Cold lake open water season 2024.

[CBintheNorth]

Originally Posted by -JR-

I agree , as soon as a fish hits 65 cm its going to get taken,just like what happened a few years ago . I would rather see that lake full of 65 and bigger fish just so a guy can go to a lake and catch nothing but big fish all day .
That would really put Cold lake on the map .
Right now we don't need the smaller size fish 55-60.
In one year ,that lake will be fished out of lakers 65-70 .
All the bigger fish 70 and up will just get netted out .

The 65-70 was chosen as studies done show that lake trout of that size in Cold Lake have had an opportunity to spawn 1-2 times.

[-JR-]

Originally Posted by CBintheNorth

The 65-70 was chosen as studies done show that lake trout of that size in Cold Lake have had an opportunity to spawn 1-2 times.

This is why they should not remove them from the lake .
Leave the breeders alone .Take the much smaller fish as they taste better as 58thecat said .
I have been fishing this lake for over 40 years . Only 10% of the fish are over 65 cm .
My normal catch on a 8 hrs trip is around 50 fish . Only 4- 5 of those fish are over 65 cm . And now they want to remove them from the lake . I heard nothing about them doing a catch survey whats in that lake . They just asked the public to vote what size they would like to bring home .

They should not even take out the fish 60 and over .
The best slot size should be 55 -60 .
This way more fish will come up every year to be harvested and at the same time the fishermen will have more fun catching bigger fish all day that they can release.

[Mad_On_Fishing]

although i completely agree with taking the smaller fish for most species, i do somewhat agree with the larger limit size requirements on cold lake and now pierce lake.

The successful release rate for larger lake trout is quite low with many anglers not knowing how to properly handle them (i see all too many people picking up 15+lb's by the gills and weighing the fish by the gills as well, not knowing how to burp the fish and i see their fish belly up 4 minutes later 100' away from where it was released.

Education is definitely key in this matter to help increase the successful release rate of these fish and ensure they live 40+ more years breeding monsters.

[mlee]

Originally Posted by -JR-

This is why they should not remove them from the lake .
Leave the breeders alone .Take the much smaller fish as they taste better as 58thecat said .
I have been fishing this lake for over 40 years . Only 10% of the fish are over 65 cm .
My normal catch on a 8 hrs trip is around 50 fish . Only 4- 5 of those fish are over 65 cm . And now they want to remove them from the lake . I heard nothing about them doing a catch survey whats in that lake . They just asked the public to vote what size they would like to bring home .

They should not even take out the fish 60 and over .
The best slot size should be 55 -60 .
This way more fish will come up every year to be harvested and at the same time the fishermen will have more fun catching bigger fish all day that they can release.

I agree the slot should be smaller .....55-60cm would be perfect. That said we have completely different results when we fish Cold lake. If we put 50 fish in the boat....30 of them are between 65-75cm.....a couple over 75 and the rest are usually high 50 to low 60. This past tournament we didn't catch a single fish smaller than 60cm and 75% of our fish were over 65cm. 65-70cm is almost always the high average of fish landed.

[-JR-]

Do you even fish that lake much .Saying "The successful release rate for larger lake trout is quite low ." That lake would be covered with dead fish . It is just the opposite . I would say the average would be 3 fish for the whole lake all day . Not 800 fish a day .
I did catch a young group of kids on the hump last year that had 5 floating fish around them and they continued jigging for fishing . Yes i gave them some words of wisdom . Would like to see a fine for this type of fishing .
Pictures of people holding 15 lb fish by gills .
I don't even thing a legal 75 cm fish is 15 lbs ,and if it is ,its NOT going back into the lake its going home for dinner. Its very easy to make a 8 lb fish look like 15 lbs when snapping a picture .

[-JR-]

Do you even fish that lake much .Saying "The successful release rate for larger lake trout is quite low ." That lake would be covered with dead fish . It is just the opposite . I would say the average would be 3 fish for the whole lake all day . Not 800 fish a day .
I did catch a young group of kids on the hump last year that had 5 floating fish around them and they continued jigging for fishing . Yes i gave them some words of wisdom . Would like to see a fine for this type of fishing .
Pictures of people holding 15 lb fish by gills .
I don't even thing a legal 75 cm fish is 15 lbs ,and if it is ,its NOT going back into the lake its going home for dinner. So its ok to hold a fish like this ,as your taking it home . Its very easy to make a 8 lb fish look like 15 lbs when snapping a picture .

[CBintheNorth]

Originally Posted by -JR-

This is why they should not remove them from the lake .
Leave the breeders alone .Take the much smaller fish as they taste better as 58thecat said .
I have been fishing this lake for over 40 years . Only 10% of the fish are over 65 cm .
My normal catch on a 8 hrs trip is around 50 fish . Only 4- 5 of those fish are over 65 cm . And now they want to remove them from the lake . I heard nothing about them doing a catch survey whats in that lake . They just asked the public to vote what size they would like to bring home .

They should not even take out the fish 60 and over .
The best slot size should be 55 -60 .
This way more fish will come up every year to be harvested and at the same time the fishermen will have more fun catching bigger fish all day that they can release.

There is a lot of anecdotal information in your post that you are trying to sell as scientific data. While I don't discount personal experience, it cannot be the only way of managing our resources.
Also, blowing off all the field research and talks with area biologists, F&W, and gov't officials is quite insulting to those that dedicated countless hours to getting the pending changes implemented.
But feel free to continue complaining about stuff that you didn't put an ounce of effort into..

[-JR-]

Sounds like you don't know how much I put into this lake over 40 years .
Most of the bio where not even born when i started fishing this lake .
And the way they came up with the size ,was by having a vote with the public what size they wanted . The only efford they had was deciding the 3 voting sizes . And thats how they said they picked it . If it was not the way why did they make use vote . Lol !
They used to do a survey years ago at the boat dock as fishermen came in .
They could of at least have done that by making people take a survey sheet sheet at the dock and filling it out on the sizes they caught and dropping them off in a box .

[CBintheNorth]

Originally Posted by -JR-

Sounds like you don't know how much I put into this lake over 40 years .
Most of the bio where not even born when i started fishing this lake .
And the way they came up with the size ,was by having a vote with the public what size they wanted . The only efford they had was deciding the 3 voting sizes . And thats how they said they picked it . If it was not the way why did they make use vote . Lol !
They used to do a survey years ago at the boat dock as fishermen came in .
They could of at least have done that by making people take a survey sheet sheet at the dock and filling it out on the sizes they caught and dropping them off in a box .

Fishing the lake and managing the resource are not the same thing.
The vote was a way to get angler's input, not to decide the slot size.
When considering the amount of pressure Cold Lake sees, allowing fish to spawn at least once before harvesting ensures that there will be future generations of fish.
If there wasn't as much pressure, the slot size could have been lowered knowing that enough fish would make it through the slot to keep the population going. Unfortunately with Cold Lake, that is not as likely and risking a total annihilation of middle-aged fish was not something anybody wanted to gamble on.
Rest assured, the data from those angler surveys that were done was used in these decisions.
A reassessment will be done within the next 5 years.

I can tell you assume everyone involved was just throwing darts at the wall, but I can assure you, you are dead wrong.

[mlee]

Originally Posted by -JR-

Sounds like you don't know how much I put into this lake over 40 years .
Most of the bio where not even born when i started fishing this lake .
And the way they came up with the size ,was by having a vote with the public what size they wanted . The only efford they had was deciding the 3 voting sizes . And thats how they said they picked it . If it was not the way why did they make use vote . Lol !
They used to do a survey years ago at the boat dock as fishermen came in .
They could of at least have done that by making people take a survey sheet sheet at the dock and filling it out on the sizes they caught and dropping them off in a box .

Lol....you're contradicting yourself. You're saying with your 40 years of experience fishing cold lake that 10% of the fish you catch are over 65cm. I've been fishing Cold lake for 20ish years and 70% of the fish I catch are over 65cm....we would struggle to catch fish under 60cm....it almost never happens. So what does that mean? It likely means we have different fishing tactics and fish different areas of the lake....and it also likely doesn't mean either of us have an accurate grasp of the actual populations by age class. Personally I'd have rather seen ZERO retention for 5 years then reasses. I've never kept a trout from cold lake even though we boat dozens of 75+cm fish every year....and I still won't ever keep one at the new slot size. I just want the fishery to flourish and hopefully start producing more high quality fish.

[-JR-]

it all depends where you fish and how you fish . The last few derbies not very many big fish where caught .

[mlee]

Originally Posted by -JR-

it all depends where you fish and how you fish . The last few derbies not very many big fish where caught .

What? This year there weren't....only a couple over 80cm. We had a 75 a 76 and a 79 in our boat. Every other year winter or summer there are several over 80 and a few over 90 it seems. The fishing was definitely a bit tougher this year at the tournament but thats fishing.
And again....we have no issues catching 70-80cm fish on a regular basis....several a day. Over 80 is a different story.....those are few and far between. We only spend about a dozen days a year on the lake too....its not like I've got thousands of hours invested. We also have no downriggers and no fancy trolling motor with spot lock....$500 worth of electronics and a toddler that is with us every time. My point is if we can get it done anyone can.

[58thecat]

All I know is I had a conversation with a biologist so I have him the floor to spiel….drive to trophy lakes are doable and I tossed in Manitoba Bakers Narrows for one located just outside of Flin Flon.
Got a distant stare and a glazed over look.
My take is close the lake or portions when spawning takes place.
Limit annually amount of tournaments, stagger them.
Smaller slot size that is on a draw system for 5 years or longer depending on found results which is by engaging anglers who frequent the lake not just a fly by biologist etc.
Work together and this is very much attainable.
I got probably 50hrs on the lake this season and caught a 34 and 33 inch laker all the rest are for the most part 20-28 inches.
Just my 2 cents.
Tight lines


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[Koleswrath]

Originally Posted by Mad_On_Fishing

although i completely agree with taking the smaller fish for most species, i do somewhat agree with the larger limit size requirements on cold lake and now pierce lake.

The successful release rate for larger lake trout is quite low with many anglers not knowing how to properly handle them (i see all too many people picking up 15+lb's by the gills and weighing the fish by the gills as well, not knowing how to burp the fish and i see their fish belly up 4 minutes later 100' away from where it was released.

Education is definitely key in this matter to help increase the successful release rate of these fish and ensure they live 40+ more years breeding monsters.

We're heading up on Sunday for a week and will hopefully be releasing a lot of lakers each day. I gotta admit that we haven't burped any fish in the past. I do ensure I'm careful handling and releasing quickly and we always support the body when we lift any fish to take pictures. I can hear them burp as we bring them in sometimes but how do you make them burp if you don't hear them and notice a big air filled belly? I'm always up for some edumucation if it will save some fish to be caught again.

[58thecat]

Originally Posted by Koleswrath

We're heading up on Sunday for a week and will hopefully be releasing a lot of lakers each day. I gotta admit that we haven't burped any fish in the past. I do ensure I'm careful handling and releasing quickly and we always support the body when we lift any fish to take pictures. I can hear them burp as we bring them in sometimes but how do you make them burp if you don't hear them and notice a big air filled belly? I'm always up for some edumucation if it will save some fish to be caught again.

First thing I do is not horse the trout from the depths to the surface rather play them allowing them as they come up to burp and release the pressure on their own.
Playing a Lake Trout gradually to the surface will help it release bubbles and avoid barotrauma. Also slow through the water columns helps reduce shock due to temp changes.
I then torpedo them head first which kinda gives them a kick start to head to the depths.
Now we occasionally get a fatty that didn't burp, in the water from the tail to the stomach lift the fish and move your hand forward to the head they sometimes burp and if not then its the time for the fish descending device. I made one but if you google them you can buy them too.

Hope this helps and good luck.

[Koleswrath]

Originally Posted by 58thecat

First thing I do is not horse the trout from the depths to the surface rather play them allowing them as they come up to burp and release the pressure on their own.
Playing a Lake Trout gradually to the surface will help it release bubbles and avoid barotrauma. Also slow through the water columns helps reduce shock due to temp changes.
I then torpedo them head first which kinda gives them a kick start to head to the depths.
Now we occasionally get a fatty that didn't burp, in the water from the tail to the stomach lift the fish and move your hand forward to the head they sometimes burp and if not then its the time for the fish descending device. I made one but if you google them you can buy them too.

Hope this helps and good luck.

Great help as always. How'd you make your descending device? I kind of like the downrigger clip idea - don't have to hook the fish again.

[fish99]

When fishing cold lake on the Saskatchewan side do you need an Saskatchewan license if an Alberta resident

[Koleswrath]

Originally Posted by fish99

When fishing cold lake on the Saskatchewan side do you need an Saskatchewan license if an Alberta resident

Nope but the Sask regs apply apparently.

taken from albertaregulations.ca

Sportfishing in Cold Lake
Sportfishing in Cold Lake requires either an Alberta Sportfishing Licence (see licence exemptions under “Requirements”), or a Saskatchewan Angling Licence. The Alberta Fishery Regulations, 1998 apply to the Alberta portion of Cold Lake; while the Saskatchewan Regulations apply to the Saskatchewan portion of Cold Lake (Saskatchewan regulations are consistent with Alberta regulations for Cold Lake).

[Koleswrath]

Also, the Sask regs (65-70cm) are not currently consistent with Ab regs (over 75cm).

This could get pretty muddy if you catch a 67cm lake trout on the Sask side and transport it back to your AB campground and meet Fish and game on your way.

[mlee]

Originally Posted by Koleswrath

Also, the Sask regs (65-70cm) are not currently consistent with Ab regs (over 75cm).

This could get pretty muddy if you catch a 67cm lake trout on the Sask side and transport it back to your AB campground and meet Fish and game on your way.

It's not muddy at all....just follow the transportation rules. I bring fish from saskatchewan back into alberta all the time.

[58thecat]

Originally Posted by Koleswrath

Great help as always. How'd you make your descending device? I kind of like the downrigger clip idea - don't have to hook the fish again.

http://www.outdoorsmenforum.ca/showt...ish+descending

[Unregistered user]

If you keep a fish within the slot on the Saskatchewan side but launch from Alberta and you are checked at the ramp by COs. I think it could get very confusing and probably expensive. I do like to follow the rules of course but she's a tad difficult this year. The first task would be proving where you caught the fish. I think I'm going to just let them go until the paper regs come out.

[Koleswrath]

Originally Posted by mlee

It's not muddy at all....just follow the transportation rules. I bring fish from saskatchewan back into alberta all the time.

From the Ab regs:
Fish caught outside of Alberta:
When traveling within Alberta and transporting fish that were taken
elsewhere, you must be able to support your claim that those fish
were caught outside of Alberta.

How do you support your claim that you caught it on the Sask side?

[Koleswrath]

Originally Posted by 58thecat

http://www.outdoorsmenforum.ca/showt...ish+descending

Nice, thanks. I'll borrow for the trip up this weekend.

[KGB]

Originally Posted by Koleswrath

From the Ab regs:
Fish caught outside of Alberta:
When traveling within Alberta and transporting fish that were taken
elsewhere, you must be able to support your claim that those fish
were caught outside of Alberta.

How do you support your claim that you caught it on the Sask side?

That should be easy- take a pic of it with your iPhone and make sure that you have location of the picture taken engaged in your setting. That way you can show the pic to the officer and he can see the gps coordinates….

[mlee]

Originally Posted by KGB

That should be easy- take a pic of it with your iPhone and make sure that you have location of the picture taken engaged in your setting. That way you can show the pic to the officer and he can see the gps coordinates….

Exactly. I've been stopped in Alberta at an inspection station with fish from saskatchewan....CO asked about the fish...asked where we were camped and asked for a license. That's it. The alberta regs will be the same as sask for cold lake when they finally come out...I possess both licenses.....you really think an Alberta CO is going to push where exactly on the lake the fish was caught? You guys worry too much.

That all said....I've never harvested a laker from cold lake and I likely never will.

[KGB]

Originally Posted by mlee

Exactly. I've been stopped in Alberta at an inspection station with fish from saskatchewan....CO asked about the fish...asked where we were camped and asked for a license. That's it. The alberta regs will be the same as sask for cold lake when they finally come out...I possess both licenses.....you really think an Alberta CO is going to push where exactly on the lake the fish was caught? You guys worry too much.

That all said....I've never harvested a laker from cold lake and I likely never will.

And why is that? What’s wrong with the fish?

[mlee]

Originally Posted by KGB

And why is that? What’s wrong with the fish?

Lake trout isn't my first choice for table fare.....especially not one that big. I don't need to keep a fish just because I can.

[58thecat]

Originally Posted by mlee

Lake trout isn't my first choice for table fare.....especially not one that big. I don't need to keep a fish just because I can.

That’s how I am too when it comes to all fishing. I like a fresh shore lunch or a take home and eat almost right away.


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[-JR-]

I have heard a lot of talk that if you have a Alberta licence you can only fish the Alberta side of Cold Lake. I know the answer . Lets here your answer .