Fishing at Botterill Lake, Kelsey, Manitoba

• Overview

  Kelsey, Manitoba, is where Botterill Lake sits. The surface lies 191 metres up. This is sizeable water at about 1.92 sq km, and a boat opens up most of it. Some 7.2 km of bank gives room to move when the wind turns. By elevation it sits in the lower part of our Manitoba listings. Thompson at 71 km is the nearest place to stop. It is 656 km to Winnipeg, the nearest city. It sits well inside the county, so one set of rules covers it.

• Where to Fish on Botterill Lake

  No depth figure appears in our records, so the bank has to tell you. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Records held for Kelsey cover white sucker, johnny darter and northern pike. Read it as a county summary, not a water-by-water list. On Botterill Lake the quiet end is the one worth the extra effort.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July near 16°C and January near -23°C on the long-run figures. Open water is the exception rather than the rule here. Hard cover is dependable here; it goes around mid May. The lid tends to go about mid May and return around early November. Late spring and early autumn carry the year between them. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Botterill Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing in our records says who may fish here. No dam controls it, and the level follows the season. Mapping is blank for access, so scout the approach before committing the car. A wire trace and a big bright lure handle the pike; deep water asks for a heavier spoon. Where the road in crosses private land, ask first. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. For a change of water, Glossop Lake is 3.9 km distant. The position on Botterill Lake is worth confirming on the day.