Fishing at Laurie Lake, Ethelbert, Manitoba

• Overview

  The Ethelbert entry here is Laurie Lake, in Manitoba. It sits at 676 metres above sea level. About 3.73 sq km, so local knowledge or a boat saves a lot of walking. The shoreline runs about 13 km, so it pays to pick a stretch and stay with it. Size puts it in the front rank of our Ethelbert list. You are 40 km from Roblin. Kamsack follows at 57 km, then Swan River at 64 km. This one is safely inside the county line.

• Where to Fish on Laurie Lake

  Depth here is unknown, so count the lead down before committing. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. County-wide records name Iowa darter, yellow perch, northern pike and white sucker. County records show the wider picture rather than this one place. On Laurie Lake the quiet end is the one worth the extra effort.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-run averages give July about 16°C and January about -19°C. Winter owns most of the year at this latitude. Firm cover through the cold months, then open water from early May. Average temperatures cross freezing around early May in spring and again near early November in autumn. The open run goes from the thaw to the freeze, and April through October covers most of it. Anyone fishing Laurie Lake regularly works to that calendar.

• Tackle & Baits

  The paperwork position is blank for this one. No dam controls it, and the level follows the season. Mapping is blank for access, so scout the approach before committing the car. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Where a permit is needed, the nearest town usually sells it. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. For a change of water, Moose Lake is 1.9 km distant. The position on Laurie Lake is worth confirming on the day.