Big Rat Lake in Kelsey: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  The Kelsey end of Manitoba holds Big Rat Lake. The bank is 309 metres above sea level. About 1.50 sq km, so local knowledge or a boat saves a lot of walking. The outline measures near 11 km, so local knowledge counts. 59 km away sits Snow Lake, the nearest town. After that come Flin Flon at 60 km and Creighton at 62 km. Rules here are straightforward: one set of provincial rules.

• Where to Fish on Big Rat Lake

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. Records held for Kelsey cover white sucker, johnny darter and northern pike. These are county-wide records, so not all of them will be in this water. On Big Rat Lake a short move beats a long cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warmest month averages 17°C, the coldest about -22°C. Cold winters and warm summers give a wide working range. The lid usually sets by midwinter and gives way around early May. Climate averages put the opening at about early May and the closing near early November. The strongest runs come at either end of the open season. It sets the rhythm of the year at Big Rat Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Who may fish here is not settled in anything we hold. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. No car park, ramp or path is recorded within easy reach of the shore. A wire trace and a big bright lure handle the pike; deep water asks for a heavier spoon. Local rules can differ across the county line, so check where you stand. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. If the gate is shut, Sulphide Lake at 1.9 km is the nearest alternative. Rules at Big Rat Lake are worth checking on the day.