How To Get Your Kids Into Fishing

As individuals who have a great appreciation for the outdoors, it’s really important to us that our kids learn to find the same values in nature as we do. Whether it’s fishing, or boating, or hunting, or even just being outdoors; influencing your children to appreciate these same activities is essential. Starting your kids out with activities like fishing is a great way to get them to enjoy the outdoors. Fishing is safe, fun, and a really great bonding experience. Here are some tips on successfully getting your kids involved:

Get them off technology

Before you hand your kids a video game, hand them a fishing pole. With new age technology and gadgets it can be hard to pry your kids aware from the screen, but in doing so, you can create amazing memories to be cherished for a lifetime. Fishing is one of those rare activities you can do with the whole family where every single person is involved and it’s peaceful enough to be able to enjoy each other’s company.

Keep it simple

You want to simplify the first experience so that the focus is on catching with the gear that matches the age range and probable skill of the child. For ages four to six, you will want a short rod of no more than 5 feet in length and with a flip-bale spinning reel. Your local outdoors store will certainly sell age appropriate gear.

Practice first

Before you head out on the water, have your child practice casting off in the backyard. This can save a lot of time and possible frustration on the boat later. Before you go out on the boat, practice off the dock.

Start small

A local pond or slow-flowing River is a good start for a fishing location. These bodies of water are typically stocked with a variety of easy to catch fish. Don’t take your kids fishing and expect to hook enough fish to feed yourselves for the year. It’s more about the bonding, less about the success of catches. Your children might not want to stay out on the lake all day, and that is totally understandable. Remain patient and flexible.

As your child becomes a more skilled angler, you can venture out to different spots where harder to catch fish thrive.

Burntwood Lake Lodge is a great place to visit once your child has had some practice with fishing. To book your family fishing vacation, give us a call.

How To Get Your Kids Into Fishing

Get them off technology

Keep it simple

Practice first

Start small

As your child becomes a more skilled angler, you can venture out to different spots where harder to catch fish thrive.

Burntwood Lake Lodge is a great place to visit once your child has had some practice with fishing. To book your family fishing vacation, give us a call.

Prepare For Your Hunting Trips Early

When you plan a hunting trip, you cannot afford to forget a few key pieces of hunting gear. This is why hunting checklists are popular and crucial. Realizing that you have to take a long drive back to retrieve a forgotten hunting license can ruin any good hunt, and a checklist can help you avoid that disaster. Hunting is meant to be a relaxing and enjoyable experience, so do what you can to ensure that your hunt does not deviate from that goal.

The Months Prior

Check the sights in your rifles pre-season; make any necessary repairs early. Obtain the necessary information for getting a hunting license and make sure you process your application as early as possible.

Scout hunting land and secure it by asking the owner for written permission to hunt. Asking for permission goes a long way between neighbors, and it shows that you practice polite hunting etiquette.

The Week Prior

Create a hunting supply checklist, and organize each section by categories. Head to the store to purchase everything on your list, along with anything that may prove useful, and don’t forget a new first-aid kit.

Wash your bed sheets and clothes with a scent remover, removing as many traces of human scent as you can.

The Night Prior

Pack all non-perishable food and clothing into the vehicle the night before. This will save you hours in the morning, and it will make unpacking much more pleasant.

When you prepare early, you do more than ensure success through preparation, you also add excitement and anticipation to your hunting excursion. When perusing the internet for hunting checklists and packing tips, be sure to look for information specific to the game you hunt.

Advice for Spring Walleye Fishing in Manitoba, Canada

Fishing for Walleye in Spring

Right now, in very early spring, is the best time to find and catch trophy size walleye in Manitoba, Canada. It is one of the most productive seasons because many walleye spawn and hunt for food in early spring.

Catching elusive fish like the walleye is easy enough if you have a few of our tricks up your sleeve. The key is to ensure that you do not underestimate the walleye, but you can underestimate the weather. Spring seasons also come with rain and deplorable weather that may deter some anglers, so the fish aren’t as sketchy as when the waters are busy. Furthermore, the fish will look for rocks during cold weather, so they could be easier to find.

Shallow or Deep Water?

Location is important. Water is clear in spring, and they’re quick, so finding and baiting them is key. Walleye often reside in predictable locations, usually in shallow water. Walleye love rocks and places to hide. Sunken islands and running creeks with big rocks are a walleye’s dream home.

Bright, Plastic Lures or Live Bait?

Since the water is clear and these fish can see well, avoid bright or ostentatious lures. Less is more with walleye, and live-minnows will do just fine. As fish are very hungry in early spring, extra minnows could mean a bigger fish!

Day or Night Fishing?

Walleye in shallow water notice hooks better during the day for a few reasons. The sun is shining, the water is clearer, and there are more anglers around. Therefore, walleye are under pressure to survive during the day, and harder to catch. Some anglers will head out at night to better their chances of catching a record Walleye.

Boat or Wade Fishing?

As walleye reside in shallow waters, fishing with a boat is just an accident waiting to happen. Consider a pair of waders for standing in the water. Wade fishing is subtle, and ideal for catching walleye.

Advice for Spring Walleye Fishing in Manitoba, Canada

Fishing for Walleye in Spring

Shallow or Deep Water?

Bright, Plastic Lures or Live Bait?

Day or Night Fishing?

Boat or Wade Fishing?

A Fishing Trip Checklist

Is there anything better than a fishing trip? A fishing trip provides the ultimate escape, as few things are more relaxing, enjoyable and memorable than traveling to fish with your friends and/or relatives. Countless fishermen choose to go to a new place every year, seeking a new adventure and challenge. Others like to stick to tradition, departing to the same fishing spot year after year. Whatever your ritual may be, there are few things to look forward to more than a fishing trip.

For novice fisherman, packing your first bag for a fishing trip can be exciting, but it can also cause some minor anxiety as you fret over what to bring and what to leave behind. The worst-case scenario is arriving at your destination and either realizing you forgot something at home, or chose not to pack something that you ended up needing. Below are 4 things that you should always pack for your fishing trip.

1) Clothing for all weather possibilities. This should include a jacket and extra layers for when it’s cold out, a reliable rain suit, waterproof shoes and something comfortable to wear when it’s warm out.

2) Bug spray, sunglasses and sunscreen lotion. All three of these things are borderline necessities, as you do not want bugs to drive you crazy or a sun burn/sun poisoning to prevent you from having the best possible time.

3) Toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant and other bathroom toiletries. A necessity for any type of vacation.

4) Proper fishing equipment. Either talk to the place you are staying at, or to a more experienced fisher to see what type of rods, reels and other equipment that you will need for the trip.

This is just a brief list of what one should pack for their trip. Figuring out meals, sleeping arrangements and other mitigating factors will also affect what you decide to pack. Luckily, some places take care of that for you.

And don’t forget your passport if you are leaving your country for a unique fishing trip!

What Exactly Do You Need To Enter Canada?

In summer of 2009, U.S. laws changed to stricken the requirements for entering our neighboring country, Canada. Ever since then, there has been confusion and speculation as to what you need to enter and exit Canada.

Documents

Age, transportation, and motive all affect which documents you will need. Customs officers are entitled to refuse entry to either country at any point. Having the incorrect documentation could throw a gigantic wrench in your vacation, so we have provided you with a checklist. Ensure members who are traveling with you have everything that he or she needs according to their demographic.

• Traveling by air, for adults and children, passengers are required to have a U.S Passport and a Nexus Card.

• For Adults arriving by land or by sea, a U.S passport is required.

• In MI, NY, VT, and WA, an Enhanced Driver’s License is acceptable for entry to and from Canada.

• For vacationers on cruises, which begin and end on the same port, passengers may provide a driver’s license and a birth certificate. However, some cruise liners are stringent in order to protect their assets, so check with them first.

• For kids arriving by land or sea, under the age of fifteen may present only a birth certificate, as they have no photo ID.

For more information please visit http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/tourist.asp.

Being Prepared to Hunt

With hunting season in full swing, it is important not to overlook the basics. Before you head out on your hunting trip, look over the 2012 Manitoba Hunting Guide for some important information about rules, regulations and guidelines for the hunting season. In the guide, you will find a wide range of information from changes in the laws, to general information about hunting on public and private land, to big game hunting regulations and even tips for handling and preparing wild meat.

In addition to reading over important material and keeping up-to-date with the latest hunting rules and regulations, before you head out, make sure you have all the necessary items to make sure your hunting trip is a safe and enjoyable one. Below you will find an outdoor travel checklist from the Manitoba Wildlife Federation

Hunting Checklist:

•   Have a map of area and a compass- and make sure you know how to use them!
•   Bring a large orange-colored plastic bag – this is useful as emergency shelter, signaling device or rainwear.
•   Do not forget a flashlight and spare batteries.
•   Bring extra food and water.
•   Make sure you pack extra clothing – clothes for rain and wind, toque and gloves, sweater and warm pants, and proper footwear.
•   Pack sun protection including sunglasses, sunscreen, hat, long-sleeved shirt and pants.
•   Always have your pocket knife with you
•   Remember to bring waterproof matches and/or a full lighter.
•   Check weather forecasts prior to departure.
•   Have a first aid kit on hand and know how to use it.

Some other things to bring: whistle, small lightweight ground insulation, projectile-type flares, tarp, space blanket, flagging tape, notebook and pencil.

(http://www.gov.mb.ca/conservation/wildlife/hunting/pdfs/hunting%20guide_2012_web.pdf)

Stay safe this hunting season!

Moose season is finally here!

Are you searching for the perfect big game hunting expedition embark on this fall? If so, you should visit Burntwood Lake Lodge, the preeminent hunting destination in Manitoba. Our always popular guided moose hunts are now back, as moose season runs from September 23^rd through October 7th!

One of the most unique characteristics of hunting at Burntwood Lake Lodge is that there is no resident or local hunting, only fly- in hunting is permitted. This leaves the game all to our visitors, as competition with the locals is avoided. Burntwood offers fully guided moose hunts with the most elite guides who can lead you to the trophy of your dreams. Central Manitoba is renowned for having big game moose with big racks, and our guests have captured moose with racks ranging from 50 inches all the way up to 63 inches. What a wonderful addition to the mantle that would be!

Right now is the treasured rut season, which ensures the ubiquitous moose will be plentiful. Your guide can help you call out to the moose and answer their calls. Burntwood’s customers have over a 90% opportunity rate, while 75% is the norm for the success rate. It is truly a wonderful opportunity to finally get that big game trophy that you have sought after for years.

Included in our 2012 hunting package is a plane flying from Snow Lake, MB, and a return home with your game. Also, three meals a day, fishing, government taxes and a hunting license is all included in your package. We will also cape and dress your game. Now is the time to reserve your trip as the moose rut season will be over before we know it. Please contact us for reservations or to ask us any questions. Best of luck to you this hunting season!