Fishing Maclean Lake in Manitoba, Manitoba

• Overview

  The Manitoba end of Manitoba holds Maclean Lake. It sits at 366 metres above sea level. At some 2.16 sq km it is far too large to cover on foot in a day. The margin runs to about 9.7 km in total. Nearest place of any size is Thompson, 385 km away. Pelican Narrows lies 404 km off, Snow Lake another 429 km. Not far off: Deniset Lake 3.9 km, Antsanen Lake a shade over 5.3 km, Cunningham Lake 11 km, Charney Lake a shade over 11 km and Peacey Lake 13 km. This one is safely inside the county line.

• Where to Fish on Maclean Lake

  No depth figure has reached our records, which makes a plummet useful. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. The shape of Maclean Lake decides where the fish sit. The far bank is usually the quiet one.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Seasonal averages run from -27°C in January up to 15°C in July. Open water arrives late and leaves early, which concentrates the fishing. Winter fishing happens on the ice here, with open water back around late May. Climate averages put the opening at about late May and the closing near late October. May into June fishes hardest, and September gives a second good stretch before the lid returns. Plan any trip to Maclean Lake around it.

• Tackle & Baits

  Who may fish here is not settled in anything we hold. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. Access points are not mapped for this water, which suits people who like quiet. Some banks are open only from a marked point. Barbless rules turn up on managed water more often than not. Deniset Lake sits 3.9 km off and takes the overflow. For Maclean Lake, the notice at the access point is the final word.