The Red River currently has a normal to slightly above normal ice thickness. Based on February measurements this year, the ice thickness generally ranges between 56 cm (22 inches) and 132 cm (52 inches).
Table of Contents
What month is best for ice fishing?
March is the best month of the winter for ice-fishing in most of the Ice Belt, but anglers are never sure how the ice conditions will impact access to the lakes.
Is the Red River good for fishing?
The Red River boasts more than 70 species of fish including some of North America’s finest game fish. The Red River offers excellent fishing opportunities for channel catfish, walleye, northern pike, and some lesser known fish.
Where can I fish for walleye early ice?
How thick is the ice on Lake Manitoba?
Lake Winnipeg 15-16 inches of ice and growing on most areas accessed around the southern edge.
Does time of day matter for ice fishing?
The best time of day to ice fish is during the first couple of hours after sunrise, and for about 2 hours both before and after sunset. These are the times when most fish are heading to their feeding grounds, and when most species are active.
Is it good to ice fish at night?
Less fishing pressure Most anglers are active during the day, so fishing at night will mean fewer anglers hovering over that hot brush pile or creek channel. The reduced the number of anglers crunching across the ice and the potential fish disturbance won’t hurt either.
How do you catch a big fish in ice fishing?
There are two ways to catch fish through the ice: use ice traps called “tip-ups” or use a specialized jigging rod to deploy your bait through a hole in the ice. Most ice fishermen set out all their tip-ups, and if they get a hot hole, remove the trap and start using a jigging rod.
What fish are in Red River?
The Red River is internationally known for its trophy-size channel catfish. Other fish species include muskellunge, northern pike, smallmouth bass, fresh-water drum, sauger, bullheads, walleye, goldeye, mooneye, carp, and lake sturgeon. There are large numbers of pheasants, migrating waterfowl, and white-tailed deer.
Are there trout in the Red River?
Rainbow and brown trout inhabit some tributaries of the Red River, such as Swift Camp Creek, East Fork of Indian Creek and the Middle Fork of Red River. Paddlers on the Red shouldn’t be fooled by the creek-sized flow they encounter at the upper river access in Wolfe County.
What depth should I ice fish for walleye?
The depth at which to ice fish for walleye depends on the time of day, and whether it’s early, late, or mid winter. At midwinter they are often found in 30-40 ft. deep water around noon, while towards evening they move into more shallow water of about 10-25 feet to feed on schooling bait fish during the night .
How do you target walleye ice fishing?
What do you use to ice fish for walleye?
How many rods can you fish with in Manitoba?
ANGLING AND ICE FISHING Anglers may use only one rod and line, except during ice fishing when two may be used.
What is the size limit for walleye in Manitoba?
The province-wide regulation means anglers could no longer keep walleye over 70 cm in length, and instead could only keep one walleye over 55 cm in length and not exceeding 70 cm. Currently, anglers can keep one walleye over 55 cm, which can include one over 70 cm, depending on the zone and body of water.
Can you use barbed hooks in Manitoba?
In Manitoba, anglers must use barbless hooks. A barbless hook is a hook with no barbs or barbs that have been compressed to be in complete contact with the shaft of the hook. Barbless hooks may have barbs on the shank for holding bait.
What is the best weather for ice fishing?
Cloudy days are preferred by most ice anglers. Light levels are more subdued and fish feed more actively throughout the day. Match the clouds with a falling barometer and you’ll hopefully have yourself a good day of fishing.
How do you measure ice fishing depth?
What do you ice fish with?
For ice fishing live bait, try wax worms (bee moth larva), maggots, spikes (fly larvae), wigglers (mayfly larvae) or minnows. You can drop your bait and leave it alone, or you can slowly jig to attract the fish.
Do fish bite after dark ice fishing?
Some anglers do have success on nights with bright moonlight. Most of these fish are sight-dependent when feeding and darkness keeps them hunkered down. The most popular types of fish to target for a night bite are crappie and walleye.
Do glow sticks attract fish?
Do glow sticks attract fish? Yes. Glow sticks are useful at attracting fish in murky or dirty water but you can also use them to attract fish in deep water where sunlight does not reach. Popular glow sticks to attract fish include 1 inch, 3 inch and up to 6 inch glow sticks.
What attracts fish while ice fishing?
Chumming and scents Chumming is the most obvious way of attracting fish to a centralized location. Don’t know what chumming is? Simply put, it is the process of spreading large amounts of bait or scent in the water to draw in schools of feeding fish.
Where do fish go under the ice?
Look for points, breaks, weed lines, and underwater humps. During first ice fish the points and bars that extend from shore and the weed lines. Midwinter look for fish around the deeper structure like mid-lake humps and rock piles.
How do you find fish while ice fishing?
- Use a GPS or charts to find gradual drop-offs.
- Drill holes in the ice.
- Hang your ice transducer in the water (if you have one)
- Setup ice fishing tip-ups and/or start jigging.
- If you don’t catch fish, move until you find them!
Are there alligators in Red River?
Yes, we have alligators in Lake Caroline at Red River Refuge.