Fishing season hasn’t exactly opened with a bang

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 28/05/2022 (1568 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

First it was too little water, now it is way too much!

Water, water everywhere. Combine that with cold temperatures, and it could be one of the worst fishing openers ever. As is the case, there are some fish being caught but caution is strongly advised on most rivers and tributaries. There is also a scary amount of debris dislodged with the high water.

There are also a ton of closures including most if not all the Winnipeg River as record flows wreak havoc on cottages, docks and boat launches. As I write this the peak flows have not even hit the Whiteshell yet. They are expected in early June. Some of the lodges on the river are also in danger. As of May 24th the North Whiteshell has been put in a state of emergency and all people asked to evacuate.

The Whitemud River on the south end of Lake Manitoba was OK early but the last rainfall flooded everything out.

I reached out to Don Stokotelny who runs Sticky’s Tackle in Dauphin for an update. He says Dauphin Lake is currently a whole foot above flood stage. Cottage owners at Ochre Beach have been laying sandbags for two weeks straight. Sticky says all launches are flooded while the tributaries in the lake are high and muddy with no shoreline fishing opportunities. Sticky thinks once things settle down there should be some walleye in them. The Duck Mountains are closed since both Hwy 367, and 366 are washed out. Lake of Prairies is gaining 3-4 inches per day. It is a reasonable height but the water is dirty but the fish are just starting to cooperate. Lake Manitoba and the Waterhen Rivers are still low, but the lake has gained a foot since fall. Sticky says it has been the slowest spring he has seen.

For those who are thinking of heading east, Lake of the Woods and the Winnipeg River there are causing flooding as well. Jamie Bruce, who lives in Kenora, says boat ramps are washed out and closed on the Winnipeg River and Black Sturgeon Lakes as they experience even more extreme water levels than Lake of the Woods.

He says the high water and heavy current are going to change the dynamic of the walleye fishing in Northwestern Ontario. Bruce says you’re going to have to adapt to the conditions to catch current related walleye, and likely what worked last year is not going to play. The shallow mud bite that can play on opening weekend is not likely going to be a factor. He plans on fishing current pinches in 15-20 feet of water until it warms substantially. For those able to get out for walleye, the bite has been good later in the day with the sun warmer up the water a bit in the shallow water.

When you first get on the water this open season, the most important tool on your boat might be your electronics. Why is that? Smallmouth like to find warm water early in the year right up until they spawn around the 60 degrees Fahrenheit range. This could mean just a slight difference of two degrees. Most good electronics have a surface water temperature feature that lets you know what you are dealing with.

Look for wind protected, shallower bays early. It helps if they have some soft, dark bottom as well. It also helps if you find warmer water flowing in. A bonus are shallow rocks and boulders in the shallow mud bays. I also like to look for pencil reeds which usually hold a few fish.

WHAT TO USE

There are a few key baits to use at this time of the year but when the smallmouths are scattered a bit, suspending jerkbaits are tough to beat. There are a wide variety on the market, but I like the Rapala X Rap. It is a versatile lure that can be cast or trolled. If the bass are a little lethargic, switching over to rubber can be the ticket. This can include a small tube jig or swimbait rigged on a jig. The main thing is not to complicate things.

There have been some catfish caught in the Red and Assiniboine rivers, but this action is from shore. Some of the trout lakes have been good.

ANGLERS NOTES:

Many of our drive-to lodges in southern Manitoba are going to be affected by the high water. This after two and a half years of dealing with the pandemic. Hopefully we can get the rain to stop and get some warm, sunny weather. Everyone in this province needs it.

dlamont46@gmail.com