Guide's Gossip
Northern Pike
Eagle Nest Lake, a local name for the Upper Winnipeg River system is abundant with large predatory Pike. The key to landing Pike over twenty pounds is the use of proper
tackle. During May and early June many large Pike are landed using large spoons such as the Williams Whitefish or Doctor spoons as well as suspending crank baits. Once
water temperatures in the bays begin to reach 70 degrees in mid to late June, our biggest pike will prefer much larger lures such as 10" Suicks, Believers, Large Musky
Bucktails, MIG Spinnerbaits, Magnum Bulldawgs, and large top water lures. To throw these large lures, our guides recommend the use of a 6 to 7 foot medium-heavy Musky
Series baitcaster equipped with 50-80 pound Power Pro. Power Pro is one of the best lines available on the market and has an extremely thin diameter compared to
monofilament. To ensure a positive experience, we offer Power Pro and many Northern Pike lures in our tackle shop at the Lodge. One last essential is the use of a leader
for Pike. Many Musky shops offer state of the art fluorocarbon and monofilament leaders of 100-180 pound test. Heavy steel and titanium wire leaders at least 12 inches
long are also great for holding up against a Pike's sharp teeth.
Walleye
Walleye prefer much smaller, slower moving baits than Northern Pike. We jig vertically for many of the Walleyes we catch, and a medium or medium-light spinning rod
equipped with 8-15 pound test power pro and a 1/4 or 3/8 ounce jig is an excellent setup for walleyes. We supply frozen minnows and (leaches until mid July), which act as
excellent bait for Walleyes. Other excellent lures for Walleyes include crankbaits such as 6" Reef Runners, 3 inch Rapala Shad Raps, and Rapala Tail Dancers. Another
effective method for Walleyes is the use of bottom bouncers with Spinner rigs which we also tip with a minnow or leach.
Smallmouth Bass
Eagle Nest Lake offers World Class Smallmouth Bass fishing, especially in late May through to mid June as water temperatures reach and exceed 60 degrees. This proves to be
the best time to catch high numbers of Smallmouth. A medium Spinning or Baitcasting combo, equipped with 10-20 pound test will be the most versatile Bass fishing rigging.
Some of the best lures include Tube jigs (gitzits), Flukes, X-raps, Tail Dancers, Skitter pops, Jitterbugs, size 3 Mepps, Shad Raps, and small Spinnerbaits.
Fly Fishing
Fly fishing is an excellent method for Smallmouth Bass in June. If you are an avid fly fisherman feel free to bring your fly rod to cast for some Smallmouth. A seven or
eight weight rod with weight forward floating line will be great for throwing small bass bugs, woolly buggers, and other small streamers. Pike will also readily take a
large fly. Big Zonkers and Deceivers work best on an eight or nine weight rod with weight forward sink tip line.
Closing Remarks
Matching the proper equipment to the fish you want to catch is an important part of hooking and landing a Trophy fish. Three of the most important steps in determining if your setup is Eagle Nest ready are; Ensure that your line is fresh without nicks, check your drag to make sure the line pulls off smoothly, and check all the eyes of your rod to make sure that your rod has not been damaged in any way. This can help prevent losing a fish due to equipment failure. One last step is to pinch the barbs on the hooks you plan to use. Angling in the Province of Manitoba requires barbless hooks, so any lure that is in use must have the barbs squeezed. Informed preparation will ensure that you have a successful fishing trip at Eagle Nest Lodge. We look forward to your stay... "Your professional guide team" (when we're not fishin' we're catchin')!!