What to fish for
Smallmouth Bass
Pound for pound, smallmouth bass are the scrappiest fish in the Winnipeg River System at Minaki. Smallmouth bass take a variety of lures including topwater, spinner baits, and diving plugs. Smallmouth bass are also voracious predators of crayfishes and leaches. Smallmouth bass build nests on gravel or rocky shorelines when the water temperature is about 55-68 degrees and move to deeper water as the summer progresses.
Muskellunge (Musky)
Next to sturgeon, muskellunge or musky is the largest sport fish in the Winnipeg River System of northwestern Ontario. The musky is renowned for its cleverness and intense fight once hooked. Trophy musky are frequently caught and released at Birch Island Resort. Many guests catch big musky in the 48 to 54 inch range or larger while fishing at Birch Island Resort on the five connected chain of lakes of the Winnipeg River System at Minaki (Gunn Lake, Little Sand Lake, Big Sand Lake, Pistol Lake, and Roughrock Lake). Birch Island Resort Guides are expert musky fishermen, they’ll be able to put you on the musky and advise you about which lures are producing best.
Walleye (Pickerel)
Walleye (or the local misnomer “yellow pickerel”) are plentiful on the Winnipeg River System. Walleyes range in size from “shorelunchers” up to about 12 pounds. Trophy walleye are frequently caught at Birch Island Resort. Walleye has a fine, white, and flaky flesh and is likely the tastiest freshwater fish. There’s nothing better than a fresh walleye shorelunch at Birch Island Resort. Walleye spawns over sandy or gravelling shallows with flowing water when the water temperature reaches about 48 degrees. As the summer progresses, the walleye move to deeper waters and out into the five connected lakes of the Winnipeg River System at Minaki (Gunn Lake, Little Sand Lake, Big Sand Lake, Pistol Lake, and Roughrock Lake).
Northern Pike
The northern pike’s Latin name means “water wolf” and the pike on the Winnipeg River System live up to their name. Pike put up an impressive fight and are a thrill to catch. Although many Birch Island Resort guests prefer walleye for shorelunch, pike can also be a tasty treat. Northern pike spawn early in the spring soon after ice out on the Winnipeg River System when water temperatures reach 40-52 degrees. During the summer, northern pike can be caught in a variety of habitat from shallow weedy bays to deep in the current of the Winnipeg River System and its connected chain of lakes at Minaki (Gunn Lake, Little Sand Lake, Big Sand Lake, Pistol Lake, and Roughrock Lake)
Yellow Perch
Yellow perch are plentiful in the Winnipeg River System and reach fairly large sizes. Few anglers fish for perch in northwestern Ontario, perhaps because the Walleye are so plentiful.
Crappie
The Winnipeg River System also has pockets of black crappie, one of the finest tasting panfish around. Crappie is a large, deep bodied sunfish usually about 7-10 inches in length. Crappie is found in discrete schools usually in warm water and slower flowing areas of the Winnipeg River System and its chain of five connected lakes at Minaki (Gunn Lake, Little Sand Lake, Big Sand Lake, Pistol Lake, Roughrock Lake). Light tackle and subtle presentation is essential.