Rising Spring Water Temperatures Affects Fish Catches

The past three weeks have been truly eventful. Observing the spring thaw and rebirth of the summer fishing season is amazing. 16 days ago, ice was still on the lakes in parts of Northwestern Ontario and Manitoba. Every weekend thereafter, the water temperature has increased by 10 degrees Fahrenheit. May 10th, a small Manitoba lake, (Heart Lake) and Rennie river, saw a temperature of 36 to 39f , Lake of the Woods Kenora area, May 18th, 36 to 39F, the following weekend 42 to 46f, and this past weekend May 31, 52 to 54 f. Incredible to see the transformation and quick temperature rise.

This increase in temperature not only affects us but the fish are also subjected to this change. Walleye and saugers are in need of approximately 55F to spawn and bass approximately 60F to spawn. They have been waiting in the warmer depths of the lakes, some as deep as 50 feet. This past weekend's warmer water temperature pushed the spawning season in full frenzy! The shorelines with rocks and gravel edges were in full flutter and frenzy, with fish species dancing just under the water one to five feet deep. Of course this also brings the predators, a few nice-sized northern pikes were caught, who are hungry and eager to eat anything!

The spawners are preoccupied with their job at hand as we witnessed hundreds of them beside our lures, bait casts and spinner baits, not interested in anything to do with eating. Once evening arrived, however, things changed and we caught slot- sized 17 to 18 inch male walleyes 10 to 25 feet deep. Yes, we were subjected to their job, as we netted them on board, one father hadn't realized his fishing trip with his young sons of six and eight years old would also include a sex education talk!

11 fish were caught this past weekend, four walleye, a sauger, sucker, and three northern pikes. One of our crew members is a pro bass angler from California, Guyle Sternat, eager for his first season, Lake of the Woods catch, thanks to the rising water temperatures that produced activity for this fish species, his two small mouth bass catches of 3.05 lbs and 3 lbs were the icing on the cake, his smile and elated reaction were felt throughout the rest of the day! It feels so good to find what you are looking for!

The Saturday night dinner of walleye was prepared with a delightful flavor of sweet onion sauce broiled together on the BBQ. Can't beat the summer time feel of evening dinner with the catch of the day!! Welcome back summer time fishing fun!!

Created by Genevieve van Oers