Game of Inches - Alberta Outdoorsmen Edition (2022)

[AlbertanGP]

A couple of weeks ago I was goal setting for the season, and had decided to try to catch a Manitoba Master Angler fish in each of ten species through the ice this year. But after watching Jay's and the Geeks' first Game of Inches videos, I thought this challenge might be more interesting. And then I thought why not put it out there for everyone else on the forum to shoot for as well.

The "rules" will be as simple as possible:

• Fish wherever you fish at any time of the day per regulations. Fishing outside Alberta is fine, but maybe post the general area you caught your fish if it was outside Alberta (Northern B.C., Southern Saskatchewan, etc.) just so we can get a feel for what is possible in our home province.
• Take a photo of your fish on a bump board or other measurement device (PM Mooseknuckle if you need a good bump board at a great price ) and keep of your own score in this thread. The rules are the same as in Game of Inches...mouth closed and the tail has to touch or cross a graduation for it to count at that length.
• You're only competing against yourself. It's not a competition. There are no prizes. Keep it fun.

Obviously chasing a goal over an entire season isn't the same as over five days. Then again, these guys filmed in late March where five days can be as productive as all of January & February. I'm hoping to show that Alberta waters can produce a good score, even if some of my fish wind up coming from northern B.C & Saskatchewan. Good luck, have fun, and stay safe.

[AlbertanGP]

I figured I should update this from time to time to keep myself motivated. Already, there are some fish on the list I have no interest in chasing...that's probably a sign I need more work on them.

I also quickly came to realize measuring fish in a dark shack alone is a good recipe to lose my iPhone down a hole, so I'm doing my entries on an honor system. Some of my pictures don't show the exact length I claim, but they are close. I'm not a professional YouTuber and apparently I don't have enough cameras set up. Anyways, on with the list so far...

• Burbot - 32"
• Pike -
• Lake Trout -
• Other Trout - 24" Rainbow (caught in Sask.)
• Panfish -
• Walleye - 25"
• Whitefish - 21"

Picture is actually a 24" walleye I caught right after the 25".





The whitefish was closer to 22" when I tipped the bottom of his tail up, but I know I'll catch a bigger one before long...I caught him in 20 minutes one afternoon and promptly took off walleye fishing. The burbot and walleye are from yesterday. I had at least a 27" walleye at the hole before the 25". I kept him hooked in the water while I tried to set up a camera...my bump board was still in the Ranger. He got off while I was trying to get organized. SMH... I also lost a fish (probably a walleye but could have been another burbot) bigger than the burbot pictured. He snapped the line on my dead stick but quick. Still can't complain though as it was a great afternoon.

Four species down one month into the season. The odd thing is I've been skunked more days than I've caught fish so far.

[Curtsyneil]

Well it looks like nobody else wants to join the game of inches Alberta for fun edition. Lol. You are well on your way!! Some great fish so far congrats.

[WayneChristie]

well, I set my walter bar pretty high for the first of the season but Im pretty confident I can beat 29 inches hopefully by several inches I need to beat my PB of 33 1/4 inches. Hoping to hit a few decent burbs this winter and I really need to beat a 47 inch pike, got beat already by 2 ladies and thats just not right my best was only 46 inches. you can have the trout title its not very often I go for them any time of the year. the ones you got look pretty great, then again theres a small lake not far from here that has some pretty huge broods in it, a couple lakes actually. so you never know
most people dont know Newell has some huge trout too, just pretty sparse, Ive seen some on the camera.
maybe this will be the year a lot of us can break some personal bests I really hope so!

[fisher69]

i'll see what i can do, no promises though lol.

really though it will be neat to see what people can get and from what areas. hopefully some of the alberta youtubers that hang out here sometimes will participate, like huuy and litwin and others

[AlbertanGP]

Originally Posted by WayneChristie

well, I set my walter bar pretty high for the first of the season but Im pretty confident I can beat 29 inches hopefully by several inches I need to beat my PB of 33 1/4 inches. Hoping to hit a few decent burbs this winter and I really need to beat a 47 inch pike, got beat already by 2 ladies and thats just not right my best was only 46 inches. you can have the trout title its not very often I go for them any time of the year. the ones you got look pretty great, then again theres a small lake not far from here that has some pretty huge broods in it, a couple lakes actually. so you never know
most people dont know Newell has some huge trout too, just pretty sparse, Ive seen some on the camera.
maybe this will be the year a lot of us can break some personal bests I really hope so!

You should hit up that trout lake. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised by the fight from a 6 pound trout. The other fish you're after sound awesome. I haven't fished for pike since hanging smelts under a tip up first became a thing in the 90's, so I'll just hope for something in the upper 30's (teen pounder I think?). And I'm not committing to a ten pound walleye. I'd have been happy with the 27" I lost Saturday.

Good luck to everyone that puts it out there. All in fun. A little pressure/motivation is a good thing....right?

[58thecat]

Originally Posted by AlbertanGP

You should hit up that trout lake. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised by the fight from a 6 pound trout. The other fish you're after sound awesome. I haven't fished for pike since hanging smelts under a tip up first became a thing in the 90's, so I'll just hope for something in the upper 30's (teen pounder I think?). And I'm not committing to a ten pound walleye. I'd have been happy with the 27" I lost Saturday.

Good luck to everyone that puts it out there. All in fun. A little pressure/motivation is a good thing....right?

Your starting to get my interest in this game....this is why I don’t tournament fish.....I get tooooooo involved and forget about other things



I know something is up when I enter a building and the disgusting look on people face tells me I need a break and maybe a shower, wash clothes etc

[AlbertanGP]

Originally Posted by Curtsyneil

Well it looks like nobody else wants to join the game of inches Alberta for fun edition. Lol. You are well on your way!! Some great fish so far congrats.

Honestly, just ticking off every category is an accomplishment. You have to make a real effort to catch everything. Perch is going to do me in. I just can't get excited about chasing 12" fish no matter how hard I try to talk myself into it. Thank God for bycatches.

And, again, I just want to prove a point to all the naysayers that say fishing sucks in Alberta that it doesn't. My quick 'rithmetic tells me I should be able to tag 170' to 180" within three hours of home with only moderate luck.

[Curtsyneil]

Originally Posted by AlbertanGP

Honestly, just ticking off every category is an accomplishment. You have to make a real effort to catch everything. Perch is going to do me in. I just can't get excited about chasing 12" fish no matter how hard I try to talk myself into it. Thank God for bycatches.

And, again, I just want to prove a point to all the naysayers that say fishing sucks in Alberta that it doesn't. My quick 'rithmetic tells me I should be able to tag 170' to 180" within three hours of home with only moderate luck.

I totally agree with you Alberta doesn’t have 100000 lakes but there’s some quality fish to be caught that is for sure.

[Frank_NK28]

Originally Posted by AlbertanGP

I figured I should update this from time to time to keep myself motivated. Already, there are some fish on the list I have no interest in chasing...that's probably a sign I need more work on them.

I also quickly came to realize measuring fish in a dark shack alone is a good recipe to lose my iPhone down a hole, so I'm doing my entries on an honor system. Some of my pictures don't show the exact length I claim, but they are close. I'm not a professional YouTuber and apparently I don't have enough cameras set up. Anyways, on with the list so far...

• Burbot - 32"
• Pike -
• Lake Trout -
• Other Trout - 24" Rainbow (caught in Sask.)
• Panfish -
• Walleye - 25"
• Whitefish - 21"

Picture is actually a 24" walleye I caught right after the 25".





The whitefish was closer to 22" when I tipped the bottom of his tail up, but I know I'll catch a bigger one before long...I caught him in 20 minutes one afternoon and promptly took off walleye fishing. The burbot and walleye are from yesterday. I had at least a 27" walleye at the hole before the 25". I kept him hooked in the water while I tried to set: up a camera...my bump board was still in the Ranger. He got off while I was trying to get organized. SMH... I also lost a fish (probably a walleye but could have been another burbot) bigger than the burbot pictured. He snapped the line on my dead stick but quick. Still can't complain though as it was a great afternoon.

Four species down one month into the season. The odd thing is I've been skunked more days than I've caught fish so far.

Did you apply for a SK Master Angler Certificate for your 24" Rainbow? SK has a Master Angler program. A Rainbow needs to be 22"(tail pinched ) to qualify. You can do it through the phone app. I found out about it too late to put through a few fish last year but managed to get one Brookie(18" minimum) registered. I could have had 6 Brookies in the past two winters had I known and the same in Rainbows. I have it on my phone now! If you are going to fish SK as often as you do you should have it too.

https://swf.sk.ca/master-angler-program/

[mooseknuckle]

Originally Posted by Frank_NK28

Did you apply for a SK Master Angler Certificate for your 24" Rainbow? SK has a Master Angler program. A Rainbow needs to be 22"(tail pinched ) to qualify. You can do it through the phone app. I found out about it too late to put through a few fish last year but managed to get one Brookie(18" minimum) registered. I could have had 6 Brookies in the past two winters had I known and the same in Rainbows. I have it on my phone now! If you are going to fish SK as often as you do you should have it too.

https://swf.sk.ca/master-angler-program/

Send me a message, I've got a new and improved bump board. Free of charge for you. Great post, great Fish!!

[Lunkerhunter]

I’ll play this game. Small caveat- I’ll be lunker hunting with my little fishing buddy so will be restricted to day trips and no over nighters. For now. Unlike you I would kill for a 12 inch perch I only ever found one
trolling for walleye in a fluke bycatch like you mentioned haha.

Anyways here goes. Brook trout. Biggest was the length of the scoop about 17” I think I’ll have to get a bump board but this smile and grip and grin is all the trophy I need haha

IMG_7481.jpg


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[58thecat]

Hopefully when you get back out to Cold Lake you can add some more inches to your total.

[AlbertanGP]

I don't normally fish on Sunday, but it was so darn nice out I figured I'd try to bang out the perch on my home lake and get it over with...I don't want to waste time in March chasing them. It was nice to run them down with the AquaVu and ActiveTarget and not even need a toque. I must have looked goofy though with my Apex jacket tossed over my head so I could see the Micro Revolution.

Honestly, I still don't see what the big deal is with these things...

• Burbot - 32"
• Pike - 32"
• Lake Trout -
• Other Trout - 24" Rainbow (Caught in Sask.)
• Panfish - 12.25" Perch
• Walleye - 26.75"
• Whitefish - 21"

148" with no lake trout. 180" should be a no brainer...it will start getting tough at 190" though.

[AlbertanGP]

Originally Posted by 58thecat

Hopefully when you get back out to Cold Lake you can add some more inches to your total.

I saved the best for last.

[Weavster]

some beauty fish already off to a good start!

[Twisted Canuck]

That monster perch needs to go on a wall Dean!

Good catches so far, and I agree on perch. Why?

Good luck on the laker, I hope you get one that barely fits through the hole in the ice!

[SNAPFisher]

LOL! Great update. That is a nice perch. I like how you look at them - great perspective.

That said, you will likely get some PMs about the particular fish. Likely from anglers with supposed kids or grand kids that would really like to catch a perch. Of course not wanting specific spots or "honey holes" but any information would be great...

Looking forwards to see how you do on the Laker.

[AlbertanGP]

Originally Posted by Twisted Canuck

Good luck on the laker, I hope you get one that barely fits through the hole in the ice!

It's tough with the 10" auger, but I think I have that covered.

P.S. When are we going fishing? The weather looks good for a while yet.

[Stinky Buffalo]

My oldest son caught/released this respectable burbot recently. Now he wishes he had brought a tape along!

[58thecat]

Originally Posted by Stinky Buffalo

My oldest son caught/released this respectable burbot recently. Now he wishes he had brought a tape along!

All I see is affordable poor man’s lobster.
Congrats to your son on a great catch.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[35 whelen]

Originally Posted by Stinky Buffalo

My oldest son caught/released this respectable burbot recently. Now he wishes he had brought a tape along!

There's a lot of ways to measure something without a tape your fishing rod for one

Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Tapatalk

[AlbertanGP]

Originally Posted by Stinky Buffalo

My oldest son caught/released this respectable burbot recently. Now he wishes he had brought a tape along!

Congrats to your son. They are starting to move around more now that the spawn is approaching, and we're seeing them frequently as bycatches walleye fishing. I thought I saw a couple of monster walleyes come through on the LiveScope last Friday. Finessed the smaller of the two to bite and wound up with a burbot around that size. Took some friends out the next day on my home lake and helped a fellow catch his first burbot ice fishing..also about the same size. The day was slow overall, but he was ecstatic with his burbot. My how times have changed.

[AlbertanGP]

I've been fishing within three or so hours of my cabin the past month or so, waiting for my bigger trips to start after Family Day weekend. To say the February Doldrums are a thing is an understatement...fishing has been tough. The odd nice fish comes along though...



I just realized after next weekend, I have no time left to fish for big pike until April. I'll have to figure something out for that, as there's close to a foot left on the table to upgrade my pike. I also won't have time to upgrade the whitefish, although that's not too big of a deal.

• Burbot - 32"
• Pike - 32"
• Lake Trout -
• Other Trout - 24" Rainbow (Caught in Sask.)
• Panfish - 14" Perch
• Walleye - 26.75"
• Whitefish - 21"

149.75" with no laker. I've been trying to get out to B.C. to fish Williston, but the weather has made it too unsafe. As of a couple of weeks ago, two sleds and a quad had gone through that I know of.

[tirebob]

That is a nice football right there!

[35 whelen]

Nice burbot

Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Tapatalk

[58thecat]

You can always make a run to bakers narrows for big momma lakers and pike to increase your total big time!

Or hang out here for few over 30….

I am now not sitting where the dinks are!

Big bait etc to discourage the wee ones.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[AlbertanGP]

Originally Posted by 58thecat

You can always make a run to bakers narrows for big momma lakers and pike to increase your total big time!

Or hang out here for few over 30….

I am now not sitting where the dinks are!

Big bait etc to discourage the wee ones.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I'm up your way the first weekend in March. I'll give a call a few days before I come out to see if we can maybe meet up. I was invited by some friends so I don't want to stray too far. Could always go stink up a restaurant one day after fishing as well.

[AlbertanGP]

Well, I figured I'd update this thread to show what is possible in Alberta before March rolls around. The bite has been steadily declining the past six weeks or so, but should start picking up again soon. I'll have to make adjustments to my schedule to get out for pike sometime before ice out, but I think I did ok so far.

I've been out just once so far for lakers. I'm not unhappy with this 31.5" fish, but there are much bigger fish in the lakes I have plans to fish yet this season.





It's also go time for burbot, more so the further south you go. This isn't the biggest fish I've caught so far by weight (more to come on that fish later , but it was the longest at 36" (I have to crop the bump board measurement out of some video still...too busy fishing ).

• Burbot - 36"
• Pike - 32"
• Lake Trout - 31.5"
• Other Trout - 24" Rainbow (Caught in Sask,)
• Panfish - 14" Perch
• Walleye - 26.75"
• Whitefish - 21"

My total so far...with the best fishing of the year for most species still ahead of us in March...is 185.25". I started this thread because I was annoyed at everyone moaning how bad the fishing is in Alberta during Game of Inches. They are out there. Now where's that 42" pike?

[58thecat]

Wow, very well done, perseverance pays off!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk