Drunken Lake, Manitoba: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Kelsey, Manitoba, is where Drunken Lake sits. The bank is 205 metres above sea level. At roughly 11.60 sq km it ranks among the larger waters in the region. There is roughly 50 km of bank, and each arm behaves like its own water. It is among the larger waters listed here for Kelsey. Some 44 km away sits Cross Lake 19A, the nearest settlement. The big place round here is Winnipeg, 523 km distant. The nearest boundary is well away, so one set of rules covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Drunken Lake

  The records we hold are silent on depth, so plan to find it yourself. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Species logged across Kelsey include white sucker, johnny darter and northern pike. The county list is broader than any single water. At Drunken Lake the water rewards a slow, careful approach.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between January at about -23°C and July at about 17°C, the water has a wide range to work through. Winter closes the water for a while, and the reopening is worth catching. Once it clears, about early May, the fishing comes on quickly. Break-up near early May, freeze-up near early November: that is the shape of an average year. The strongest runs come at either end of the open season. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Drunken Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. No dam controls it, and the level follows the season. Public mapping marks it as seasonal water rather than permanent. Formal access is not mapped, so the last stretch is likely on foot. For the pike, wire up and throw larger lures along the weed edges. Bank access can be seasonal on ground like this. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. The nearest alternative is Kaspryzk Lake, 14 km out. Check the position on Drunken Lake before loading the car.