Lac Ste Anne

[Smoky buck]

OK stuck exploring all new waters since moving so starting from scratch. So basically it’s pick a lake at random. I am a good open water fisherman but kinda meh ice fishermen so targeting lakes through the ice for my first attempt is not my favourite way to go.

Thinking of trying Lac ste Ann but have no clue what species are worth targeting and what is there but poor numbers.

Never targeted whites would not mind trying are there decent numbers in this lake?

Anyone know what the ice is like

Never done the walleye tag thing is there reasonable C class numbers?

Mostly I am interested in what species are worth targeting in this lake so I am at least using the right tactics to stand a chance at success. Not asking for anyone’s spots just general information. It would be nice to know if the lake just sucks too lol

Before anyone says just go figure it out don’t worry in time I will fish every body of water within 2hrs in time :fishing:

[mrluke1]

Good population of walleye. That’s all I would really fish for in that lake.

[Smoky buck]

Good population of walleye. That’s all I would really fish for in that lake.

Thanks what kind of average size ?

[wind drift]

Lac Ste. Anne is a great fishery. Lots of pike, walleye and whitefish, with perch and burbot added in, if you want to specialize your technique. Remarkable comeback, actually. In the 90’s, there were very few walleye and pike. For a lake that close to a big city, it’s quite amazing that it’s so good. But don’t tell anyone...

[Smoky buck]

Thank you as well

[Alberta Bigbore]

I do rather well there.... i find it the hardest lake to catch lake whitefish out of any i have fished

There was a guy driving his truck on the ice yesterday.. i was quading out with my gear in a pelican sled and had 8 inches where i was.. and top 3 inches was white ice. Not my fav lake by far.. but close to home

[Red Bullets]

An interesting note about Lac St. Anne...

One winter in the first decade of the 1800's David Thompson was staying at Lac St. Anne and the Fort Edmonton fur traders were netting the lake. He weighed the largest whitefish caught and recorded the weight in his journals. 18 lbs. and some ounces. Wouldn't that be a treat to catch?

sorry for the derail... dare to dream.

[ddddd05]

Very interesting info Red Bullets!

[Smoky buck]

Thank guys and don’t worry about the highjack

If I am lucky enough to catch an 18lbs I will take pics

[Smoky buck]

Looks like I am stuck working on my auger before I check anything out :mad3:

[SNAPFisher]

i find it the hardest lake to catch lake whitefish out of any i have fished


Same for me so far. They didn't seem interested in what I normally try. Might have to put in some time at this lake.....on day ;)

[3blade]

The whites get netted so there’s fewer of them compared to other lakes. Still around though. The walleye bull crap management hasn’t wrecked it so far, probably because of the nets taking them as incidentals...hopefully everyone fills their tags. The walleye are around the island pretty consistently.

What I’ve been told by several old timers is the whites there like kastmasters smacked into the bottom more than wire worms, but it’s either on or off and you know within the first hour of light. Never tried though, probably should if we get some pleasant temps.

There are springs. Wouldn’t drive it, but then I don’t drive on ice at all anymore. I live 30 min away, anyone wants to team up sometime or share info send me a pm.

[Tcon]

I remember in the late 90s early 00s a summer kill that had thousands of whites floating belly up. I remember boating through the copious amounts of dead whitefish amazed at their size. Not sure if the populations have rebounded since then.

I used to have consistent luck 10 years ago fishing for whites but the vegetation has change significantly in the areas I used to fish, its now a barren wasteland. I have made a couple attempts in the past few years but have only found walleye.

[Moo Snukkle]

The whites get netted so there’s fewer of them compared to other lakes. Still around though. The walleye bull crap management hasn’t wrecked it so far, probably because of the nets taking them as incidentals...hopefully everyone fills their tags. The walleye are around the island pretty consistently.

What I’ve been told by several old timers is the whites there like kastmasters smacked into the bottom more than wire worms, but it’s either on or off and you know within the first hour of light. Never tried though, probably should if we get some pleasant temps.

There are springs. Wouldn’t drive it, but then I don’t drive on ice at all anymore. I live 30 min away, anyone wants to team up sometime or share info send me a pm.

I’ve had success with the Kastmaster technique in the 1980s. 25-30 ft of water around the island.
Wasn’t far from there dad and I came across an old fella fishing alone on the bare ice.
15 ft away from him was what appeared to be a small black container on the ice. As we drove by, the scenario became eerily clear. The object was a tire. Happened to be a spare tire, mounted on the back door of a Pacemaker van that had just fallen through the ice. The old guy had wasn’t going to be denied his day of fishing, which is why he had his wife make the long walk back to town for help!
Beware of springs!