Squall Lake Fishing Guide, Kelsey, Manitoba

• Overview

  Look for Squall Lake in the Kelsey part of Manitoba. It stands 274 metres above sea level. At some 9.02 sq km it is far too large to cover on foot in a day. At about 23 km of edge, most people work one arm at a time. On our Kelsey list it sits near the top for size. Snow Lake lies 7.7 km from the water. Beyond it, Flin Flon at 117 km and Creighton at 119 km. It lies deep inside the county rather than near an edge.

• Where to Fish on Squall Lake

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. Species logged across Kelsey include white sucker, johnny darter and northern pike. Records at county level tell you what is around, not what is stocked here. At Squall Lake the first feature you find is worth twenty minutes.

• Seasonal Patterns

  July runs about 17°C on average, January about -23°C. Cold dominates the calendar on water this far north. Winter fishing happens on the ice here, with open water back around early May. Ice usually gives way near early May, and forms again about early November. The strongest runs come at either end of the open season. On Squall Lake the same rules apply, with local timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  The paperwork position is blank for this one. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. There is no mapped parking or launch close by, which usually means walking in. Pike mean a wire trace, no exceptions; big spoons and jerkbaits do the searching. Gates get locked out of season on water like this. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. The nearest alternative is Cleaver Lake, 2.7 km out. Signs at Squall Lake carry more weight than any list.