Open-water fishing season almost here

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 04/05/2019 (2319 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It’s getting close to that time! The open-water season is almost upon us. Unfortunately, cooler temperatures have slowed the melt of lake ice in Manitoba and northwest Ontario.

Lake of the Woods is still mainly frozen, but if you want constant updates on ice conditions, search the Internet for Lake of the Woods Ice Patrol and you will find a daily report.

On a trip this past weekend to Lac du Bonnet, I was surprised to find all the ice gone in town.

The current in the Winnipeg River system clears out any weak ice. That means the Winnipeg River is open in most stretches all the way from Kenora.

If you are looking to get out on the water, this is an option to fish the part of the river in Ontario. Don’t forget, though, the walleye season is closed in northwestern Ontario.

Check your regulations online to see what species can be caught.

Our season in southern Manitoba opens on May 11 this year. Don’t forget to purchase your angling licence for the new year and check any regulation changes that might have occurred.

I was on the water on Lake of the Woods on April 30 two years ago. While it was a cool day, the sun was shining and the fish seemed hungry after a long winter.

We found fish concentrated in small flush areas between islands in the lake. A north wind was generating current between these narrowed down sections.

The fish were relating to current edges on the back side of these islands. I put my front troll motor down in spot lock and we proceeded to fan cast the area with small jigs tipped with salted shiners.

Our best success came by slowly dragging our jig back to the boat along the bottom. This would allow the fish to find the jig and pick it up very slowly.

With cold water temperatures, this is a key to catching early-season fish of all species.

We had a mixed bag, including one massive lake whitefish that put up one heck of a fight.

When you head out this opening day, look for areas that have the warmest water.

Other key areas include ones with current flow, especially if that flow is bringing in warmer water.

I really like mud-bottom bays, with some shallow scattered weeds or anything that might hold hungry fish. Go quietly, make long casts to shallow fish and work the lures slowly.

Another great option to cover water early in the season is by trolling shallow diving crankbaits. To cover more water and to allow you to get your lure away from the boat, use planer boards. Shallow fish will move to the side of the boat, so this is a great way to overcome that.

That was our second choice that day, a huge shallow bay.

With only two of us in the boat, we decided we didn’t need to use the boards, just letting out a bit more line than usual behind the boat.

For the pike we caught, it didn’t seem to matter. They were just smashing the Rapala Husky Jerk shallow-running lures we were using. I love these lures for this application, and I have a box full of them, all different colours and sizes.

One key, though, is make sure you don’t troll too fast. One kilogram an hour is plenty fast enough.

If you find fish concentrated, just anchor or hit spot lock on your troll motor and cast all around the boat. Once an area is worked over, continue on until you find another pod of shallow fish.

If you find fish on shallow sand, dragging a jig on a slow troll also works. As in all fishing situations you are only limited by your imagination! All this should lead to a successful opening day of the fishing season.

Anglers notes

Thanks to the Lac du Bonnet Wildlife Association for a fun event this past week.

With 440 members this is one of the largest in the province.

The group has many projects on the go, including a youth angling initiative and fantastic trout ponds north of town.

dlamont46@gmail.com