Anglers had a beautiful sunny day out on the ice at the Pelican Lake Ice Fishing Derby on Saturday, with over 1200 people in attendance, each trying to find the perfect combination of lucky lures to favorite rods, to the tastiest, most appetizing bait - all to land the largest fish to win the new quad!
Healthy Lake Committee Chair, Trevor Maguire, says the day-long fundraiser was fantastic with incredible community support, with folks coming from near and far to support the efforts to maintain the aeration field systems... and to get in on some fun fishing!
The Healthy Lake Committee continues their efforts each summer with projects that range from assessing fish populations of the different species, as well as finding ways to reduce the number of carp in the lake. The common carp is not native to Manitoba waters but is so common that it is not officially recognized as 'invasive' anymore. However, it's competitive eating habits and prolific spawning designates the carp as a fish you don't want in your water ways because it can soon take over.
Looking forward to this summer, the committee is considering looking deeper into the threat of aquatic invasive species, like zebra mussels, the rusty crayfish and others.
"There's a few conversations going on around the cottages about aquatic invasive species, so there will be some decisions made on that," shares Maguire. "We wrapped up our carp project last year, which was looking at how to keep carp out of the lake and harvesting a few. So, that's all wrapped up. Now, we need to make some decisions about what comes next."
To do all the things that this committee has on their wish list, takes a lot of effort, commitment and volunteers ready to roll up their sleeves. Maguire says more volunteers are needed to keep the momentum going for positive change.
"With the work load we're always in need of volunteers and there's only so much time volunteers can fill in for something," he says. "So, yes we always need people to do the work. And a lot of us have been doing this for 12-13 years," he adds.
"I don't go away in the wintertime because I have a fishing derby and an aeration system to run!" he laughs.
Maguire can joke, but in all seriousness, the Healthy Lake Committee has done an outstanding job of turning Pelican Lake around!
From the annual winter fish-kills to the summer blue-green toxic algal blooms that took the lake off the list as a summer destination, they've turned it into a beautiful lake with blue water, and plenty of fish! Yes, there are still some bouts of algal blooms (one of the cons of living on the prairies). And some anglers complain that the fish in Pelican Lake just don't bite, no matter what they've got at the end of their fishing line. Perhaps the fish are just that happy with the abundance of freshwater shrimp, plenty of bugs and underwater critters, and healthy algae for their food source!
For those considering joining the committee, Maguire says they don't necessarily have to be a cottage owner or landowner on the banks of Pelican Lake, nor a resident of Ninette. As many have a vested interest in the lake, through fishing, boating, sailing or just to use enjoy the lake as their regular hang-out, all are welcome to volunteer for the variety of projects they've got going!
"We have lots of people who just enjoy the lake in all the different seasons, and for many years, and might want to participate in one way or another," adds Maguire.
The grand prize this year was a 2023 Outlander 450 Quad! MSRP $9,900 won by first place winner, David Dyck!
Adult Northern Pike:
- 1st - David Dyck 106 cm @ 12:21 pm
- 2nd - Lee Moir 99 cm @ 12:05 pm
- 3rd - Erwin Lau 99 cm @ 12:50 pm
- 4th - Curtis Boulet 99 cm @ 1:19 pm
Junior Northern Pike:
- 1st - Dylan Case 79.5 cm @ 1:18 pm
- 2nd - Knox Winberg 79 cm @ 11:07 am
- 3rd - Noah Loewen 79 cm @ 1:28 pm
- 4th - Idin Anton 78 cm @ 10:58 am
To check out the results of Saturday's ice fishing derby, winners and their fish sizes, please visit www.healthlake.ca