Fishing at Heatherington Lake, Thompson, Manitoba

• Overview

  Heatherington Lake sits within Thompson in Manitoba. It stands 491 metres above sea level. It runs to roughly 57 hectares — big enough to hold fish away from the bank, small enough to learn. The full circuit measures close to 3.1 km on foot. Nearest place of any size is Morden, 34 km away. It is 115 km to Winnipeg, the nearest city. Being near a boundary, it pays to know which side you are fishing.

• Where to Fish on Heatherington Lake

  Depth remains unrecorded, so treat the first session as a survey. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. The shape of Heatherington Lake decides where the fish sit. Mind your footing where the bank steepens.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-run averages give July about 18°C and January about -18°C. A full turn of seasons, with the strongest sport on either side of summer. Hard water holds through the cold months, breaking up near late April. On average, late April opens the water and mid November closes it again. The first weeks of open water and the last are the ones to plan for. Time your trip to Heatherington Lake by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  The paperwork position is blank for this one. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. Public mapping marks it as seasonal water rather than permanent. No built facilities appear in mapping around this water. A phone call first saves an afternoon. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. Lac Rondeau at 2.7 km is the sensible second choice. Confirm before you fish Heatherington Lake.