Ice Out on Howey Bay

Ice Out! Marg and Dave McLeod from Howey Bay Resorts & Outposts report Mother Nature is doing an excellent job of getting Red Lake ready for eager resort owners, boaters, and anglers. 

Situated at the east end of Red Lake, usually Howey Bay is pretty stubborn about giving up its wintry grip, but it is now mostly clear, with operators of fly-in outposts already beginning to move their planes out of storage and into the bay, a busy hub of flying traffic all season long. 

Early ice out can be a good thing on Red Lake for both residents and fish alike. According to Marg there’s nothing worse than waiting for the lake to clear in the third week of May; those late ice stories in the coffee shop can only be repeated so many times! With an earlier than usual ice out, owner/operators of fly-in outposts can get a jump on preseason work, making sure their cabins are ready for the first visitors of the season. An early spring also gives walleyes an opportunity to spawn before the season opener, insuring a strong class of fish for the future.

Ice out predictions in Red Lake pools usually range from April 10 to the 21^st, but locals this year are eyeing April 17 or 18 as probable hot tickets for the cash prizes. 

Photo: Dave Mcleod and Lorne Marks give nature a hand in breaking up the ice in Howey Bay. Great to be on the water again!

We Have A Winner!!

The Red Lake Publicity Board is pleased to announce the winner of our $1,000 Travel Voucher Giveaway is Peter Eklin of Homer Glen, Illinois


Congratulations Peter! We look forward to welcoming you to the Red Lake area and know you will enjoy your visit. Looking forward to sharing photographs on our Facebook and blog pages.

Spring 2012: One For The Books!

Record high temperatures have made this March in Northwest Ontario one to remember. Mike Smith of Lakeside Marina reports that on March 11th he ran his Skidoo up a snow bank and down into his truck since the bank was so high, but by March 18th the bank was gone completely!

All snowmobiling in the area has obviously come to a halt because the trails are bare, but fishing has been good, with walleyes making their way into the creeks. ATV's may be the vehicle of choice to reach them, though Mike predicts anglers will be hunting walleyes from boats for the last week of walleye season. Fishermen focusing on trout say fishing has been slow, but some are finding ling in the deep reefs where they come in to spawn.

Giselle Ryczek only needed a one pound walleye to claim the grand prize at the annual Gyro Club Fishing Derby earlier this month. She opted for the $1,000 instead of the fly-out fishing trip. Congrats Giselle!

Thank you Gary Smith for providing photographs of the Gyro Club Fishing Derby!

Let's Go Fishing!

According to Mike Smith of Lakeside Marine in Red Lake, fishing in the Red Lake area has been good to exceptional so far this year, with the longer days of March promising an uptick in the walleye action as the fish begin to find their way to creeks.


Little Trout Lake, about 20 miles south of Red Lake, has been a consistent producer, with anglers having the best luck in shallow water—30 inches of ice, 3 feet of of water! Lake trout fishing on Trout Lake has reportedly been a bit slow, but the smaller trout lakes in the Woodland Caribou Park have been producing nice eating fish in the four to five pound range. Fishermen report good results when using Vexilars, and they are finding fish suspended around 23 feet, though some stick to fishing off the bottom, no matter what the depth.


Mike reports colored jigs and minnows are the baits of choice and noted some camps in the area, such as one on Lake Vermillion, are renting out cabins for overnighters. Area anglers have been looking forward to the Mackenzie Island Gyro Fishing Derby to kick off March. Watch this blog for photos and results!

Photo Credit: Emily Bates

Cute Video of a Pine Marten in Ear Falls

This video of a Pine Marten was posted on YouTube by someone enjoying the terrific hunting outside of Ear Falls. 

Annual Dog Sled Event

Join us for our annual Dog Sled Event! The event will take place at the Friendship Center Site on Forestry Rd. Contact Lori Rolland for additional information.

Red Lake Publicity Board Travel Voucher Giveaway: Now You Can Enter Online!

Earlier this month we publicized a $1,000 Travel Voucher giveaway, with the drawing taking place on April 9, 2012. Entry forms could be filled out and submitted at our Red Lake District booth at any of the three scheduled sports shows listed in our blog post.


We are happy to announce that eligible participants will be able to participate online!


Simply fill out the online request for a map of the Red Lake District anytime before April 9, 2012 and your name will be entered into the Travel Voucher giveaway.


The winner will be able to claim their $1,000 cheque after they submit a copy of their bill from their 2012 stay at any Red Lake Publicity Board Member Camp or Business. The bill reflecting your paid 2012 vacation must be submitted by December 31, 2012.


For all  other pertinent details please click on the photo.