Mid Lake, Manitoba: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  The Kelsey end of Manitoba holds Mid Lake. It sits at 205 metres above sea level. The water covers some 99 hectares, so pick a bank rather than trying to cover it all. You are looking at roughly 5.1 km of shoreline, with plenty of water between access points. Ground here is low by Manitoba standards. 31 km away sits Thompson, the nearest town. The big place round here is Winnipeg, 628 km distant. The nearest edge is a long way off, so local rules apply throughout.

• Where to Fish on Mid Lake

  Depth is not on record here, so the bank has to tell you. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. County-wide records name white sucker, johnny darter, northern pike, walleye and silver redhorse. County data is a starting point rather than a guarantee. Mid Lake fishes better once you know its edges.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The range across the year is -25°C to 16°C. The freeze holds for the better part of the year. Ice fishing carries the winter, and the water opens about mid May. On the long-run averages the water opens up around mid May and starts locking again about early November. The first weeks of open water and the last are the ones to plan for. Time your trip to Mid Lake by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing we hold confirms whether access is permitted. Records list it as a natural water body rather than an impoundment. Mapping shows a jetty some 590 m off. A picnic spot sits 680 m from the bank. For the pike, wire up and throw larger lures along the weed edges. Read any posted signs at the access point rather than assuming. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. Middle Lake sits 3.2 km off and takes the overflow. Rules at Mid Lake are worth checking on the day.