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Is Lockport DYING? (Or just a really SLOW fishing day on Manitoba's RED RIVER?)

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I feel like I need to apologize for the click-baity title but there are some truths and observations I felt like I really needed to get off my chest. While the fishing in Manitoba's Red River is still excellent it appears like it may be declining. It is one of a few easy access fishing destinations near a city of 841,000 people so obviously is has very high pressure. It is supported by one of the world's largest most fertile lakes. Does this mean the fishery will last forever? It is sustainable but with 100s of people fishing here daily and with some keeping far more than they are allowed it can be ruined. It may take a couple decades before it gets truly noticeable but once the fishery is dead it will take that same amount of time to restore it. The larger the fishery the longer it takes to deplete and to recover.
While the fishing is still decent and some would say it's just hit and miss I can't help but mention a few facts that I have observed first hand that would anger any conservation minded angler. The big three are:
*I have fished here many times over 8 years and not once have I seen any kind of conservation authority. This makes me feel the river here is not being protected.
*Every time I visit Lockport I see many dead cat fish on shore. I doubt more than a few of them are natural causes. Seeing fish wasted is a major trigger point for me.
*I have seen the "bucket brigade" in action here. There is a minimum size limit here of 14 inches and I have seen people, often in larger groups (probably families) keeping dozens of under sized sauger/walleye and whatever else is unlucky enough to take their baits. They keep everything! No officers are around to keep the poaching in check!
Enough of the negativity. Check out this great action video I made here a few years ago. This is what I remember the fishing being like here at Lockport:
• Red River Cats Summer ...
Let me know your thoughts on this fishery or of similar situations you have experienced in your home waters. Cheers and tight lines!
P.S. After uploading this video I went to the Manitoba Master Angler website to check out their record book to see if the data matches my observations. I searched Channel Cats in the Red River from August 1 to September 1 for the last four years and here are the results:
2020: 454 masters caught
2021: 392 masters caught
2022: 267 masters caught and finally
2023: 149 masters caught
I originally felt bad about sharing such a negative video but after seeing the results I feel vindicated. Lockport, Manitoba as a cat fishery... IS... DYING!
#multispeciesfishing #catfish #poaching #kayakfishing #shorefishing #icefishing #canada #lockport #manitoba

Опубликовано:

29 авг 2024

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Комментарии : 70

@JJTFishing 11 месяцев назад

There's so many Channel Cats in the Assiniboine right now. All small and medium sized.They're the future for the fishery. I could leave my house and have one on the line in 10 minutes.

@differentfins 11 месяцев назад

I fished one day in the Assiniboine last summer it was great. Lots of everything! Yeah, the average catfish was smaller but the river is healthy!

@3RiversFishingAdventures 10 месяцев назад

I've only had the opportunity to fish that area once each year for the past 15. We document everything we catch and our best one day total was 163. Catch rates and fish activity is almost always dictated by conditions and food. It's cyclical for sure. A few high water years and I bet you'll forget about this video. Catfish hate low later/low flow, especially Channel Cats.

@differentfins 10 месяцев назад

I want to forget about this video and move on for sure. I just need a couple good days of fishing here and this will be in the past.

@FishingPrairieandShieldTV 11 месяцев назад

It's far from declining but it does have its off days. The fishing in the spring is way too good to suggest that they all died or something.

@differentfins 11 месяцев назад

Maybe I'll have to try earlier in the year. I don't want this place dying off. But illegal fishing is happening and it may take years to see any damage but the longer it takes to ruin, the longer it takes to recover. I sure hope I am wrong on this one.

@PatterningNature 11 месяцев назад

"I'm doing the intro at the end because the script's changed" - LOLLL thats fishin' brother!!!! Looked like a beautiful & enjoyable day, although I know the feeling when your old fishing spots are now not what they use to be... Unfortunately all the old-timers know exactly what I'm talking about.

@differentfins 11 месяцев назад

Oh yeah. The original script was non-stop catfish... nope, try again lol. At least we caught some cool fish. It's just not what we planned.

@RaulGarciaFishingandOutdoors 11 месяцев назад

May not but the reason as many says but im sure is a big factor, i have a "good luck" that there is always a conservation officer around on the lakes i been, hopefully the numbers grow soon

@differentfins 11 месяцев назад

I like seeing conservation officers. I feel like the lakes are protected when they are around. I usually have good conversations with them too. They like to talk about fishing as much as we do.

@benklymochko6123 2 месяца назад

I were in a crappy spot. If you know a good spot you will catch catfish like crazy.

@differentfins 2 месяца назад

I've caught many catfish here before, including my PB 38". I'll give it a try another time. I was more frustrated witnessing the poaching and seeing dead cats all over the shore more than anything

@chrisdaddy4637 Месяц назад

Use fresh Goldeye and the bite will be non stop all day. Master after master

@differentfins Месяц назад

We used fresh goldeye the next day, at the end of the video we caught some of the Selkirk dock, used them on day 2. Caught nothing. It may have just been the time of year, only saw one other person catch a cat all day.

@chrisdaddy4637 Месяц назад

@@differentfins Selkirk fishing is not anywhere near as good as Lockport fishing. The bite in Lockport has been amazing for the past 3 months. They are starting to close the gates today so it might slow down a bit now

@chrisdaddy4637 Месяц назад

@@differentfins fresh Goldeye is caught within 30 minutes of using it. Taking it home and putting it in the fridge or freezing it will automatically make it useless

@differentfins Месяц назад

@@chrisdaddy4637 I saw the water levels are still very high when I drove over the Red River 2 days ago

@chrisdaddy4637 Месяц назад

@@differentfins that’s probably why they are closing the gates. I don’t think I have ever seen all gates open for this long before. Hopefully it doesn’t wreck the fishing

@cjaydustie1867 11 месяцев назад

Too many immigrants overfishing and keeping everything IMO. I catch just as well inside winnipeg than Lockport these days

@differentfins 11 месяцев назад

Upstream in the Red and also the Assinniboine has been doing better than Lockport recently.

@GuitarLessonCharts 11 месяцев назад

Cats have always washed up on shore at lockport. Back in the day there used to be a cat every 50-100 feet. I've seen a few illegal stringers of 4-6 master cats well over 34 inches poached this year,. Just putting it out there that the spot you were fishing isn't a catfishing spot, I see guys catfishing there all the time and never catch cats.

@differentfins 11 месяцев назад

That's sad hearing about the stringers of big catfish. That back eddy I was fishing in was a good cat spot, in past years I've slayed them in there. It was non-stop action. Same spot, same time of the year.

@Stripesraid 28 дней назад

It’s not dying you just have good days and bad days

@TravisInCanada1 Месяц назад

There could a number of factors to take into consideration here but I don't disagree, enforcing regulations is VERY important. Otherwise what is the point in having them (?) It is the same in the Lac Du Bonnet/Lee River area, there isn't a conservation officer to be found anywhere. I am never checked anytime or anywhere I go.

@differentfins Месяц назад

Conservation enforcement is tge main reason we pay for licenses. I would certainly like to see more COs while I am fishing. Anyone who doesn't like Conservation officers is likely guilty of something. If you obey the rules they are your friends

@garychartrand3586 11 месяцев назад

I think people are less likely to enter master anglers after catching a bunch. I’ve probably caught 200 that I haven’t entered. If you were there early June your catches would be way more. If people were killing them with any sort of regularity, the shorelines would be stacked many fish deep till July. People killing fish is not the reason it sucked this year.

@differentfins 11 месяцев назад

I am sure every year many master anglers aren't entered but every year there are more people fishing so I doubt the numbers of entries declining and poor fishing aren't related. I am not convinced the river is as healthy as it used to be. The fact that people are killing fish shouldn't be ignored just because we have a few good days of fishing. Years ago I don't remember the shorelines being littered with catfish carcasses. It can't be just the time of the year because late summer is usually a hot time for catfish. they should be eating like crazy trying to store energy before winter. I want to be wrong but I don't think I am.

@user-pu2lv1ye9s 11 месяцев назад

I often go to Lockport recently, and I often see dead catfish on both sides of the river. Unfortunately, it is obvious that people caught them and put them there deliberately to kill them. I really don’t know why they did this, and there are indeed many holding them. The big bucket took away a lot of fish that were not of the correct size. They were unruly and trash was thrown everywhere. It was very sad! Did the fish police department forget about Lockport?

@differentfins 11 месяцев назад

Yes, the trash is another bad thing here. Many people don't care. I hope the fishing here remains good for many years! Thanks for watching my friend!

@user-pu2lv1ye9s 11 месяцев назад

According to my observation, there are only a few people who do not follow the rules. Those who do not follow the rules will get the punishment they deserve sooner or later. I believe Lockport will get better! Thank you for such a great warning video!@@differentfins

@differentfins 11 месяцев назад

It always is only a few people who ruin things for everyone else. It does not take many to have an impact. @@user-pu2lv1ye9s

@user-pu2lv1ye9s 11 месяцев назад

It's true, it's a pity@@differentfins

@johndoe4034 Месяц назад

So I have a good hidden spot near the lower fort Garry area. Little opening on the bank, I usually go around 9pm at night when it gets dark and fish till 1am. Most times I go ill bring in 15 to 20 cats ranging from 5 to 20 pounds, usually 5 or 6 of them are masters if not a few more

@differentfins Месяц назад

Nice! Lockport is a fish magnet but there are sure gems along Red and Assiniboine Rivers.

@johndoe4034 Месяц назад

@differentfins you ever want to check it out I can definitely tell you the spot, would make a great video

@MsMe1020 Месяц назад

There is no minimum for walleye in manitoba , check the regs

@differentfins Месяц назад

All walleye and sauger in the Red River from USA border to Lake Winnipeg and all its tributaries less than 35 cm must be released. There is a minimum but it is water body specific. If you go to the regs and under the Southern Division you'll see some waterbodies listed and below them are specific regulations.

@reeloutdoorscanada 11 месяцев назад

Great video! Wonder when the best time to hit that Lockport would be? Around Southern Ontario on the grand river everyone says early spring.

@differentfins 11 месяцев назад

For cats? Pretty much any time from May until October. They live right there and don't go far. I've had good fishing days in every month. Although the slow days are becoming to frequent

@Stripesraid 19 дней назад

Maybe you were in fishing in the fall because the summer is the best time because they are spawnig

@differentfins 19 дней назад

This was September long weekend, so late summer. Ive fished here in this spot, same time of the year and caught 30 big cats in one day. Next time i try here Ill do it early summer and fish down stream a bit. See if I have a better day. Still caught fish, its all good.

@user-hx2md9wi2r 11 месяцев назад

2 years ago it was absolutely on fire all September, every time I went, it was minutes between bites all evening, and pretty much every cat was a master, often in the 36" range (drought year, very low water until fall). Last year was much slower in September & there were much more 32" cats (much higher water). This September seems even worse than last year. This spring however it was high water and the bites were insanely good just a bit further down river, but again lots of 32" cats. So I think the cats are still around, but there is something affecting the bite this fall & it seems the really big ones are being caught less. Is it the fact the water is becoming MUCH clearer due to Zebra Muscles? Maybe they are just not as hungry this fall? I don't know, but it is noticeably much slower the 4 or 5 times I've gone this year. The lack of regular presence by Conservation is an issue and the bucket brigade is also an issue for Sauger/Walleye & even Drum. Not sure how many large cats are being harvested, but it is happening for sure. BTW, I am the guy with the tape measurer who visited while your cousin caught the second cat.

@differentfins 11 месяцев назад

Haha hello! I am getting comments from people saying it's been awesome, others saying it's not as good. Of course this was based off my personal experience. The first time I fished in Lockport was in 2015 for two days and both days were 50+ cat days with double and even a triple header. Tony caught a 39" and I got a 38", lots over 36". 3 years ago I fished here in summer and got 8 big cats in 2 hours. 2 years ago I struggled to get 4 cats all day then here we are in 2023. I know many disagree but I notice a decline. I also don't remember seeing dead cats littering the shoreline back in the day. Last summer I fished the Assinniboine R and although the cats were a bit smaller they were nonstop action. Like I said in other comments, I want to be wrong but I am not convinced that I am (yet).

@tonymills8510 11 месяцев назад

Felt good to get one! But yeesh it felt like musky fishing 😂

@differentfins 11 месяцев назад

You got that right! 6 hours to get one catfish there! In years past it would be more like 4 cats per hour... each.

@shaneward6182 25 дней назад

That why there's no cats cause of those red tails

@DpuckFishingandOutdoors 11 месяцев назад

I really can't stand the bucket fishermen. Nothing gets me more annoyed. NJ doesn't really have anything like a conservation officer and there are plenty of small lakes that have been killed by them.

@differentfins 11 месяцев назад

The problem is it might take a year or more before the damage is noticeable. By then, it's too late. They take their buckets to the next lake and repeat. It's selfish behavior. They don't care about the future of fishing, just what they can take today.

@miketierney3640 17 дней назад

Try frogs, this time of year they are like candy to cats.

@differentfins 17 дней назад

First time we fished here were used frogs as bait. Leopard frogs. I don't have a good spot to catch them so I just grab some shrimp from the grocery store. It works too. Next time I'll fish downstream a bit and earlier in the season. This day was a miss for sure.

@travismelanson 11 месяцев назад

That’s too bad! I’d love to catch a channel cat some day.

@differentfins 11 месяцев назад

The are still in there. Just not as abundant as they used to be.

@wooooofishing 11 месяцев назад

WOOOOO MANITOBA

@differentfins 11 месяцев назад

Lol YES! Manitoba fishing is still better than Ontario fishing Wooooo!

@wooooofishing 11 месяцев назад

@@differentfins 😜 alot of different species for sure!!

@trentmcgorman4063 Месяц назад

At 9:09 you got some massive forearms

@differentfins Месяц назад

LOL. I used to be a powerlifter, still have left over muscle I guess. It's not from hauling in big fish I can tell you that haha.

@trentmcgorman4063 Месяц назад

@@differentfins your a beast dude

@rafalpe1826 11 месяцев назад

thank those who take each fish home. everyone knows who does that.

@differentfins 11 месяцев назад

Oh 100% I won't say it on here but we all know. Too bad the authorities look the other way.

@rafalpe1826 11 месяцев назад

@@differentfins When I came here 15 years ago, no one put up signs by the river saying "do not enter private property". and now they are everywhere. Why? because they leave a mess behind, they even leave dirty diapers, even though there is a garbage bin a bit away. unfortunately this mentality. like a cow, wherever I go, I will shit and leave it

@differentfins 11 месяцев назад

@@rafalpe1826 unfortunately I know exactly what you are talking about. its not 95% of us, just 5% but they are enough to ruin things for everyone.

@AnglingSpiders 11 месяцев назад

Too bad about the decline, hopefully it can recover

@differentfins 11 месяцев назад

I really hope it is just bad right now. I am getting mixed results from commenters, but if I stop seeing dead fish littering the shores, that would be a step in the right direction.

@prairiemountainmanadventur7424 11 месяцев назад

Yeah fishing still really good . Just a hit and miss time of year

@JungleBXU 2 месяца назад

Is it over fishing or something else?

@Magiitiksapasig Месяц назад

No more fish to fish……fishing is dying 😢

@differentfins Месяц назад

There is many fish but if people keep and kill too many fish unchecked the numbers will drop. It will always be a good fishing spot just not as good as it used to be.