George Lake near Portage la Prairie: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  The Portage la Prairie end of Manitoba holds George Lake. It lies 258 metres above sea level. The far bank is a conversation away, so keep low and quiet. It is one of the smaller waters we list in Portage la Prairie. For supplies, Portage la Prairie is 2.8 km out. Further out sit Carman (54 km) and Headingley (63 km). The county line is nowhere near, so one local authority covers the water.

• Where to Fish on George Lake

  Depth is unmeasured here, so let the shoreline guide you. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Fish documented in Portage la Prairie include common carp, black bullhead, brown bullhead, freshwater drum and northern pike. The county list is broader than any single water. Read George Lake before you fish it and the day goes better.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The range across the year is -17°C to 20°C. Seasons are distinct, and each one fishes differently. Once it clears, about late April, the fishing comes on quickly. Break-up sits around late April on average, with the water closing again about mid November. Reckon on open water from spring through to late autumn, with May and June the strongest. George Lake fishes to that pattern most years.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. The closest car park is 940 m away, so pack accordingly. Pike mean a wire trace, no exceptions; big spoons and jerkbaits do the searching. Sort the permit out before you load the car. A polite question at the farm gate opens more banks than anything else. Crescent Lake sits 2.7 km off and takes the overflow. Nothing here settles the position at George Lake for certain.