Wither Lake, Manitoba: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Within Manitoba, you have Wither Lake. It lies 203 metres above sea level. About 5.67 sq km, so local knowledge or a boat saves a lot of walking. The bank runs about 38 km in total, split between open shore and sheltered corners. On our Manitoba list it sits near the top for size. 291 km away sits Arviat, the nearest town. Beyond it, Gillam at 309 km and Thompson at 355 km. The county line is nowhere near, so one local authority covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Wither Lake

  There is no recorded depth, so work from what you can see. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Anyone new to Wither Lake should walk it once before setting up. The same spot fishes differently at either end of the day.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Temperature averages peak at 15°C in July and bottom out at -27°C in January. This is a two-season water: locked, then wide open. Once it clears, about early June, the fishing comes on quickly. The water is typically free of ice between early June and late October. Spring is short and heavy here; autumn is longer and steadier. Time your trip to Wither Lake by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  The paperwork position is blank for this one. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. We find no slipway, car park or made path within a short radius, so treat access as rough. Check locally before you travel, because a wasted drive is a long one. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. Toupin Lake, 4.3 km away, makes the obvious fallback. Confirm before you fish Wither Lake.