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Has anyone been up to Winnipeg yet this year, who isn't vaccinated? Curious what border crossing is like without the stab!
Yea they don’t like Americans coming back from Canada but they roll the welcome mat out on the southern borderYep. Piece of cake. Didn't question it at all at the Pembina Port. Didn't have to do anything in the app anymore either. It was just like pre Covid times.
Only thing we found out to be different than in years past, is that you are no longer allowed to bring any type of bait across. We've always brought frozen minnows, but got turned around to dispose of those before we could get all the way across. Took an hour to get back through on the US side and they are usually the ones who you have to play a game of 20 questions with.
Went up to see the Jets and Wild play a few weeks ago in Winnipeg. Coming back on a Wednesday morning it took about two hours to get through tot he US. They even had 3 gates open....never took us that long before, I don't know what was going on.
I've been up there many times (heading there this weekend) but have never used a guide. Blackwater cats is probably the most popular. For the most part he is a tag-along service. You use your own truck and follow him and his network of guides around. If lake travel is really difficult I think he has a tracked suburban. Icebound excursions is another and they run snobears. IMO, a guide is not needed if you have the equipment and are willing to put a lot of effort into finding fish. For the most part there is not much structure in the southern basin so you move very often (like every 30 minutes) hoping to land on a school. It is hard work but the results when you find them are more than worth it.Anyone used a guide service on lake Winnipeg for ice fishing? curious on recommendations just never been up there before and would love a guide first time around.
Interesting. Ya hopefully they'll fire up at some point and go on good bite for a whilewe tried live minnows on dead sticks in a very target rich environment and not even a bite. Hopefully the bite improves later in the season.
Just got back from a Friday/Saturday guided trip with Blackwater cats. They require you to book two days because most people just wanted a day mark locations and then came back to fish the same areas themselves the next day.Anyone used a guide service on lake Winnipeg for ice fishing? curious on recommendations just never been up there before and would love a guide first time around.
Nice. Thanks for the update. I did contact them and unfortunately they were booked on the days we can go. He did say if we brought our own tracks and equipment we could follow them...only issue there being tracks.Just got back from a Friday/Saturday guided trip with Blackwater cats. They require you to book two days because most people just wanted a day mark locations and then came back to fish the same areas themselves the next day.
Travel is possible by truck, but I wouldn't go out without second to pull you out. You will likely get stuck at some point. The amount of holes they drill for you is awesome, and they do a pretty damn good job of keeping you on fish and fishing, rather than drilling. If you're a first timer who intends on going back often, then they're a good crew to learn from. It was nice so we were able to fish outside all day long, which also makes mobility so much better. Spoons definitely outfished rattle/swim baits, but they had there time and place during the afternoon lulls. We found probably 10 fish between 26-29.5", many many more between 22-24", and easily brought home a limit of eaters. Nothing over 30", but overall, an awesome time.
We fished the first afternoon ourselves and did pick up a couple on a dead stick.
8" auger, they laugh at us stupid Americans who think we need a 10". I actually sold my 10" after the first time to Winnipeg, to much work in 4' of ice. When I used Blackwater quite a few years ago Donovan was using a strikemaster, the next year he had a strikemaster engine converted to use an eskimo auger, said those blades stood up a bit better. Would be interesting to know if the guides swtiched to electric yet.What is the preferred auger by the guides up there? Brand, electric vs gas, blade still, hole width, etc.? Thanks