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by Patrick Campeau, Brad Fenson,
Gord Pyzer and T.J. Schwanky
photo by Brad Fenson |
Drill Here
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Canada’s 50 best hardwater hot spots
for walleye, pike, panfish & lake trout |
The promise
of huge fish and incredible numbers—that’s the stuff
of fishing hot spots. Even in the dead of winter.
For the dedicated angler, there’s no reason a little cold,
snow and ice should get in the way of some serious fishing.
In fact, many of the best catches of the year are to be had
after freeze-up—if you know where to aim your auger. Here’s
our selection of Canada’s top destinations for hardwater
action this winter.
Unsure about the hardwater regulations in your neck of the woods?
Go to the provincial and territorial
links on our Web site.
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| COOL
TIP |
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WALLEYE
With their early- and late-winter feeding binges—and their
tendency to move around less over the winter—Canada’s
favourite sportfish certainly don’t lose their appeal
during the hardwater season.
Calling Lake, Alberta
Having trouble catching a big ’eye through the ice? Better
head for Calling Lake. Ice anglers commonly catch five- to eight-pound
fish at the south end of the lake, which produces throughout
the winter. Drill plenty of holes on the flats and actively
fish large areas. Jigging spoons, Balanced Jigging Rapalas and,
of course, minnows are local favourites. —B.F.
Iosegun
Lake, Alberta
This is an ideal place to take kids or beginners during
the winter to catch lots of fish. Focus on the lake’s
west side along the creek and drop-offs that run parallel
to the shoreline. Drill a line of holes along the drop
and fish depths of three to 18 feet. A basic jig and minnow
fished close to the bottom produces well. —B.F.
Lesser Slave Lake, Alberta
Slave is undoubtedly Alberta’s most popular winter-walleye
destination. A huge lake with seemingly endless structure,
the fishing can be spectacular. Drop-offs are popular
throughout mid-winter, while the flats really pick up
in March. A big minnow danced on a Swedish Pimple, a Berkley
Gulp on a plain jig or a Balanced Jigging Rapala tipped
with a minnow head is deadly. —B.F.
Pigeon Lake, Alberta
Big fish—and lots of them—are the draw for
this catch-and-release fishery. Three- to 14-pounders
are the norm, and good days produce more than 50 fish.
Large sand and mud flats and mid-lake structure hold walleye
all winter. Punch lots of holes and jig a minnow close
to the bottom. For the big fish, also try Reel Bait Walleye
Flashers. —B.F.
Lake Diefenbaker, Sask.
This is a huge lake with endless angling possibilities,
including the chance to catch walleye weighing more than
10 pounds. Fish the shoulder hours of the day or last
ice for the best results, concentrating along drops, mid-lake
humps and flats. Berkley Gulp, frozen minnows, Hawger
Spoons, Jig-a-Whoppers, WildEye jigs and spoons should
all be put to the test. —B.F.
Last Mountain Lake, Sask.
If it’s big walleye you’re after, then you’ll
want to visit Last Mountain Lake in early December, as
soon as it’s safe to go on the ice. The best fishing
is found across from Rowan’s Ravine on the shallow
flats early in the morning. Anglers here enjoy the best
success on Walleye Flasher jigs tipped with frozen minnows.
—T.J.S.
Tobin Lake, Saskatchewan
Early last January, an 18.3-pound wall---eye was hauled
through the ice on Tobin, breaking both the Saskatchewan
walleye record and the world ice-fishing record for walleye.
Need we say more? There’s plenty of structure to
fish here, including the old river channel, drop-offs,
gradual points and flats. Minnow-tipped jigs fished tight
to the bottom are recommended. —B.F.
Lake of the Prairies, SK./MN.
Lake of the Prairies kicks out an astonishing eight pounds
of walleye per acre, even with a protective slot limit
in place. This man-made reservoir was created through
the widening of a 65-kilometre stretch of the Assiniboine
River; the original, submerged channel and riverbanks
are now prime walleye-gathering structures. First and
last ice are best, when jigs, spoons and swimbaits prevail.
—G.P.
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Dauphin Lake, Manitoba
Chock full of walleye, Dauphin is the epitome of a huge,
featureless prairie lake. It’s so shallow, it’s
common to set the hook and ice a fish all in one motion.
Throughout the season, focus on subtle depth changes (12
inches is significant) using a jig tipped with a minnow.
Fishing early morning, late afternoon and prolonged overcast
periods is best. —G.P.
Red River, Manitoba
By late December, the giant greenbacks for which the Red
is famous have migrated into the river from Lake Winnipeg.
Walleye weighing 10 to 14 pounds are relatively common.
The Lockport Dam at Selkirk stops their progress, making
it a favourite staging area for walleye and anglers alike.
Jigs and spoons, especially those with rattles, tipped
with frozen emerald shiners are popular. —G.P.
Bay of Quinte, Ontario
From Glenora to Trenton, anglers search for Quinte’s
abundant and large walleye all winter. Fish weighing 15
pounds or more are common, especially for anglers fishing
the shoulder hours of the day. Increasing water clarity
due to zebra mussels has forced anglers to fish deeper;
the hot presentations are jigging spoons, such as the
Fergie Special, and minnow-tipped jigs. —T.J.S.
Lake of the Woods, Ontario
Hundreds of kilometres of ploughed ice roads and groomed
snowmobile trails make travelling on this one-million-acre
lake easiest in the winter. A week before Christmas finds
early birds catching walleye relating to sharp structural
breaks. Last ice finds the fish staging near spawning
channels. Balanced Jigging Raps, lead-headed jigs and
spoons tipped with lively minnows produce the bulk of
the winter catch. —G.P.
Rainy Lake, Ontario
Research from Ontario’s Ministry of Natural Resources
suggests Rainy contains more walleye than any other lake
in northwestern Ontario. Red Gut Bay and Swell Bay are
particularly flush with walleye, as is the area immediately
east of Fort Frances, including Stanjikoming Bay. Use
a thin metal leader above your jig, spoon or swimbait,
so you don’t lose it to the lake’s hungry
pike. —G.P.
Lake Saint-Louis, Quebec
Anse-au-Sable Bay offers great walleye fishing from mid-January
to mid-February. The walleye here average one to three
pounds, and it’s not uncommon to see nine- and 10-pounders.
Focus on the bay’s many structures and drop-offs,
from six to 20 feet. Tip-ups with small shiners generate
fantastic results, while silver and blue Balanced Jigging
Rapalas also work well. —P.C. |
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1.
WALLEYE | 2. PIKE | 3.
PANFISH
4. LAKE TROUT | 5.
FLORIDA'S WINTER BASS FIX |
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