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Lake Winona has been HOT!!!


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For all of you early risers looking for some excelent bass fishing, my friend and I have been nailing the bass on Lake Winona (in Winona of course). The bad news is that the bite typically has been lasting from about 4:30 AM to 6:00 AM. We've been casting shorelines (primarily on the small lake)with frog colored Skitter Pops and Pop-R's, and we usually catch between 10 & 20 bass with some close to 5 lbs!!! My buddy caught a 22" fish yesterday morning! Many fish in the 2-3 lb. range. So put on a pot of coffee and make the trip if you can. Once you get there the action should keep you awake.

Fish On!

Doug Martin
Winona, MN

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Thanks for the report Doug. I only get down to Winona once or twice a year, but I know it is a great lake for largemouth. My biggest is from there as well as best average. A lot of people I know won't fish it because of the weed problem, but if you can deal with that, you're in for some great largemouth fishing. Did you catch any pike of walleyes? I was down in mid May, but only caught a few crappies and largemouth.

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You know, as much as I've fished that lake this year I haven't caught a single nortern or walleye. Granted I really haven't fished for walleyes, but you usually stumble on some pike while fishing for bass. The crappie bite has been alright, with some real nice ones being taken (1lb +). Things were pretty slow in early-mid May for all species, but things have really picked up since.
The emergent weeds are all but dead this time of year, which is why skitters and pop-r's have been so effective. You can usually pull a spinner bait over the submerged weeds as well. I've won a couple of bass tournaments on Lake Winona, and I've caught the winning fish on Stanley Platinum Wedge spinners both times. Good luck!

Fish On!

Doug Martin
Winona, MN

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  • 4 weeks later...

I don't get on the lake as much as I used to because of new job, so when time permiting I've been fishing off shore and have been hooking into everything I've tried for. A 7 plus lb. bass,15 plus lb. northern,4 plus lb eye, lot of crappies and sunnies but nothing real big but fun, even a 8 plus lb. doggie all on artificial.

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  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

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