Northern fishing experience not that far

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 17/06/2006 (7120 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

SOME southern Manitoba anglers have a mistaken belief that fishing opportunities in the north are difficult to achieve.

Fantastic northern fishing requires little more than some good planning and a road trip of moderate length. Really, not too tough at all, and besides, road trips are fun.

Lake Athapapuskow is a large body of water that is accessible via the town of Cranberry Portage, just south of the mining centre of Flin Flon. Getting there requires approximately seven hours of driving, allowing time for rest breaks and fuel along the way.

Should the choice be made to travel the Interlake route via Highway 6, then west on Highway 60, be sure that there is enough fuel in the vehicle. There is only one gas station from Chemawawin on Highway 6 until a few small communities are encountered south of The Pas, a distance of 150 kilometres.

The drive along this stretch of road can be long and depending on the time of year, very few other vehicles may be encountered. Also, be on the lookout for wildlife, particularly during the low light hours of dawn and dusk.

There are several options in Cranberry Portage as far as places to stay. Numerous lodges are directly on the water, and of course there are camping facilities as well. During a visit last week, Athapap Lodge was a very gracious host, and saw to it that my visit was an enjoyable one. Owned and operated by Stan Bowles, the camp offers clean and affordable cabins for die hard anglers and families alike. Situated on the eastern shore of the lake, getting out to the fishing is a snap with boat launch, dock and fish cleaning facilities all on site.

Lake Athapapuskow itself is quite large, with the primary sportfish species being lake trout and northern pike. Lake trout have begun their migration to deeper water, but are easily caught on jigs as well as blade baits dropped to the bottom and reeled back to the boat at high speed. The strikes with this particular type of fishing can be pretty violent, so be sure to hang on tightly to the fishing rod. On the morning that Chris Bowles, our guide, showed us this technique, my fishing partners’ arms were aching by eleven a.m.

Lake trout average in size between four and six pounds, but giants are taken quite regularly. The lake is absolutely full of fish-attracting structures such as sunken islands, underwater channels and depressions. A little bit of searching around and experimentation will put an angler on fish, and the action is consistent.

During my stay, the pike fishing was excellent. The lake has large island clusters as well as rock reefs that are just below the surface. As with any other lake, these are fish magnets. Thanks to a combination of rocky structure with weeds and deep water nearby, anglers trolling these areas can expect to encounter some quality fish. Many presentations will work, though a diving minnow bait will improve the chances of contacting a larger specimen by getting a little deeper to where those fish are, especially now as the water begins to warm.

Navigating Lake Athapapuskow is quite simple, though there are a few hazards lurking just below the surface. Also, due to its sheer size and configuration, the lake can become rough on windy days. Visitors should be sure to ask a few questions prior to heading out, ensure that they have all the necessary safety gear, and consider hiring a guide for a day to be shown around. A guide can be a fantastic investment that pays dividends for the remainder of the trip, as well as future outings.

Again, northern Manitoba and all it has to offer are only a short road trip away. There are all kinds of opportunities for affordable family vacations right here in the province, and north of the 54th parallel is a fantastic place to find a unique and unforgettable experience.

Short Casts

■ Catfish are improving on the Red River

■ Big Whiteshell continues to produce good catches of non-slot walleyes

■ The Lake of the Prairies Tournament was won by Kevin Hollerbaum and Bob Schlosser, taking home the $ 12,000 first prize.

patricknolan@shaw.ca