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 Best Ways to Cook Fish

People who come to Burntwood Lake Lodge in Manitoba love to catch Walleye and Trophy Pike, among other fish.

To cook Walleye, get a large skillet and warm it up over medium-high heat. Heat up some butter and vegetable oil in the skillet. Them, take your Walleye fillets and place them in the pan, cooking until they’re golden brown on both sides. The fish should flake easily with a fork after 3 to 4 minutes per side.

If you want to bake Walleye fillets, dip them into a beaten egg. Then take them and press them into your bread crumb mixture. Place the fillets on a baking sheet and put them in the oven for about 20 minutes at a temperature that’ll properly cook them. A variation on this would be to heat the oven to 500 degrees (260 C) and place fillets skin-side-down, covered with butter, in a 9×13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle lemon pepper and basil on top. At this heat, it’ll take about 7 minutes before the fish is opaque and easily flakes with a fork, ready to eat.

Frying Walleye takes no more than four minutes at 375 degrees. You can use vegetable, peanut or canola oil to deep fry them.

As for Trophy Pike, while most people like to show them off to friends rather than cook and eat them, it’s possible to prepare them for a meal– yes they have a lot of bones, but no, they’re not inedible.

Consider roasting Pike in the oven. You can make an insertion from the anal fin to its head and then remove/discard the innards. Rinse what’s left under cold water and make four diagonal cuts through the skin on its uppermost flank in order to allow sauce to penetrate. Using a baking tray with peeled white onion and lemon to form a bed for the Pike, lay the fish on top. Pre-heat your oven to 375F/190C. Next, your sauce can be made from two ounces of melted butter, the juice from half a lemon, a tablespoon of chopped parsley, and a grated garlic clove. Heat and pour this sauce over the Pike. Cover the baking tray with aluminum foil and let it bake in the oven for 25 to 30 minutes. The Pike is fully cooked when you can insert a skewer into the thickest part of its body with little resistance.

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.

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?

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!