This seems like the proper forum to admit my addiction. I'm addicted to maps. I can spend coutless hours paging through a Rand McNally. I'll bet there are a few addicts like me who frequent this forum. I've been studying maps of Canada a lot lately. My question: What's up with Lake Winnipeg? There it is - this huge lake right in the middle Canada. It looks like it has the potential to be a great match for the 26X. (That would be in 2005. 2004 we're back in the North Channel, Ontario for a couple of weeks.) I did a little online research and read conflicting reports. Some claim it to be great sailing. Some wind surfing World Championships have been held there. I've also read that fertilizer from surrounding fields has made its way into the water creating an awful algae mess like we saw in Lake Erie 1968-1973. One description of Lake Winnipeg was that it was like sailing in green paint. Has anybody from this forum been there lately? This is a little north of where Heath and family sail, but - Heath - What do you know?
Thanks,
Dave "Jac"
What's up with Lake Winnipeg?
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Dave X2000 Jac
- Chief Steward
- Posts: 50
- Joined: Wed Jun 09, 2004 4:26 pm
- Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
Lake Winnipeg
There was a couple who chartered out their 26X on Lake Winnepeg a few years ago. I corresponded with them a couple of times to see what it was like. Of course they raved about it and made it sound like a great place to sail. Does anyone remember their names or their company? Perhaps a search on 26X charters will yield their website?
Eric Lowe
Eric Lowe
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CharlesHanson
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Mon Jun 21, 2004 2:21 pm
- Location: Minneapolis, MN and Battleship Island, BC
I've been to Lake Winnipeg (and Reindeer Lake) many times. A couple of things you might want to keep in mind if you make the trip:
1) Windy. Not a problem for the "real sailors" on this board I am sure, but keep in mind that it can also be very gusty (ps: I'm only a neophyte sailor, but have been motoring on the lake often).
2) Shallow. This is a very, very shallow lake. Combined with #1 this can create some real chop.
3) Murk. It is true that in the summer during a hot-spell you can find a lot of green-slime on the lake. This is not normally a problem, but the last several years have seen quite an algal bloom in the summer months. Remember, the Red River dumps into this lake and flows through some of the most heavily farmed areas in the US and Manitoba (lots of fertilizer).
Other than that, lake winnipeg is a lot of fun and sports a ton of wildlife viewing and big walleye fishing as well.
Should be a fun trip.
Charles
1) Windy. Not a problem for the "real sailors" on this board I am sure, but keep in mind that it can also be very gusty (ps: I'm only a neophyte sailor, but have been motoring on the lake often).
2) Shallow. This is a very, very shallow lake. Combined with #1 this can create some real chop.
3) Murk. It is true that in the summer during a hot-spell you can find a lot of green-slime on the lake. This is not normally a problem, but the last several years have seen quite an algal bloom in the summer months. Remember, the Red River dumps into this lake and flows through some of the most heavily farmed areas in the US and Manitoba (lots of fertilizer).
Other than that, lake winnipeg is a lot of fun and sports a ton of wildlife viewing and big walleye fishing as well.
Should be a fun trip.
Charles
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Lorne Colish
- Deckhand
- Posts: 48
- Joined: Sun Jan 04, 2004 2:46 pm
- Location: Ste. Anne Manitoba
I live an hour away from lake Winnipeg and I've sailed on it many times.I agree completely with the above mentioned analysis and would add the following.
1] It is huge and can be a great trip for an adventurous Eco- explorer,particularly going north thru the narrows.
2] If you stay in the south basin, you are basically harbour to harbour-no place to anchor out on the lake.
If you like the idea of coming this way,consider Lake of the Woods where I keep my boat. It is a beautiful lake that has 14000 islands and more shoreline than Lake Superior.We dock in Kenora and sail out for a few days at a time to any of hundreds of protected, wilderness anchorages. Great swimming and fishing. If you want more info on either Lake,let me know.
Going sailing tomorrow !
Lorne
1] It is huge and can be a great trip for an adventurous Eco- explorer,particularly going north thru the narrows.
2] If you stay in the south basin, you are basically harbour to harbour-no place to anchor out on the lake.
If you like the idea of coming this way,consider Lake of the Woods where I keep my boat. It is a beautiful lake that has 14000 islands and more shoreline than Lake Superior.We dock in Kenora and sail out for a few days at a time to any of hundreds of protected, wilderness anchorages. Great swimming and fishing. If you want more info on either Lake,let me know.
Going sailing tomorrow !
Lorne