from "Discover Sylvan Lake 2004, Volume 21"
The fish population that lives in the pristine water of Sylvan Lake is alive and well.
Species of fish who make their home in Sylvan Lake include pike, perch, whitefish, burbot and walleye.
Byron Soley, a director of Sylvan Lake Fish and Game Association has been fishing in the lake for more than 60 years. He said on a good day fishermen may enjoy a bountiful catch, but on a bad day, the same fishermen may come home empty handed.
"Fishing is good -- at times," he said.
Soley said fishermen are not as likely to experience success during the day in the summer as in the winter because of the boat traffic. However, success can still be had, if you get your line in the water before or after the boaters are out.
"You have to get out there early or late at night," he said.
In the summer, the easiest fish to catch are perch, jackfish and walleye, said Sue Samson from Cast Away Sports. Walleye must be thrown back in, she cautioned, but the limit on pike (over 64 cm.) is three and the limit on perch and whitefish is five. The limit on burbot is three.
Provincial regulations require barbless hooks be used.
Smaller spoons may be used for perch, said Samson while Soley suggests using maggots.
A Len Thompson spoon, a rubber jig or smelt may be used for jackfish.
Samson said jackfish and walleye can be found in early spring near the shoreline of Marina Bay and the Sylvan Lake Marina. Later in the year they may be found near the weed beds around Honeymoon Bay.
Perch may be found around the shallow water near the land-filled pier.