Tote Lakes, Manitoba: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  In Manitoba, Tote Lakes belongs to Kelsey. Everything around it is lake country bush. With some 92 hectares of water, there is room for a boat but no need of one. Around 4.3 km of margin, front to back. The nearest town is Flin Flon, 60 km away. Saskatoon sits 453 km out, and it is the nearest city worth the name. The county line is nowhere near, so one local authority covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Tote Lakes

  We hold no survey for this water; read the slope of the shoreline instead. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. County-wide records name white sucker, johnny darter and northern pike. These are county-wide records, so not all of them will be in this water. On Tote Lakes the obvious spot is not always the productive one.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The range across the year is -22°C to 17°C. Winter closes the water for a while, and the reopening is worth catching. The freeze runs deep into the year, with break-up near early May. Averages suggest open water from about early May through to roughly early November. Fishing peaks soon after break-up and again before the cold returns. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Tote Lakes.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. No made access is recorded, so a short walk in is the likely arrangement. A wire trace and a big bright lure handle the pike; deep water asks for a heavier spoon. Look for a notice board at the entrance. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. If the gate is shut, Little Butterfly Lake at 3.7 km is the nearest alternative. None of that is settled for Tote Lakes in what we hold.