lake minnewanka

[brohymn2]

hey just wondering how rough its gets on lake minnewanka in banff, i know its winter but looking forward to the summer


thanks

-k

[Albertadiver]

The wind can get howling pretty good sometimes, it's in a long east/west valley so anything coming over the mountains generally will stir things up a bit.

When I'm there, I spend most of my time under the water

But one of these days going to do a canoe trip to one of the backcountry campgrounds.

[brohymn2]

ah cool, so a 14 ft boat should handle it fine then

[Bassett]

OOO that lake.. Its great to go on isnt it?! The waves can get pretty good we have had like 12 poeple on our boat with waves coming over the side! It can get bad at times but still fun.

[thumper]

I've used a 14 ft tinny with an 8 hp Honda on that lake many, many times, and I only had to put into shore to wait out a storm once. I was usually just with my (big) dog, but 2 regular-sized guys would be the max for a 14 footer on that lake.
Just a FYI - there's poor cell phone coverage on the south shore - and none over most of the lake. The water is always very cold - play it safe there!

[brohymn2]

cool thanks alot fvor the info

[nicemustang]

Always wanted to go there in the summer, never had the chance...is the summer fishing good there?

[snot rocket]

You can get a way with a small vessel, but as previously stated, be prepared to pull up on shore for a couple hours to wait out a big blow. This lake can quickly and easily develop waves in the 5' class, if your stupid or really drunk, it can kill you. Life jacket or not, exposure in this water for any period over 15 minutes and you are in trouble.

The fishing is good, it usually takes a couple years to get the lake figured out, but once you do..........................


Parks Canada will drive you nuts trying to fish this lake, dig deep into the pockets.


Here is a picture of our best trout from this summer.

[2big4u]

We almost swamped a 17' Zodiac on that lake a week after Thanksgiving a couple of years ago, Coming in from the third lake a storm came over the mountain and kicked up 4' swells. An ugly couple of hours of bailing in the rain and cold. Don't know why I haven't been back...

[uicehole]

WOW! Nice Fish snot rocket!

[brohymn2]

what a beautiful fish, any tips for lake trout fishing, u using down riggers?

[thumper]

Tube jigs were the hot item on Minnewanka last year - in white or chartreuse. Apex and Williams and the old 5 of diamonds spoons usually work well trolled slow. Downriggers are helpful by early summer, to get down to the 40 -60 ft depths.
Just make sure you read and follow the fishing regs closely when you purchase your National Park fishing license - no lead weights (or lead jig-heads) permitted, no bait and no scented lures - not even in your tackle box.

[Roebag]

you can use lead, just no pieces smaller than 2 oz's (1.76 oz's)

Canada National Parks Act, General Fishing Regulations

When angling, it is unlawful to:

Fish without a national park fishing permit.
Fish with or possess within 100 metres of park waters the following:
natural bait and chemical attractants;
any lead tackle (sinkers, jigs, lures and flies) under 50 grams;
lures with more than 2 gang hooks;
a line capable of catching more than one fish at one time.
Fish with more than one line at a time.
Fish closed waters.
Leave a fishing line unattended.
Fish from 2 hours after sunset to one hour before sunrise.
Allow your catch to spoil or to be wasted.
Sell, trade or barter any fish caught.
Place live fish or fish eggs in any park water or transfer them between bodies of water inside (or outside) the park.
Place any food for fish in park waters.