Fishing Baxter Lake in Kelsey, Manitoba

• Overview

  Manitoba holds Baxter Lake, in Kelsey. What surrounds it is taiga. About 2 hectares of surface, which puts the far bank inside easy sight. Our Kelsey list holds plenty of bigger water. Cross Lake 19A is the closest place, 32 km off. After that come Norway House at 97 km and Thompson at 103 km. The county line is nowhere near, so one local authority covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Baxter Lake

  Our records carry no depth, so judge it from the bank. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Open biodiversity records for Kelsey list white sucker, johnny darter, northern pike, walleye and silver redhorse. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. On Baxter Lake the first feature you find is usually worth a session.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages here run 17°C at the top of summer and -24°C at the bottom of winter. Ice holds for a long stretch, so the open weeks matter more here than further south. Break-up comes around mid May, and the run that follows is short and strong. Ice clears near mid May and comes back about early November in a typical year. Late spring and early autumn carry the year between them. That is the shape of the year on Baxter Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  The paperwork position is blank for this one. Mapping flags this water as intermittent: it can be dry for part of the year, so check before travelling. Mapping shows no built access close by; expect to walk in from wherever you can leave the car. For the pike, wire up and throw larger lures along the weed edges. Look for a notice board at the entrance. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. Sesep Rapids at 3 km is the sensible second choice. Signs at Baxter Lake carry more weight than any list.