30 inch Lake Winnipeg Walleye | Icebound Excursions

Walleye | Sander Vitreus

Probably the most sought after sport fish in Manitoba, the Walleye (sander virteus) or as it’s known locally pickerel, can be found throughout the province.  There are plenty of fly-in and drive to lodges, lakes and rivers that hold trophy potential, as well as some lakes that may not hold many giants, but will keep you so busy you’d think they were pan fish.

We operate on Lake Winnipeg, the 2nd largest watershed in Canada, and the 10th largest lake in the world.  It is a premier Walleye fishing destination, with countless Manitoba Master Anglers caught each and every year.  The Walleye roam the lake following the baitfish.  This migration concentrates them near the tributaries of the south basin in the fall, and they stick around until the spawn in the spring.  This provides an excellent opportunity for both novice and avid ice anglers.  We have had multiple guests catch their first ice fishing, and have it be a Master angler, some with it being their first fish ever.

Most anglers are familiar with the lipless crank bait bite on Lake Winnipeg, and it is one of my favourite methods to catch theses beautiful fish.  Other popular methods are the trusted jig and minnow as well as flutter spoons like Clam’s ‘Peg’ flutter spoon.  Having a decent selection of these lures on hand should have you covered for a day on Lake Winnipeg this winter.

Lake Winnipeg Go Box | Icebound Excursions
Lake Winnipeg Go Box

fNo two days on the lake are the same, I’ve been out with two groups on the lake where on day one group was on fire, and the next it was the other group.  The difference, not where they were fishing, but how.  Both groups were fishing 50 metres of each other, however the first group was fishing with a subtler finesse action on their crank baits, the second group a very aggressive action.  Once we caught on to the difference between the groups, we where able to dial in our action, and get everybody’s rods to start bending.

If you’ve read this far, I should probably let you in on a secret weapon,  I’ve had weeks where everyone I’ve talked to has been struggling, and we’ve been having some of our best days out on the ice.  The reason Clam’s Rattlin’ Blade Spoon, it’s slimmer profile combined with the stainless steel ball bearings in the attached rattle chamber trigger those walleye to bite on the days when nothing else seems to be working.  Just ask my guests who ‘borrow’ the lure while we’re busy taking pictures of their buddies Master Angler.

If you are looking to target some greenbacks this winter, consider getting Icebound.

30 inch Lake Winnipeg Walleye | Icebound Excursions

Lake Winnipeg Walleye Regulations 2018

30 inch Lake Winnipeg Walleye | Icebound Excursions

Limits and Possession

Fish are considered to be in possession if they are not immediately released into the water from which they were taken. Possession limits are the same as daily catch limits in Manitoba. You may possess no more than one limit of each kind of fish at any time. This includes all fish you have in hand, camp, transportation, at home or for use in a competitive fishing event.

Walleye (Pickerel) & Sauger (either or combined):

  • General Limit
    • Conservation Licence – 4
    • Regulare Licence – 6
  • None may be shorter than 35cm (13.75″)
  • Only one may exceed 55cm (21.5″)
  • Anglers may retain only 1 walleye longer than 70 cm per year. Licence holders who catch and retain one of these fish must immediately record the date on the back of their licence.

* information above obtained from the 2018 Manitoba’s Anglers Guide

Elie's Personal Best Northern Pike | Icebound Excursions

Northern Pike | Esox Lucius

One of the most aggressive species of fish found in Manitoba, northern pike (esop lucius) have always been one of my favourite fish to catch.  They are a great option to target through the ice.

With the large variation in waterbodies across the province, from rivers to shallow mud bottom lakes to deep shield lakes.  Manitoba provides a great opportunity to land monster pike.  Withe the largest in the province recorder at 153.67cm (60.50in) caught on Apisko Lake, you may land your new personal best. With Master Anglers being caught through the ice all across the province  from up north on Reed Lake to the Red River in the south or Lakes throughout the Whiteshell and Winnipeg river to the east. Get your name in the record books today!

With one of the most common ways to target these fish being the use of tip-ups, they can also be targeted through the ice ice with spoons, crank baits and even jigs.  The hard water season can be the easiest time of the year to single out the largest fish.  Using a quick-strike rig with a large smelt or Cisco (tullibee) suspended off the bottom.

Normally not a favourite table fare, in the winter, pike loose a bit of their characteristic slime and fishy smell making them a great option for a shore lunch.