Winslow Lake Fishing in McCreary, Manitoba

• Overview

  Winslow Lake is set in McCreary, Manitoba. It stands 671 metres above sea level. At roughly 7 hectares, the whole thing is within casting reach of a single walk. It is a small entry by McCreary standards. For supplies, Minnedosa is 51 km out. Dauphin is 54 km away, with Neepawa at 56 km. It sits well inside its county, with no border complications.

• Where to Fish on Winslow Lake

  No published figure covers depth, so learn it as you fish. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. Records held for McCreary cover white sucker, northern pike and Iowa darter. County data is a starting point rather than a guarantee. On Winslow Lake the first feature you find is usually worth a session.

• Seasonal Patterns

  July runs about 17°C on average, January about -20°C. This is a two-season water: locked, then wide open. The lid usually goes in early May, which opens the strongest weeks of the year. In an average year the thaw lands around early May and the freeze near early November. Fish feed hardest at the start and the close of the open season. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Winslow Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether you may fish here is not something records settle. No car park, ramp or path is recorded within easy reach of the shore. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Where the road in crosses private land, ask first. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. The nearest alternative is Whirlpool Lake, 3.6 km out. For Winslow Lake, the notice at the access point is the final word.