Lake of the Prairies in Riding Mountain West: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Riding Mountain West, Manitoba, is where Lake of the Prairies sits. It sits in pine and birch. At 52.11 sq km you are fishing a fraction of it whatever you do. There is far more edge than the surface area suggests, thanks to the arms. It is the biggest water on our Riding Mountain West list. The nearest town is Roblin, 15 km away. For a city, Regina is 236 km off. It sits well inside the county, so one set of rules covers it.

• Where to Fish on Lake of the Prairies

  No depth figure has reached our records, which makes a plummet useful. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Records held for Riding Mountain West cover white sucker, rock bass and blackside darter. The list covers the county rather than this water alone, so treat it as a guide. At Lake of the Prairies light and wind decide more than tackle does.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Seasonal averages run from -19°C in January up to 18°C in July. A full turn of seasons, with the strongest sport on either side of summer. Look for the thaw near late April; the fishing lifts straight after. From about late April to around mid November, expect open water on the long-run figures. Fish feed hardest at the start and the close of the open season. Anyone fishing Lake of the Prairies regularly works to that calendar.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public data does not answer the access question here. Records list it as a dammed water rather than a natural one, which shows in the shape of the basin. Nothing in the way of made access shows up nearby: no ramp, no car park, no path. Read any posted signs at the access point rather than assuming. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. Longdens Lake sits 4.2 km off and takes the overflow. Check the position at Lake of the Prairies before loading the car.