Witchai Lake Fishing in Kelsey, Manitoba

• Overview

  Witchai Lake is listed under Kelsey, Manitoba. The bank is 174 metres above sea level. It covers about 37.16 sq km, which means weather matters as much as tactics. With about 88 km of shoreline, local advice saves a lot of walking. On our Kelsey list it sits near the top for size. The closest town, Thompson, is 70 km away. Then Gillam, 137 km, and Oxford House, 153 km. This one is safely inside the county line.

• Where to Fish on Witchai Lake

  Depth here is unknown, so count the lead down before committing. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. County-wide records name white sucker, johnny darter, northern pike, walleye and silver redhorse. Records at county level tell you what is around, not what is stocked here. Treat Witchai Lake as a water to read rather than to cover.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Average temperature peaks around 16°C in July and bottoms out near -23°C in January. Water stays cold even at the height of the year. Ice is part of the season here, ending near mid May. Average temperatures cross freezing around mid May in spring and again near early November in autumn. The middle of summer slows a little, with dawn and dusk carrying it. It holds true on Witchai 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. Pike mean a wire trace, no exceptions; big spoons and jerkbaits do the searching. A phone call first saves an afternoon. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. If the gate is shut, Edward Lake at 10 km is the nearest alternative. Treat Witchai Lake as unsettled until someone local tells you otherwise.