Ant Lake in Manitoba: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  You will find Ant Lake in Manitoba. It stands 200 metres above sea level. It measures about 55 hectares, which is a comfortable size for bank fishing. The bank runs about 3.2 km all the way round, so one visit can cover most of it. Ground here is low by Manitoba standards. Oxford House is the closest place, 37 km off. The big place round here is Winnipeg, 540 km distant. It sits well inside its county, with no border complications.

• Where to Fish on Ant Lake

  Depth went unrecorded, which puts the reading back on you. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Fish Ant Lake to its features, not to its size. Steep banks give depth at your feet and save a long cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warmest month averages 17°C, the coldest about -22°C. The fishing year opens late and shuts early. After mid May the shallows warm and the fish move up. From about mid May to around early November, expect open water on the long-run figures. Fishing peaks soon after break-up and again before the cold returns. The season on Ant Lake rarely departs from it.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public sources are silent on who controls the bank. No dam controls it, and the level follows the season. There is no mapped parking or launch nearby, which keeps numbers down. Check whether a boat is allowed before you tow one. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. The nearest alternative is Rat Lake, 4.9 km out. For Ant Lake, the notice at the access point is the final word.