Fishing Tips Archives - Burntwood Lake Lodge

How to Successfully Release a Fish

Many lakes, including Burntwood Lake, participate in catch and release fishing programs. While catching a fish is typically straightforward, the releasing part of fishing may be difficult for those who are new to the sport.

To practice successful catch and release, follow these steps:

When handling a fish, wet your hands or put on rubberized gloves so you help maintain the slime coat on the fish. The slime coat you tend to see helps protect the fish from infection and helps with swimming.
After preparing your hands, hold the fish horizontally whenever you can since that is the way fish naturally swim when in the water. Try not to drop the fish onto any hard surfaces.
It’s important to keep your fingers away from the eyes and gills of the fish and avoid squeezing fish around the belly since that can damage their internal organs.
To minimize handling, use a release tool such as de-hookers or recompression tools, if needed.
Although you may want to take photos of your big catch, remember time is the essence! Release the fish as soon as you are able to and release the fish head first into the water so water is forced through the mouth and over the gills. This helps to resuscitate the fish. .
Last but not least, know the current fishing regulations that apply to the state you are fishing in and accurately measure the fish in order to abide by the regulations. Here at Burntwood Lake Lodge, we practice a catch and release policy of all Northern Pike over 30”.

We want you to have a great experience on the water but we also encourage anglers to be responsible and knowledgeable. If we now have you feeling eager to fish, book a stay with us today by calling 1-877-358-2259.

Go Fish! Take Your Children Fishing

Have you been contemplating whether or not you should go on a fishing trip with your children? After reading about the benefits your children can gain from some good ole’ fishing, you’ll find yourself booking a trip with us sooner rather than later.

Fishing isn’t just a way to pass the time; it can increase your children’s appreciation of nature, allow them to unplug from technology and learn patience.

Appreciation of nature

The more time spent in the great outdoors, the more your children will realize the beauty of our great world. Encourage them to take in every moment because it’s not often that kids these days get out in the fresh air. Grab your pole, put some sunscreen on and head outdoors.

Unplug from technology

Getting your children away from their screens once in a while will help them see that they don’t need to be playing on a computer or video games in order to have fun. If there is no technology present, you can appreciate nature and have a truly relaxing day with your family.

Patience

Going fishing teaches children to be patient and to wait quietly for the things that they want. We live in a world of instant satisfaction and “wanting it now” so fishing really tests patience, which is a great skill to have. Children also learn that not every fishing trip will be as successful as they are hoping. After all, the sport wouldn’t be any fun if we caught a fish every time we put our line in the water.

Come visit us at Burntwood Lake Lodge and experience great walleye fishing with your children. We are sure you will create memories on the water that will last a lifetime.

Best Fishing Apps

In this high-tech world we live in, almost everything now is completely mobile based and users depend heavily on their phones, even avid outdoorsmen. If you’re planning on visiting us and going fishing at Burntwood Lodge, you will most likely take your phone along with you on the boat. You’ll want to have it to prove the size of your fish to your buddies, but also because technology can help us find and catch fish easier. As bizarre as it may sound, fishing apps have become a staple for some of the more successful modern-day anglers.

Here are two fishing-related mobile apps that will help you reel in big, the next time you venture out to go fishing:

Fishidy

This app allows anglers to record catches and data about their trip, share them with friends and link them to real-time locations. The Fishidy app also allows fishermen access to pro-tips and the ability to upload photos of their fish to the online “bragging board.” The entire network is map-based allowing anglers the ability to easily discover patterns and trends from their results. Want to know how you did on the lake last May? Just check the app. At the very basic level, this app is a user-friendly map-based fishing log and is free for both IOS and Android users. If Facebook is for your past and Twitter is for your future, Fishidy is for your fishing.

Pro Angler

This app contains a wealth of information on over 100 species of saltwater fish. You have access to pro-tips from guides in your location, weekly updates on what’s biting, a GPS based boat guide to help you navigate to the hot spots, weather updates, locations of bait and tackle shops and more. If you caught a fish and wish to eat it for dinner, this app even has recipes from top chefs on how to cook your catch. Pro Angler is a one-stop shop for die-hard anglers. The app is free on IOS and Android users.

Here at Burntwood Lake Lodge, we love to keep everyone up to date on new technology that makes fishing easier. Haven’t booked your upcoming excursion yet? Visit us online to learn more about our fishing experiences and give us a call at 1-877-358-2259 to plan your trip.

Best Fishing Apps

Here are two fishing-related mobile apps that will help you reel in big, the next time you venture out to go fishing:

Fishidy

Pro Angler

The Benefits of Fishing With a Professional Guide

Whether you’re a seasoned fisherman, or out to visit the lake for the weekend, a professional fishing guide is always a good thing to bring along on your fishing trip!

Fishing is a wonderful pastime, but for a lot of people, even those who have fished often before, all of the equipment you need to bring with you can be intimidating. Plus, you’ll need different kinds of rods, reels and bait depending on what you’re fishing for. A seasoned, professional fishing guide will come prepared, and help you make sure that you have everything you need for a successful day on the water.

Another benefit you’ll have with the aid of a professional guide is that little bit of insider information. The professional guides that work with us here at the Burntwood Lake Lodge know our lake like the back of their hands. They have all the insider knowledge that can make the difference between a slow day out on the water, and an extremely successful fishing trip. A guide will be able to take you to locations that have been successful for them in the past based on the geography of the lake’s floor, and they’ll know when the best time of day is to catch fish in certain areas.

A guide can also help you master certain techniques that you’ll need to learn when you’re fishing, whether it’s a wrist flick or a special way to bait the hook: our guides know the species of fish in the lake, and they know how to catch them. Certain types of fish respond to some fishing techniques better than others; rather than let trial and error teach you what those techniques are, our guides can show you.

The Burntwood Lake Lodge has been a fishing destination for locals and out-of-towners for over twenty years. Our picaresque cabins, nestled in the heart of the Walleye territory, are a fisherman’s destination. Book your next fishing trip with us today!

The Importance of Getting Fresh Air

Some industrial cities are so polluted that you’ll have a hard time finding fresh air there. Then there’s the infamous “sick building syndrome,” whereas office workers get headaches and have all sorts of respiratory problems because the building they work in is so poorly ventilated.

Getting fresh air into your lungs is important for your overall health and well-being.

Most people spend the majority of their time indoors these days, staring at computer and TV screens. This is not good. Think about our ancestors– they spent the majority of their time outdoors, didn’t they? Now think back to your childhood. Most likely, you spent a lot more time outdoors than you do now, doing things like walking in the woods, swimming in pools, going for bike rides and picking flowers for your mom.

Fresh air is good for you and your body. When you’re surrounded by nature, far from industrial waste, you’re able to breathe in fresh air which helps boost your immune system and reduce your stress levels. At places like Burntwood Lake Lodge in Manitoba, you’re surrounded by trees and water. It smells good in the wilderness and makes people feel calmer and happier than being stuck in highway traffic in the big city– no wonder several companies make a “fresh air scent” spray.

Think about the last time you were away from the polluted city. Imagine the trees, bushes, flowers, walking paths, streams, rivers, and lakes. Didn’t nature make you feel more relaxed? Didn’t you want to take big bucketful gasps for all that fresh air to fill your lungs?

Simply put, spending time in the fresh air, outdoors, energizes us. Being in nature is good for the soul.

Burntwood Lake Lodge is a Canadian getaway where you can enjoy lots of fresh air. It’s also home to some of Canada’s best hunting and fishing areas. As a fly-in resort, Burntwood Lake Lodge is nice and remote– all the better for fresh air fun!

2016 Fishing Gear Guide

We have our trustworthy fishing gear that we can’t ever think of replacing, but with new technology these days, the equipment is easier to use, more efficient, and offer great fishing success.

Fishing season 2016 is well under way.

While we hope you have had much fishing success so far, just in case you haven’t here is a list of some gear to help increase your chances.

Van Staal X-Series reel: this reel is crafted from aircraft-grade aluminum and is the most durable reel you will find. There is an improved drag system to give you better adjustment options as well as a clicker that offers positive feedback to tweak resistance during big fish battles.

Seaguar Smackdown braided line: a super thin line, you have a great advantage for inshore saltwater fishing for fluke, sea bass, and striped bass. It has been tested against 65-pound strengths. You can cast this line further and it comes in a variety of spool lengths.

Buff Pro Series Stripping Guards: to save your skin against line and pole cuts and burns, try this tape that provides super strength for your fingers. These guards are reusable and strip away during all hours of the day.

Patagonia Capilene Thermal Weight Crew shirt: for that early morning and late evening fishing trips, you need skin coverage that insulates and protects. This shirt is stretchy and is made of breathable Polartec Power Grid fabric with interior fleece bumps that create pockets to hold heat.

Fishpond Nomad Boat Net: typical nets are great for the smaller fish, but when you have a large trout, for example, you need something bigger and stronger. This net has a 27-inch easy-grip handle and a wide rubber-mesh bag. This net practically sucks in the fish as you net them.

One of the most personal of fishing choices is which pole you use. If you are looking to upgrade your current rod, this fishing gear guide of 2016 provided by Field & Stream has quite an impressive list.

Burntwood Lake Lodge would like to have an opportunity to fish with you this season. For fishing excursion reservations or to learn about us, you can contact us by calling 1-877-358-2259 today.

No One Is Perfect: 3 Common Fishing Mistakes You Didn’t Know You Were Making

It’s no secret that every angler enjoys their time out on the water. But sometimes no matter what they do, they end up empty handed.

This can leave many of them scratching their head wondering if they did something to diminish their success.

The truth is, there are very common mistakes that many fisherman or fisherwomen could be committing and not even realize it.

Avoid These Mistakes and Bring Home That Trophy

Use the Right Gear – Fish are fish, right? They don’t know any better when it comes to your bait. This actually couldn’t be any farther from the truth. When you hit the water, make sure you have the correct items to ensure you real in that next trophy.
Hold on to Your Rod – When you are out on enjoying yourself it’s hard not to open up a cold one. This means you can just put your rod down and prop it up against something with your line cast in the water. Wrong! Too many times an angler has been burned by this harmless form of letting your guard down so make sure you keep one hand on it at all times.
Don’t Reel in Too Fast – Chances are you’ve cast a line before and thought it was too long. Next time you do, be Odds are you haven’t overcast at all and may end up catching something.

Burntwood Lake Lodge offers guided fishing trips in Manitoba. Our guides are experts and will make sure you do all the right stuff to reel in the trophy you want.

For more information on our fly-in fishing trips or more, feel free to contact us at 1-877-358-2259 today!

No One Is Perfect: 3 Common Fishing Mistakes You Didn’t Know You Were Making

It’s no secret that every angler enjoys their time out on the water. But sometimes no matter what they do, they end up empty handed.

This can leave many of them scratching their head wondering if they did something to diminish their success.

The truth is, there are very common mistakes that many fisherman or fisherwomen could be committing and not even realize it.

Avoid These Mistakes and Bring Home That Trophy

Use the Right Gear – Fish are fish, right? They don’t know any better when it comes to your bait. This actually couldn’t be any farther from the truth. When you hit the water, make sure you have the correct items to ensure you real in that next trophy.
Hold on to Your Rod – When you are out on enjoying yourself it’s hard not to open up a cold one. This means you can just put your rod down and prop it up against something with your line cast in the water. Wrong! Too many times an angler has been burned by this harmless form of letting your guard down so make sure you keep one hand on it at all times.
Don’t Reel in Too Fast – Chances are you’ve cast a line before and thought it was too long. Next time you do, be Odds are you haven’t overcast at all and may end up catching something.

Burntwood Lake Lodge offers guided fishing trips in Manitoba. Our guides are experts and will make sure you do all the right stuff to reel in the trophy you want.

For more information on our fly-in fishing trips or more, feel free to contact us at 1-877-358-2259 today!

When To Start Booking Your Summer Fishing Trip In Manitoba

Who doesn’t love to go on a fishing trip with the family or just the guys? We know that this activity is so relaxing and so many people can’t wait till the season begins each year.

It is important for everyone to know the times that the season begins and when you should reserve your trip to come and fish with us.

The fishing this year will begin on May 21, 2016, according to Manitoba’s Angler Guide since we are in the Northwest Division of Manitoba. The general closure is from May 1, 2016, to May 20, 2016.

Here are a few other regulations from Manitoba’s Angler Guide for anyone that has not fished with us before:

Barbless hooks must be used.
From April 1 to and including April 30 and from May 21 to and including May 31, the walleye limit is 4.
No live baitfish
All lake trout over 65 cm must be released.
All pike over 75 cm must be released.
All walleye over 55 cm must be released.

We offer fishing package rates for 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7-day trips as well as Direct from Winnipeg travel options as well for 5 night/4 day and 7 night/6-day trips.

To see pricing, as well as what is included and not included, visit our Fishing Page.

Your license fee is not included in the price of your trip. This fee varies depending on age and residency status. Here is a quick breakdown:

65+ Manitoba Residents

Conservational License: Free
Regular License: $25.10

Manitoba Resident – Ages 16 – 64

Conservational License: $19.20
Regular License: $25.10

Canadian Resident – Age 16 and over

Conservational License: $28
Regular License: $47.65

Nonresident – age 16 and over

Conservational License: $37.85
Regular License: $62.35

If you are ready to book your trip, we would recommend contacting us at Burntwood Lake Lodge, 1-877-358-2259, as soon as possible to book for this season since we are only a few short weeks away from opening day.