Wess Lake in Manitoba: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Wess Lake belongs to Manitoba. It lies 282 metres above sea level. At some 1.08 sq km it is far too large to cover on foot in a day. The outline measures near 8.0 km, so local knowledge counts. For a base, Thompson sits 145 km out. For a city, Saskatoon is 654 km off. What else is close: 2.1 km away is Doran Lake, Buzz Horne Lake after 3.3 km, 7.6 km away is Alto Lake, Pontius Lake after 10 km and 12 km away is Crater Lake. One jurisdiction covers this water end to end.

• Where to Fish on Wess Lake

  Depth figures are not published for this one. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. At Wess Lake the first feature you find is worth twenty minutes. Fish move shallower as the light drops.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warmest month averages 16°C, the coldest about -25°C. Little of the calendar is open water, so timing counts for everything. Winter fishing happens on the ice here, with open water back around mid May. On the long-run averages the water opens up around mid May and starts locking again about early November. Just after the ice goes and just before it returns, the fishing lifts. It holds true on Wess Lake more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. No dam controls it, and the level follows the season. No car park, ramp or path is recorded within easy reach of the shore. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. A polite question at the farm gate opens more banks than anything else. For a change of water, Doran Lake is 2.1 km distant. Check the position at Wess Lake before loading the car.