIVE the SURPRISE. Scan to see what really happens.

UTILIZING A SECOND LINE ICE FISHING

BY CHRIS FONOS

Most provinces in the country (all except B.C.) allow the use of a second rod while ice fishing and you would be selling yourself short if you didn’t take advantage of it!

A second ice fishing rod, whether it’s a tip-up, deadstick, or automatic hooksetter, is almost as valuable a tool as your flasher and is something I utilize every time I hit the ice.

Now, you could keep your second line simple and drop down a jig and a minnow and be reasonably successful, but you would be missing an opportunity to utilize

a strategy - especially during mid-winter when fish metabolism is often at its lowest and fishing pressure is the highest. There are several popular ways to present your second line offerings, and, in this article, I am going to share some of my most successful techniques when fishing for trout, pike, perch and walleye.

PRESENTATION PHASES

First, some general information. It’s commonly accepted that there are two jigging or attracting phases to catching fish. The first phase is calling fish in, literally ringing the dinner bell by being loud and

flashy. The second phase is triggering the bite, often with more subtle actions and presentations. I will normally set up each of my ice fishing rods with one of these phases in mind, a loud and flashy lure on my “calling rod”, and a smaller, subtle lure on my “finesse rod”.

STOCKED TROUT

Often it will be the small ponds that freeze over first so stocked trout are always the first fish I target every season. My trout specific two-line setup will often include a small, shiny spoon on the first rod and a very small tungsten on the second. Here’s where the technique comes in, my “calling rod” is baited with a small jig and is placed at least 20 feet from where I am fishing in an automatic hook setter such as a JawJacker. Trout can be very wary and often need to inspect a bait numerous times before even sampling it. The smaller the bait and the quieter the ice above it the more likely that the trout will come in and take your presentation on the first pass.

PIKE

Being the apex predator in the lake you would expect them to be aggressive eating machines, but when mid-winter rolls around they can be the most discerning fish in the lake. For most of the winter, I keep a lipless rattle bait like the Northland Tackle Rippin Shad on my “calling rod” and use that to attract fish. If pike are in a feeding mood, that is often all that is needed to bring them topside. If they are not aggressive however, the classic jig and minnow will do just the trick. I favor a 1/8 to 1/4oz jig head with a small willow leaf spinner attached. The extra flash provided by the willow leaf is often too enticing to pass up.

PERCH

Personally, I find that schools of perch tend to get bored with one presentation pretty quickly. My finesse rod is typically a small tungsten tipped with maggots, mealworm or a piece of bacon fat. The tantalizing bait coupled with a subtle jigging motion is usually enough to convert the first few perch I drop my lure on. After a few minutes though, the school starts to lose interest. In order to re engage them, I will set my small tungsten lured down into the dirt on the bottom and, utilizing my second rod and an adjacent hole, I will quickly drop down a flashy spoon such as the VMC Tumbler or small jigging

bait like a size 9 Jigging Rap and get the school worked up again by jigging more aggressively. This erratic jigging is only for a minute or two though. Once the school has moved back in, it’s time to reel up the spoon and miraculously reveal the small tungsten jig from the bottom. That magical bait and switch is often enough to convert a few more perch for the frying pan.

WALLEYE

Walleye are among the most popular ice fishing pursuits and because of that fishing pressure, they become understandably skittish. I can tell you the most frustrating part of ice fishing is stilling on a school of walleye and throwing everything but the kitchen sink at them without a single bite.

One of the most successful techniques I’ve found for converting shy walleye into eaters is the classic jig and minnow combination but with a very important twist. The trick to this technique is to use a stand up jig head, like the Northland Tackle Fireball Stand-Up jig in 1/8 to 1/4 oz and just gently set the jig down on the bottom so the minnow is standing up at an angle, slightly nose down. This technique works because the walleye think it’s a free and easy meal.

I can’t count how many times I’ve had pressured walleye move in, stare at my suspended minnow for a few minutes, only to have them drop their gaze and immediately eat a minnow that has fallen off my hook on the bottom. This technique replicates that fallen minnow and is sure to land you the biggest fish of the lake.

I still see many ice anglers not utilizing a second fishing line and I really think you are putting yourself at a disadvantage. Coupled with some of the techniques described above, having a second line in the water doesn’t just double your chances of landing that trophy, it is an invaluable method to attract, entice, and ultimately close the deal on that fish of a lifetime. n

ILLEGAL STOCKING

BY ERIC MULLEN

The Manitoba government has a long history of fish stocking, dating back more than a century. Since 1917, the province has stocked desirable species in Manitoba lakes.

Early stocking efforts were often driven by the social palate for new or popular species, and many were experimental, requiring little planning. As angler behaviour and motivations in our multi-use fisheries became more complex, so did our interest in evaluating the rationale and results of publicly funded stocking programs.

Today, fisheries management agencies continue to stock fish as novel recreational fisheries for the public to enjoy (e.g., tiger trout in a small pothole lake) or as a supplement to high-pressure fisheries (e.g., walleye stocking in popular cottage lakes). These days, decisions on whether a given lake should be stocked with trout are made after an in-depth assessment of the history of the lake, fisheries surveys, angler use, habitat, and overwintering potential, among other deciding factors.

Illegal Stocking

Even with regular provincial stocking of seven salmonid species and walleye across Manitoba, some individuals are illegally introducing new species into public waters. Sometimes referred to as ‘bucket biologists’, these individuals perpetrate illegal introductions of live organisms, posing a significant risk to our valuable fisheries.

Unfortunately, this has become increasingly common across North America, where some individuals feel motivated to modify a fishery to suit their own interests. Understanding the motivations of illegal stocking is not always easy, but the consequences can be damaging to the resource we all love and share.

Illegal Introductions in Manitoba

Illegal introductions of fish species from the Centrarchid family (i.e., smallmouth, largemouth, crappie, and bluegill) are on the rise in Manitoba. Research tells us that centrarchids are already pushing northwards due to climate change,

creating suitable conditions in previously unsuitable latitudes, and illegal stockings accelerate this phenomenon. Centrarchids are very hardy and versatile, able to adapt to a wide range of ecological and environmental conditions.

It is difficult to predict what effects these introductions have on individual lakes and rivers, but any time we add a new predator to an ecosystem, it poses some risk to its inhabitants. Notably, when they have a competitive advantage in their interactions with other predators or prey.

Eastern Region

In the eastern region of Manitoba, six possible illegal stockings have been confirmed since 2021. For example, Hunt Lake has been a stocked trout lake since 1955, and as of 2023, has produced 247 master angler trout (brook, brown, and rainbows 20+ inches long), and the lake is a popular attraction for the area. In 2023, reports were confirmed that largemouth bass were illegally stocked into Hunt Lake. As a result, future trout stocking plans for this lake are on hold until the situation is properly assessed, and a management action plan is made.

This issue is not limited to Hunt Lake, we have also confirmed reports of crappie being introduced into lakes within Nopiming Provincial Park, as well as new smallmouth populations in backcountry lakes not connected to known smallmouth bass waters.

Western Region

The Goose Lakes in Roblin are some of the most productive rainbow and brown trout waters in Manitoba. In fact, in 2010, the town of Roblin hosted the National Fly-Fishing Championship, where competitors fished trout in both Goose Lakes. These lakes are unique in that they grow trophy trout consistently, all within the limits of a small town with lodging and restaurants, providing a local attraction and economic benefits. Despite their small size, the Goose Lakes boast an incredible 1,273 master angler records, with confirmed catches of rainbows up to

28.5”, and browns up to 25.5”. However, in recent years, the number of master angler submissions in these lakes appears to be declining.

Around 2018, fisheries staff received reports of illegal stockings into the Goose Lakes. A 2022 fisheries survey confirmed this report, finding smallmouth bass and walleye were well established, with both adults and juveniles being encountered. In 2023, trout stocking was discontinued until management plans are determined. Though any trout recovery plan, even in small waters such as these, would be expensive and may take years to see results. So, for the time being, Manitoba has lost two of its most productive stocked trout waters.

Northern Region

One of the most concerning regions in which we are seeing illegal stocking efforts is in Manitoba’s north. The pristine lakes and rivers of Manitoba’s northern region support incredible trophy fishing destinations for walleye, pike, lake trout and more, in addition to important Indigenous subsistence and commercial fisheries.

Many anglers have heard of Athapapuskow Lake south of Flin Flon, which boasts a destination drive-to fishery for giant lake trout, pike, walleye and burbot. In recent years, anglers have reported catching smallmouth bass in Athapapuskow in increasing numbers. Despite a misguided decision by the province to stock 81 adult smallmouth into the lake in 1940/41, bass were not captured in that lake until recent history, possibly indicating a second effort to establish bass through unauthorized introduction.

The extensive movement of smallmouth bass in Manitoba, both by historical government efforts and contemporary illegal stockings, has led to Manitoba having the northernmost distribution of smallmouth bass in North America (Mid Lake, 30 kilometres south of Thompson). The next closest populations outside of Manitoba are just north of Williams Lake, British Columbia, where they are officially considered an invasive species. The addition of smallmouth in the north will present a risk to existing fisheries. We also do

Even with regular provincial stocking of seven salmonid species and walleye across Manitoba, some individuals are illegally introducing new species into public waters. Sometimes referred to as ‘bucket biologists’, these individuals perpetrate illegal introductions of live organisms, posing a significant risk to our valuable fisheries.

not know how well they will even perform in these climatic extremes – is catching many slow growing medium-sized smallmouth worth putting our trophy lake trout, pike and walleye at risk?

Biology of Invasion

To put the risk of illegal stocking in perspective, it is important to understand what happens when we introduce a new predator to a lake. In every lake, there is a finite amount of nutrients and energy available that support that lake’s biomass (the total weight of aquatic life in the lake). Within that biomass, we must account for every level of the food web (i.e., algae, aquatic plants, zooplankton, aquatic insects, baitfish, predators). So,

if that biomass is a pie and every species has its slice, then any new predator must carve out its own slice, and because the total amount of food available to predators remains the same, the increase in abundance of the newcomer comes at a cost to somebody else.

The first few generations of newly introduced predators in a lake will typically grow fast and often attract the attention of anglers who observe the sudden appearance of a novel trophy fishery. There are biological reasons for this – the ecosystem is not yet adapted to the newcomer and so there is lots of food available to relatively few fish and they grow fast. As time goes by, density and competition increase, sometimes leading to a stunted popula-

tion, and anglers lose interest. This issue is compounded if anglers do not develop a taste for eating these fish, as is often the case with largemouth and smallmouth bass, due to the legacy of protective management and their elevated status within the fishing community. Smallmouth bass can taste delicious, and it is highly suggested that anglers consider harvesting them as eating bass will relieve pressure off our other sportfish and will likely promote healthier growth and more balanced size structure for bass populations.

Management Options

Once a species has been illegally introduced, fisheries managers must re-evaluate how that fishery is managed. Culling sounds

like a possible option, however, it is often ineffective. Unless you can remove most individuals from the waterbody, it will only delay the problem. For example, one study conducted by the New York Department of Natural Resources attempted an intensive seven-year removal program of adult, juvenile, and young-of-year smallmouth bass from a 271-hectare lake where bass were not native. In all, 53,947 smallmouth bass of all sizes were culled over seven years using electroshocking. Despite successfully reducing the overall biomass of smallmouth, the result of this massive effort was an overall increase in the abundance of juveniles.

One might ask, why not drain the lake, or use a chemical like rotenone to wipe out problem species where they pop up? While draining or chemical treatment are often the only way to completely eradicate an unwanted fish species, this typically only works in small waterbodies and does not specifically target the unwanted species. It will kill much of the aquatic life in that system and will take years for that community to recover. Clearly, with the scale of illegal stocking that is being observed in Manitoba, this is not a practical all-around option.

Illegal stocking puts Manitoba’s trout stocking efforts in a vulnerable position, as fisheries managers may have to discontinue stocking if trout cannot effectively co-exist with introduced species and are being outcompeted. There is a long list of features biologists look for in prospective stocked trout waters, measured against the habitat and thermal preferences of various trout species. Losing these lakes to illegal stocking ultimately decreases everyone’s opportunities and access to those fish because we are not always able to simply find a new lake.

Collective Responsibility to Protect Manitoba’s Fisheries

Many anglers are aware of aquatic invasive species and the risks they pose to our fisheries. Anglers should also consider the potential impacts of moving sportfish species into new lakes. The reality is that when people take stocking into their own hands, they are posing a major risk to the balance of that waterbody’s food web.

Illegal stocking is a complicated issue. It only takes one individual to make a decision that will ultimately impact thousands of anglers, without regard to the risks they may pose, and the new species is there to stay. As anglers, we all have the responsibility to conserve our fisheries, and sharing information within the fishing community on the potential risks of illegal stocking might be enough to change someone’s mind.

If you become aware of someone illegally introducing live fish into Manitoba waters, please call the Manitoba Turn in Poachers T.I.P. line at 1-800-782-0076. n

Winter Smallmouth on Vancouver Island

BY DAVE SHMYR

When it comes to winter in Canada the term ‘open water’ does not pop up in many discussions. Depending on the year I’ve been ice fishing as early as the end of October in Northern Alberta. Cold November and December nights make ice fast through out the country as well as some of the Northern states. Throughout my childhood year after year my brother and I couldn’t wait for dad to say its time to go ice fishing.

The past few winters I’ve spent a lot of time on Vancouver Island. It has been a significant learning curve trying to figure out all the fishing options available. Between the ocean, lakes and rivers it would take a life time to cover everything it has to offer.

THE SEASONS

Coho Salmon river fishing is usually done at the end of November and many anglers switch their target species to the steelhead or trout.

The “Diamond in the Rough” is something everyone overlooks, the always entertaining smallmouth. The reason I call it the diamond in rough is its an extremely challenging winter fish if conquered offers enormous reward.

Most of our local lakes are small and see their share of pressure throughout the spring summer and fall. But as soon as the fall to winter transition comes into play 80 plus percent of the bass fishermen are done for the season.

PATIENCE IS THE KEY

It takes whitetail hunting patience to keep yourself motivated for this kind of fishing

but its worth every minute when you set the hook into one of these bronze footballs. I’ve spent a lot of hours targeting trophy fish of many different species growing up with my dad as my mentor. It is one of my most valuable assets, allowing for success in the fishing and hunting world.

I’ll never complain about the extra room on the water, some of the most relaxing style of fishing I’ve done. Some lakes allow gas engines and some are electric only. Either way you can get away with a small boat on most days.

DRESS WARM!

I fish out of my Pisces Predator Pontoon kick boat. It’s a lot like your normal trout pontoon kick boat but its under 30 pounds and super easy to pack. Its set up to carry a lot of gear which works well for me because I usually bring everything but

the kitchen sink. The nice part about the kick boat is your only in the water halfway up your shins. Even when the water is at or just above freezing, I can last quite a few hours with a few layers of long johns and wader socks inside my hip waders. No matter if your in a tube, pontoon, kayak or boat its super important to make sure you got all the essential gear to ensure your warm. The majority of the time you’re using a super slow method of fishing so its very easy to get cold when your not casting and reeling every few minutes. Well lets breakdown the information gathered from the past few winters that have had us put together an effective program for winter Smallmouth.

SLOW AND EASY

The first mistake that’s made when it comes to winter bass is moving your baits to erratic and fast. I know its crazy to think how it may have been just months ago that you were chucking big baits and retrieving them with explosive strikes. I tell myself daily before I even go out slow down slow things down but be ready. Its a hard mindset to get into but to be successful and consistent and the number one starting point to the winter smallmouth approach. During winter months their metabolism slows down to almost a dead stop. They spend a lot of their time way out deep in their wintering holes during low light and when the shallow water is cold. I do not go out past 25 feet of water for a few reasons.

FAVOURITE SPOTS

The rocky areas adjacent to shorelines and steep holes is by far my most productive areas. My choice would be to fish sunny days only this time of year. The sun penetration heats up the shoreline water enough to bring on bass activity. Between work and overcast rainy island weather I often don’t get to chose when I go. But I have used that as a positive and learned some colour preferences and tactics to support the overcast bite. As a rule of thumb, the lake I’m fishing is clear water so I try to keep the duller darker natural baits for most of the fishing unless the suns out then I will use some flash and brighter colours.

Finding these rocky areas near deep wintering holes is critical ambush spot. Often a waiting game I’m always paying close attention to my electronics to make sure I’m ready and understanding if the fish are into my setup.

Underwater humps are another crucial area as they often come up to the side that the sun is hitting. Its never a bad option to pitch and retrieve shoreline if there’s a lot of sun hours that day that heats up the water more then usual.

The nice part of being alone on a boat or tube in BC is your allowed to run two rods at once. I decided to run a hair jig on a dead stick and my second rod a drop shot.

Kalin’s Marabou Jigs are by far my most consistent bait. As for drop shot baits, I like to use baitfish patterns in the 3- 4 inch range.

Line is crucial for all of these setups whether your using a tube, Ned, hair jig or drop shot I believe you should have a braid mainline and a Fluro leader. You need that braid for sensitivity and the Fluor leader is crucial for it being virtually invisible.

While patience is needed for winter smallies the rewards are worth it! n

Diversify Your Walleye Fry!

BY MICHAEL SWEATMAN

Is there any greater reward for a successful ice-fishing trip than a feed of fresh fish? Clear, cold winter water produces some seriously delicious fish fries.

It is a great time to introduce freshwater fish to fussy eaters and as easy as picking your favourite fish coating. But sometimes it is nice to have more than one way to enjoy your bounty. Here is an exciting way to stretch your limit.

ICE SHACK SNACKS

Borrowing from the salmon-eating folk out west, a simple brine and your favourite spices creates a tasty snack. Candied walleye or pike is smokey, sweet, and savory. The dried meat keeps well and rival’s deer jerky as a go-to munchy.

BRINE TIME

Mixing sugar and salt in a 3-1 ratio creates a simple yet failproof brine. I prefer to use a mixture of brown sugar and maple syrup for the sweet and pickling salt or rock salt for the curing agent. Table salt will work in a pinch, but the iodized product will create a cloudy brine and likely affect the translucent finish of the candied fish. Add boiling water and stir to dissolve the brine. Once you measure out the sweet and salty components, customize your brine by adding your favourite spices. My go to spices are cracked black pepper, Greek seasoning, lemon pepper, and crushed pepper flakes for some heat. Before you add your fish, taste your brine to make sure the flavour profile meets your approval. Balance out the fla-

vours, let it cool to room temperature, and then you are ready to soak your fish.

The size of your fish candy pieces is up to you. If you want a crunchy, jerky-like finish then slice the fillets into 1/2-inchwide strips. If you want a softer texture, cut the fillets into three equal pieces. Leave the fish in a covered container in the fridge for 3-5 days.

SMOKE ‘EM IF YOU GOT THEM

A smoker is the best way to finish the candied fish, but a kitchen oven with convection can work as well. The extra layer of flavour from the right application of smoke is hard to beat. Start by draining the brine and spreading the fish on to a wire rack. Let stand until the fillets stop dripping the excess liquid. Traditional candied salmon technique is to hang each strip of fish on a toothpick and dangle below the rack to aid in the moisture reduction. I did this once with a batch I made from a splake. It turned out crunchy like toffee and almost see through, but the extra preparation took a long time.

However, if you lay it out, the most important thing is to make sure the pieces are not touching and that you don’t load more fish into your smoker than it can handle. Too much fish or too much contact between the pieces and there will be excess moisture, leaving the fish soft and with little shelf life.

ADJUST THE TEMPERATURE ALONG THE WAY

I like to start off with a higher temperature to draw out the excess moisture. My

mickey mouse 110v smoker maxes out at 275 degrees Fahrenheit, so that’s what I set it to. Once the smoker builds up heat, I open the damper allowing the moist air to vacate. The fish is ready to smoke once it is mostly dry to the touch, which usually takes 1-2 hours.

Drop the temperature to 180 degrees, set the damper to one-quarter open and add smoke. These settings will allow a convection that draws the smoke evenly across the fish and allow for the remaining moisture to slowly dissipate.

Adding smoke when the meat is partially dried allows it to permeate. Adding it too early and you lose the flavour and finish to the moist air. I prefer a blend of hickory and local poplar. Working as a butcher in my past, we found that the poplar smoke is a mild, familiar flavour and hickory produces a nice, red finish.

I find using hardwoods such as maple can leave a charcoal/bitter flavour. In any case, add your wood chips sparingly. A small handful of chips 1 or two times is plenty of smoke. Many home-smoker enthusiasts think the contraption should puff smoke out like a 1980s bingo hall. Better think it like enjoying a fine cigar. Get a subtle smoke flavour from a subtle application of smoke.

Finishing your candied fish will take 1-2 hours. You will know it is done when the flesh is translucent from the brine, has a slight sheen from the natural oils, and has a golden-red finish from the smoke. Remove the rack and leave it at room temperature for a few hours. This is known as “rebounding”. Rebounding allows for the product to absorb some moisture from the air, so it is less like leather and more like a decadent, crispy delight.

WRAP IT UP

Vacuum pack your candied fish in snack size servings for your snackle-box! No vacuum sealer? Resealable bags or an airtight food container works as well. You can even freeze the packages for longterm enjoyment, but the candied fish will keep in the fridge for some time.

I look forward to trying this on lake trout this winter. Lately, I have been enjoying a new dill pickle jerky my dad and brother have been making at their meat shop, Wadena Meat Processors. I am excited to try to emulate that goodness with a big jackfish. Dill pickle pike, anyone? Whatever flavours you choose, I’ll bet you will enjoy your own batch of candied fish. n

Candied Walleye and northern pike. A sweet, savory, and smokey treat!

The base of any brine for smoked of candied fish: brown sugar, salt, and maple syrup. Customize with your favourite spices.

A small amount of smoke goes a long way. Left: splinters of white poplar (AKA trembling aspen) from my wood pile. Right: hickory chips from a department store.

The Forgotten Fish of the West Coast

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

Ican assure you that anyone who has experienced a West Coast fishing adventure has a never-ending library of memories, stories, and photos of epic fishing.

Stories and photos of incredible fish battles from salmon, halibut, and ling cod. You can see the excitement on their faces as they show you photos on their smartphone and tell the story that

matches the photos. Often, the photos and stories are from a fishing trip to the West Coast that took place a few years earlier, however, the excitement is relieved each time they tell their stories.

Quillback rockfish look extremely prehistoric and are the author’s favourite-looking rockfish.

Yelloweye rockfish are often mistakenly called red snapper due to their full, red-coloured body. However, yelloweye rockfish and red snapper are two different species and not related.

Many rockfish species are believed to live to over 100 years of age.

There is nothing like an arm-wrenching heart-stopping fight with a salmon or bringing a halibut or ling cod out of the depths of the Pacific Ocean. However, what about the fish species that are rarely talked about?

Rockfish, often referred to as bottom fish, are colourful, abundant, and extremely fun to catch. Best of all, they make for some great table fare. The Pacific West Coast from Alaska to California, has over 70 different species of rockfish swimming within its depths. Some are very bright and colourful like the yelloweye rockfish, while others are very prehistoric looking, like the quillback rockfish, and many rockfish can live over a hundred years. They call deep underwater rock structures, pinnacles, reefs, and even old shipwrecks home and in most cases, multiple species of rockfish species live amongst these structures.

Yelloweye Rockfish

The yelloweye rockfish is the brightest-coloured rockfish that I have ever caught. Yelloweye rockfish are protected in all the areas I’ve fished along the West Coast, including Alaska. However, because they are often caught while jigging for other rockfish species, after a quick photo, they are released using the aid of a sea equalizer. In its most basic form. A sea equalizer attaches to the fish’s mouth and is released using the down-rigger which takes any fish you wish to release back to the bottom in a slow and controlled manner. This allows the fish to equalize to the water pressure as it descends. Once this happens the sea equalizer mechanism opens releasing the fish and they swim away unscathed.

Yelloweye rockfish are often mistakenly called red snapper due to their full, red-coloured body. However, yelloweye rockfish and red snapper are two different species and not related. The yelloweye rockfish is found in deep cold water and is a solitary species, while the red snapper is a schooling species and is more commonly found in warmer waters such as Florida and the Gulf of Mexico.

Canary Rockfish

Another rockfish species that is often referred to as red snapper is the canary rockfish. The canary rockfish and yelloweye rockfish are often mistaken for each other as well due to their similar coloration. This is a fish species you want to get right as the yelloweye rockfish is protected.

Canary rockfish and many other rockfish are related in one way or another. Many rock-

Lingcod feed on schools of black rockfish and it’s not uncommon for large lingcod to latch onto the same black rockfish you’re fighting.

NEW FOR 2024

fish species, including the canary rockfish, are Ovoviviparous. This means, their eggs are fertilized internally and hatch inside the female and she gives birth to live young. Canary rockfish inhabit the same areas as other rockfish and aquatic life, and unfortunately, the young canary rockfish are an important part of the food chain for other species, including their close relatives.

Quillback Rockfish

Quillback rockfish are my favourite looking rockfish and have been since I caught my first quillback over 20 years ago. It is believed they can live to over 100 years of age, and they look extremely prehistoric. However, don’t let their intimidating looks fool you. They are one of the tastiest rockfish from the West Coast you will dine on.

Like many other rockfish species, everything on a quillback is a form of armour and pokes and easily sticks into you drawing blood. For humans, this will often leave a burning or stinging sensation at the point of entry due to the venomous anti-predator glands. Like all deep dwellers, they can see very well within the dark depths and have an extremely sensitive lateral line to detect both predator and prey. They are also found on the same structures as the yelloweye and other rockfish but commonly stay within schools. As the saying goes. “There is safety in numbers”.

Black Rockfish

The black rockfish, often referred to as black bass, or black sea perch, are abundant and aggressive. Black rockfish stay together in large schools and when you catch one, you’re going to catch a lot of them. Black rockfish may not have the fancy colorations as the yelloweye or China rockfish, or the prehistoric look of the quillback, however, they are my favourite rockfish to target.

I’ve heard of black rockfish pushing the scale to 10 pounds. However, my largest was around the seven-pound mark and because they travel and congregate in large schools on large rock structures, it’s very common to catch and release 30, 40, or even 50, black rockfish ranging from two pounds to five pounds on one structure. One of my greatest and most memorable experiences fishing on the West Coast is with Serengeti Fishing Charters. David Summers JR, the second generation of Serengeti Fishing Charters, told me to bring my 7-foot medium-heavy action walleye rod/reel. He stated. “Don’t ask why. But you’re going to love it”.

After a morning of halibut fishing, David throttled up the boat and headed to another one of his many fishing spots somewhere on the Pacific Ocean. As he drove the boat, he told me to get my walleye rod and reel ready and to tie on a 2 ½ oz Spinnow from BuzzBomb Tackle. After about 20 minutes, David throttled down the boat and intensely watched his fish finder and told me to get ready to drop my lure. I could see on his fish finder an abundance of arcs just off the bottom of a large steep rock structure. We were in 70 feet of water when he gave the order to drop my Spinnow. As my lure fell through the water column and got close to the bottom, I felt the bite. I set the hook on a three-pound black rockfish.

I reeled up my prize put him/her in the box and dropped down again. Every time I dropped my lure, I set the hook. All I wanted to do for the rest of the day was catch and release black rockfish on light tackle.

Ever since that day, I’ve been hooked on black rockfish. Every year, when I book a trip with Serengeti Fishing Charters, I request that we spend some time fishing for black rockfish with my walleye rod and reel. It was one of the most memorable experiences I’ve had fishing on the West Coast, apart from my black rockfish and ling cod encounter.

This past summer, I was fishing with David for black rockfish in 80 feet of water. I was fishing with my medium-heavy walleye rod and reel, spooled with a 50-pound Sunline braid. I was one black rockfish short of my limit when I felt the bite of a black rockfish. I was only five or 10 seconds into the fight when I felt the thunderous pull and the weight of something big on the end of my line. I don’t know how long the fight lasted but it seemed like an eternity. Finally, about six feet beneath the surface we could see that a large ling cod had my black rockfish in his mouth. The ling cod was not hooked, it was simply holding onto my black rockfish. As luck would have it, I didn’t have my limit of ling cod yet. David instructed me not to lift the ling’s head out of the water or he would let go of the black rockfish. As I maneuvered the ling cod to within a few inches beneath the surface, David gaffed the ling cod, and we brought a three-pound black rockfish and a 40-pound ling cod into the boat.

West Coast rockfish are colourful, prehistoric-looking, and abundant. However, they are rarely talked about. If it’s your first time fishing on the West Coast, or the next time you fish on the West Coast, be sure to spend some time targeting the rockfish. n

Live Scope and Muskies

BY GLENN MCDONALD

No technology has changed the fishing world more than forward facing sonar, universally known as live scope.

Change has been both good and bad. Those that have it love it, those without it, hate it. Debate has been a hot topic on social media since its introduction.

Its use in the musky fishing world had been just thought of as ‘just another tool’. That changed last season in the PMTT, the professional musky tournament trail, when a team won using multiple live scope units. New rules were put in place to limit the number of units a boat could have in tournament use. The debate heated up on whether its use is ethical or not in musky fishing. The art of ‘sharp shooting’ soon became the topic of the day.

To Live Scope or Not?

I resisted the need to add live scope, or forward facing sonar (for the purpose of this article, I will refer to it only as live scope) for over two years. Musky fishing with friends who had utilized it on their boat, I could see the benefit of it. I could also see the negative side, or the ease of which we could employ the aforementioned ‘sharp shooting’.

Like any technology, it takes time for the public to find its place in real world applications. Live scope has become used more as a general tool now to most musky anglers. The fear of new anglers using it to drive around a lake and only casting at fish marks is proving to be mostly untrue. Mostly I say, as it is true, some anglers will use it that way, however the vast majority of musky anglers use it as part of a system.

The cost of ownership of this technology has kept it out of reach for most casual anglers, as it is an investment of over $3000 in most cases. The interesting thing about live scope technology is that it converts over to ice fishing very easily. Thus, the investment can be spread out over summer and winter fishing seasons.

Why I decided I needed it

As I mentioned, I resisted the urge to add live scope to my fishing electronics system. Being primarily a musky angler, I knew the limitations of such technology, being a content creator on YouTube, I knew I would be judged by its presence in my boat. That being said, the ability to use it for ice fishing, as well as for spring walleye and bass, prior to musky season felt like a good investment to me.

I was late to the live scope party, adding it in 2023, I was a few years behind many musky anglers in its use. It did not take very long to see a positive change in our fishing, and our success.

Can you use it ethically in musky fishing?

I fully understood that to feature it in our YouTube channel, 54 or Bust, we would have to show it can be used ethically. While we have casted at fish first seen on live scope, the dreaded ‘sharp shooting’, it always falls within the normal fishing we are doing.

Being able to see bait, and fish, has changed the way we approach certain areas. During the summer of 2023, we were fishing deeper than normal, fish were not using the shallows due to warmer weather. Live scope was a big part of locating bait fish off the structure, in depths down to 20 plus feet. In cases where we didn’t actually see fish on live scope, the abundance of bait would tell us to fish those spots. In many cases we were successful, only due to seeing active bait fish. One aspect of live scope, as it relates to musky fishing, that rarely gets mentioned is the ability to watch fish after you release them. This has proven to be a great tool for us. Releasing fish and

LIVE SCOPE FOR EVERY SEASON

The ability to use live scope in both summer and winter is a huge draw for many anglers. The ease in which it can be adapted to winter is unlike any other fish finding unit on the market. The only drawback is needing something to hold the head unit and its ‘black box’, or processor box.

Enter the ice shuttle. Over the past few years the market has been flooded with ice shuttles aimed at the live scope market.

I wanted something I could use in both seasons with minimal change over. The made in Winnipeg, Manitoba ArcLab Industries shuttle and transducer pole was just the answer. Paired with a LarMac 360 track mount that allows me to mount it in any 3” Cannon style track in a boat. Disconnect using the ArcLab Industries quick mount plate, utilizing Ski Doo Linq latches and I am instantly ready for winter use.

In my opinion it is one of the best units on the market, and being local was something I could stand behind.

https://arclab-motorsport-fabrication.myshopify.com/

watching them slowly return to the same depth we caught them from, tells us they are not stressed from the catch. This type of real time tool was never available prior to live scope.

How we benefited from live scope I do not keep accurate stats on every fish we catch each year, however by editing the video footage of almost every catch, I see many common traits. I can honestly say live scope played a part in approximately twenty five percent of our catches. Would we have caught 25% less fish without it? I don’t think so. But live scope showed us information on the water that conventional sonar or side imaging did not show. We use it as a tool in a much larger system. When we see active fish on live scope, we try to use that information, and understand why that fish is there.

Musky anglers know wind and waves play an important role in musky location, and live scope was able to show us small, spot-within-the-spot areas. A few catches are worthy of note, while fishing with friends, Greg and Marty, I located bait fish pushed up on a windswept shore. Casting a Red October tube and letting it walk down the break line off shore I caught a beautiful tiger musky. Within minutes of releasing that tiger, Greg caught a musky

from the same spot along shore, this time on a Dadson Blade Bait. The live scope had revealed the bait, never showing me the fish hiding in the rocks, but our experience told us to cast at the bait.

In another instance, while fishing on Eagle Lake with friends, I watched the musky follow the bait up to the boat. As I scanned around with live scope I could not find the fish, however I missed it sitting under the boat and I hit the next bait that came in. Turning out to be a nice four footer, the live scope was instrumental in seeing it as a deep follow, putting the fellow anglers on high alert.

Is it the be all, end all?

It is an amazing tool, I would miss it at this point if I didn’t have it. But is it the be all, end all of fishing? I don’t really think so, we catch enough without it playing a role to know that we can do it with or without live scope. Like anything new, once you learn it and utilize it, it’s hard to be back.

As prices come down and it becomes more affordable, more casual anglers will be able to add it to their boats. For the musky angler, it can be a fabulous addition to any boat. For us, it is part of a system we employ out on the water, and we always balance technology with old-fashioned fishing tactics. n

Walleye Gyozas

BY JOSH MCFADDIN

I could easily eat 50 of these things if left unattended. The balance of a soft and crispy outer shell with the soft and savoury filling is the perfect explosion for the senses. I would also highly recommend finding a jar of Chili Crisp, a condiment that packs a ton of flavour, spice and heat, all things that compliment these fantastic little bites.

These little dumplings are very easy to prepare in large batches and can be enjoyed fresh, or, frozen on a sheet of wax/parchment paper, then packaged for a snack that can be brought along and cooked anywhere.

The filling and wrapping process might seem a bit intimidating at first, but once you get into a rhythm it becomes easier and faster as you go.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

• 2walleye fillets

• 2 green onions, finely sliced

• 2 garlic cloves, crushed

• 1” chunk of ginger, finely minced or crushed

• 1 Tablespoon toasted sesame oil

• 1 teaspoon cornstarch

• A dash of salt + white pepper

• 1 package of dumpling or wonton wraps

• 2-3 Tablespoons of oil for pan frying

• Condiments: chilli oil, chilli crisp or soy sauce.

HOW TO MAKE IT

• Start by fine dicing your fish or send it for the zip in the food processor. You aren’t looking for a paste here, just tiny chunks of meat, so don’t overdo it.

• Add the fish to a bowl and top with the onion, garlic, ginger, sesame oil, cornstarch, salt + pepper.

• Mix thoroughly and let sit for about 5 minutes. Now, using the technique in the video, grab a spoonful of the mixture and place in the middle of the dumpling wrap. Run a line of water along the edges with a damp finger to assist in sealing as you fold the edges in.

• Heat a pan on medium-high heat and warm your oil.

• Once the oil is hot, place the dumplings in the pan with the seams pointed upward and fry until the bottom is browned; this should only take a couple of minutes.

• Add about 1/4 to 1/3 cup of water to the pan and put a lid on top to allow them to steam. This steam should take about 5 minutes. You want the noodle to cook and the filling to be cooked through.

• Remove the lid and allow for any excess water to evaporate.

• You’ll want to enjoy these while they are hot and steamy, so get them on a plate and top with your sauce of choice and a sprinkling of thinly sliced green onions.

• Enjoy!

Forward facing sonar in 2024

Across the North American fishing community, no other piece of equipment created as much joy and controversy over the past year like forward facing sonar has.

All of the major sonar brands now offer this transducer that allows us to look in front and around the boat and it is helping people catch fish that we never knew were there in the past.

There is no doubt that more fish are getting caught as more anglers employ this technology, creating the joy.

The controversy, mostly from the “crybaby” crowd, comes from concerns that we are “catching too many fish” and that old-school, previously popular techniques and baits are no longer relevant. Times are changing and while you don’t need to use forward or “live” sonar to catch fish, there is no doubt this technology is going to help you put your bait in front of more fish and teach you how to catch them better. To be successful on the competitive stage or as a guide, this is mandatory equipment.

2023 was my third season running Humminbird Mega-Live, their version of forward-facing sonar. Having an idea of how it worked, it took me a couple of days to feel comfortable with what I was seeing on my screen. Basically, we can set a range to look forward with the transducer up to 150 feet and beyond. If we cast or place our lure in the beam, we can watch it on the screen throughout the retrieve. We can also look or I would say “scan” around and see fish as well as cover in the

water like boulders, logs or vegetation. We can also find the high spots on a reef or the drop-off to deep water very quickly. If you like to fish, FFS will make life easier for you every day you spend on the water.

WORKS FOR ALL SPECIES

Since I’ve had this technology on my boat, one thing that I’ve noticed is there is seldom a day I spend on the water where I don’t say “I would have never caught that fish if I didn’t have this”. While I spend more time chasing bass than any other species, I do like to fish for all species, especially when I’m fishing around home.

I have used FFS to catch walleye (thousands of them), lake trout, pike, musky and crappie. Over in Australia, we used it to catch barramundi. Bass and walleye tournament anglers have embraced this technology to the point that every single competitor at the professional level has it on their boat.

Locally, I think nearly all of the most competitive tournament anglers are utilizing it, I can’t think of any who aren’t. It simply allows us to be so much more efficient when we pull up to a spot, we can look around and especially check out the top of the hump or the sweet spot where our waypoint is, see if there are fish there or not and then either try to catch them or move on.

FINDING SUSPENDED FISH

It also allows us to see suspended fish away from the boat, something that was never possible in the past. Last summer, tournament anglers were idling around in open

water with their big motors, looking for suspended smallmouths, then stopping the boat when they see fish and firing casts at them. Over the years, we all got lucky once every couple of years running into these suspended fish, often bigger, minnow-eaters but now, we can target them.

Over the course of each season, I put dozens and dozens of people through my boat and I have yet to hear anybody say “this thing is no fun to use”. In fact, it’s been pretty amazing how fast even inexperienced anglers pick it up.

See a fish on the screen, then put your bait in front of them and then catch them or not. I hear people tell me all the time that they have no interest in getting FFS or using it but I compare it to ice fishing without a flasher or some sort of sonar. It’s just way more fun when you know there are some fish out there to put your bait in front of and then watching how they interact with your bait.

You certainly aren’t going to catch all of them, that’s one thing that you’ll figure out quick. You can watch video of anglers using FFS and they can make it seem like every fish they see, they catch.

When you hit the best waters at the best time when nobody else is fishing, it’s easy to catch a bunch of them, but the reality is, you’ll also find groups of fish that will not bite anything, they simply aren’t in the mood. Or, maybe you need to give them the right presentation. One thing that the best anglers are good at is determining quickly if a fish is catchable or not based on how they react to your baits. If I get denied, I might try a different bait but I won’t waste a lot of time, especially in our part of the world, where there are plenty of other fish out there to catch. Find the biters.

NOT FUN TO WATCH

If you watched video of almost any professional tournaments last year, both walleye and bass, you almost certainly saw anglers in the front of the boat with their heads down looking at the screen. Watching these anglers is comparable to watching someone while they play on their phone, I get that part of it.

It is just not as fun to watch as many of the historically popular techniques that most anglers can relate to. I think part of the reason for the uprise over the past several months is that some anglers are taking it to the next level by putting multiple live sonar transducers on their boats. I get that this is infuriating for many because of the cost of these transducers and screens, costing at least a few thousand bucks per unit. It is unrealistic for most anglers. I am only running one of these

transducers on my boat but as I watch many of my Bassmaster Elite Series competitors posting photos and videos on their social media pages of multiple of these transducers on their boats, it has made me consider if I’m making a mistake? We’ll see how the season goes.

My opinion on all of this is that it’s okay to have fun and catch more fish. Embrace the technology, learn from it and teach new anglers how to use it. I had several days last year where I had kids in the boat with me and I showed them how it works, then they were almost glued to my side for the rest of the day, watching the screen. They didn’t want to put their bait in the water until they saw a fish!

All of that being said, there is some responsibility amongst anglers utilizing live sonar to not exploit the fish by catching and keeping too many or even by catching too many fish in deep water, where they can’t be released. Crappies are especially susceptible to exploitation because they group up in large schools and they almost always suspend at least a few feet above the bottom, so they are very easy to spot on these electronics. If the fish start to disappear, we’ll see more rules and regulations that nobody wants, so take care of the fish and have some fun out there. n

TIPS FOR SETTING UP HUMMINBIRD MEGA-LIVE

I like to take all of the range settings out of auto and set them in manual mode. This keeps the range the same all the time so it’s never jumping around. My forward range is usually set to 90 feet, which is about the length of a full cast. I move the down range around to fill up the screen with the water column, meaning, if I’m fishing in 20 feet of water, I’ll probably set my down range between 22 and 25 feet. Then adjust as you go shallower or deeper.

In forward mode, you have some different options for setting up the transducer. I like to run my transducer in 40 degrees (pointing down more) when I’m fishing deeper water or more vertical, under the boat. When I’m fishing in shallower water or doing a lot of casting and fishing higher in the water column, I like to run it at the 60-degree setting. From the pointing down position, 40 degree is four clicks and 60 degrees is six clicks. Each body of water is different and often requires some adjustments to the sensitivity and contrast. Typically, I like to run my sensitivity high, between 16 and 20 (the highest setting). The higher the sensitivity, the more detail you’ll see. With the contrast, the higher you set that, the more the screen will clear up, but you’ll filter out some of the weaker signal returns, so it takes some playing around. Usually I’ll run it between 8 and 10, but will turn it up if the screen is displaying a lot of “clutter”. Those are the only settings I ever really play with on my Mega-Live.

Reduce risks for people, pets and wildlife in lake country. • Be alert • Make noise • Travel in groups • Keep dogs on leash • Keep bear deterrent spray handy and know how to use it • Store attractants where wild animals can’t access them

CONTENT CREATOR

Eric Mullen has a passion for the sustainable management of fish and wildlife. Growing up in Essex County, Southwestern Ontario, Eric spent much of his youth catching reptiles, fishing, and hunting in the natural spaces where he grew up. This upbringing inspired him to pursue a career in natural resource management, to work towards the advancement and promotion of conservation and sustainable resource use.

During an undergraduate degree in ecological restoration, Eric spent his summers in Algonquin Park, first as an interior ranger, then as a fisheries student, this experience inspired him to pursue a career in fisheries biology. From there, he moved to Manitoba to pursue a master’s degree studying the response of Lake Sturgeon to catch and release angling in the Winnipeg River.

As an avid hunter, angler, and canoe tripper, Eric loves Manitoba and exploring its wilderness areas. During his studies, he spent countless hours exploring incredible fisheries across the province, his favorite target species are Musky, Northern Pike, and Burbot. After his masters,

Eric worked for North South Consultants in Winnipeg, travelling throughout Canada working on fisheries and aquatic programs in northern Manitoba, Nunavut, and British Columbia.

He then had the opportunity to work with the Manitoba Fisheries Branch in Lac du Bonnet as a fisheries biologist, where he collected, analyzed, and reported data from long-term sturgeon tagging studies, stock assessments, and research programs.

Recently, Eric moved into the regional fisheries manager position, where he leads the management and fisheries-related programming of the Eastern Region. Here, he takes his responsibility to help protect and enhance fish stocks and fishing opportunities very seriously.

To that end, Eric also believes in furthering the conservation message and has shared fisheries science and management information to the public through Hooked Magazine articles, presentations, podcasts, radio shows, and video.

Listen to Eric Mullen on the Complete Angler Podcast with host Don Lamont

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