Strain Lake in Manitoba: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Strain Lake is listed under Manitoba. It stands 322 metres above sea level. Roughly 1.07 sq km of surface: treat each bay as a water in its own right. You are looking at roughly 11 km of shoreline, with plenty of water between access points. The nearest town is Snow Lake, 77 km away. Saskatoon is the closest city, 536 km away. The county line is nowhere near, so one local authority covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Strain Lake

  No figure exists for depth, so let the water show you. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Take Strain Lake a stretch at a time. Cover your ground slowly and you will find the productive stretch.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The range across the year is -24°C to 17°C. Long winters and short summers set the pattern. Firm cover through the cold months, then open water from early May. Expect the water usable from around early May until roughly early November. Reckon on open water from spring through to late autumn, with May and June the strongest. It holds true on Strain Lake more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing on record says whether the bank is open or closed. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. There is no recorded infrastructure here; expect to find your own way in. Bank access can be seasonal on ground like this. Barbless rules turn up on managed water more often than not. If the gate is shut, Touchbourne Lake at 2.7 km is the nearest alternative. Confirm access to Strain Lake locally before you travel.