Jump to content
  • GUESTS

    If You  want access  to member only forums on FM, You will need to Sign-in or  Sign-Up now .

    This box will disappear once you are signed in as a member.

Lake Winnibigoshish Fishing Reports


Recommended Posts

I've never been to winni before. Is there a public launch? Or is it better to use a resort road? What are they charging for road fee's? I want to try the mud flats. Thanks.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yes, there is a public landing, Use a resort landing. I think they charge $10 but worth way more. I hadn't really noticed since it's around $10.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

really not mud flats on winnie

sand humps similiar to the flats on mille lacs but they are hard sand most of them

Highbanks is you best way to get out out they have roads plowed out quite aways

Link to comment
Share on other sites

lispeej,

We just got back yesterday from the south side if Winnie (Nodaks/Dennys road). Travel off road was tough, got stuck several times. Until today off road travel was possible if you had ground clearance, used the buddy system, and had good tow straps to rescue each other. Fishing was tough as well, but that's a day by thing and tomorrow could be phenomonal. After tonight's snow you will need to stay on the roads or have a snowmobile!

This was Friday:

full-711-29979-1360510286512.jpg

Like Greg said above, pay the money to use a resort road, Ask them where the bite is (they know!), get out there and fish, and have a good time. Look for perch in 15 to 20 feet of water right now, run a tip-up for pike (they are everywhere) and sort the perch.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I've been on Winnie out of Denny's Resort the last 2 days. 10-16"+ of snow on the ice now, so getting off the beaten path will require something w/ tracks. I know Highbanks has roads open as does Nodak's.

Lots of small perch and a few decent northerns mixed in.

Brian

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Fished the West side McArdle's / Beckers road the 21st-24th. Lots of people out, most fishing right beside the road. With 16 inches of snow on the lake it was pretty tough conditions to fish anyplace else without a tracked vehicle. We had a successful trip, the bite was slow but steady.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

A couple buddies fished 16 FOW. They were hook and minnow bobber fishing, although they also iced a few on gold jigs. My partner and I strictly fished jigs in 15 - 20 FOW, hole hopping and switching up lures quite a bit between buckshot rattle spoons, stop signs, and forage minnows, all tipped with whole fatheads. Various color's, green & gold, perch & gold, red glow, color didn't seem to matter. Would get a couple here a couple there as the schools moved through chasing baitfish Headed up again for the day on Saturday.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for the info. We're heading up on the 9th and I hope the landing by the river stays intact.

Had real good luck by River Bar the last 2 years.

I'll look for your report on Monday

Good Luck!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I was out Sunday, and the perch bite was insanely good. 10-12 fow, with buckshot or plain red hook and a minnow. Nonstop action for four hours. Can't wait to get out there again this weekend.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Heading up to winnie for the first time the weekend of the 9th, any suggestions on where to go out from, and tips for catching jumbos and tullies? Also crappies on cutfoot?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Went up Sunday, same general report as last weekend. Slow but steady action 15 - 20 FOW. It didn't seem like there were as many fishermen out as last week. Thankfully it was little easier getting farther off the side of the road now that the snow has a crust. But still no cross country travel without a tracked vehicle. Noticed people are spreading out a little more now since NoDak has a road connecting to the Becker / McArdles road, opens up your options a little bit more.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The Nodak road does not connect with the McArdles road out of Trappers Pass, unless you can navigate the unplowed stretch between the two. They come close, but they don't connect (unless they've been connected since I was out there on Saturday).

I drove to the end of McArdles road thinking that they DID connect, but sadly, no. I ending up talking with the owners' son for a while and punching a few holes but the action wasn't nearly as good as where I've been fishing, so I went back to my old spot. Nearly nonstop action there, and a nice limit of perch in about 90 minutes. Some sorting required, but pretty good average size.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

They are connected now. I was all by myself just off Ravens when I got invited to join a real nice bunch of guys I was near from Streator, IL. They are old friends of the Klines that always stay at NoDak's. I asked if they came out Trappers Road and was told Travis had plowed a connection. Thanks again Rob, Brian, Big Dummy & son, Uncle Doug, and a couple others I can't remember. Really appreciated the hospitality.

Plenty of fish were caught but to keep a limit you would have to keep 8 inchers and up.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Glad to hear they're connected. That will save me a bit of lugging my sled behind me next weekend!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

After all the snow last week and this weekend conditions have changed dramatically out there. Was out Beckers / McArdels road yesterday, snow is banked 3 + feet high both sides of the road. Several stretches of the road are covered with water a foot deep. Off the road you have alot of snow on top of slush and water. The perch are still there, managed enough for a meal. Be prepared if you planning on heading out.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...

My guess is that there will be fishable, open areas on opener, but that the lake will not be totally clear by then.

I'm calling May 14th.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

All things considered I am not optimistic about the ice being out by the opener. Hopeful but not overly confident! That being said I am optimistic about the spring/early summer fishing on Winnie! Last year with the early ice out the fishing was very spotty... I fished Winnie all summer. It seems as though the fish were unpredictable and inconsistent. The Jig/Shiner bite was non-existent in my view. This year I think we'll be fishing shiners shallow well into June! Late ice out is a good thing for fishing in my view. For the resort owners sake I hope for the ice out by opener. We have some great resorts on Winnie ran by great people they need this weekend! Good Luck and good fishing!!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Jigs and shiners are the ticket for sure on opener. Question is where are we going to find shiners? Doesn't it take a week or so after open water to get them into the shallows?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If not shiners big fats will work until the shiners show up. Had that problem two openers ago...good point!!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I seem to remember hearing that The River Rat had a private pond for shiners and he supplied most of the local bait shops. I thought he trapped them. This was a few years ago and was the previous owner so this may not still be the case.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think most of the spottail shiners around here come from Winnie.

That being the case, I think shiners will be impossible or very hard to come by right off the bat.

Brian

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • The title was changed to Lake Winnibigoshish Fishing Reports
  • The topic was unlocked

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.




  • Similar Content

  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the South Shore...  The focus for many this week is the ongoing deer hunting season which is a big tradition in these parts, even for avid walleye anglers.  There were some that either already harvested their deer or are more into catching fall walleyes than hunting.     Those that are fishing are taking advantage of the unseasonably warm weather and excellent walleye and sauger bite that is happening across the lake.  Cold weather is in the forecast in the upcoming days and weeks so that is also getting many excited. The best depths on the south end of LOW are 22-28 feet of water.     Vertical jigging with frozen emerald shiners is catching most of the walleyes, saugers and jumbo perch.  Depending upon where on the lake you are fishing, some slots and big trophies are in the mix as well, but most reports are talking about good numbers of eaters.    Jumbo perch are coming in good numbers this fall which will serve ice anglers well.  Watch out for an occasional pike or even lake sturgeon mixed in with the walleyes.      There are good numbers of walleyes and saugers across the south shore which is setting up nicely for early ice.   On the Rainy River...  There continues to be good numbers of shiners in the river, and consequently, there are good walleyes in the river as well.     Walleyes along with saugers, pike and some sturgeon are coming in up and down the river.  Most walleyes are being caught in 10-25 feet of water in various stretches of the river.   Jigging with live or frozen emerald shiners is the key. Some anglers are also still slow trolling crankbaits upstream to cover more ground and find fish. Both methods are producing solid results. Sturgeon fishing remains strong.  The catch-and-release sturgeon fishing is open into the spring when it changes to the "keep season" on April 24th. Up at the NW Angle...  As temps are getting colder, most are in the woods hunting and not fall fishing, however, for those who bundle up, fishing continues to be excellent.     A nice mixed bag with walleyes, saugers, perch, pike and crappies being caught. Very good muskie fishing with the colder water temps and shorter days.  Some big fish and some good numbers are being caught amongst the islands.  Both casting and trolling is getting it done.  
    • gimruis
      I hunt in the rifle zone so I don't have a need to use a shotgun to hunt deer, but I would be looking at this if there was ever a need to.   There could be state legislation introduced next summer that eliminates the shotgun zone completely.  It has bipartisan support.  Wisconsin removed theirs years ago and MN is usually later to follow.  They've tried to pass it more than once and it came up just short both times.  Probably just a matter of time.
    • Wanderer
      Oh, h e l l no! 
    • leech~~
      Screw that, here's whatch need!  😆   Power-Shok Rifled Slug 10 Gauge 766 Grain Grain Weight: 766 Shotshell Length: 3-1/2in / 89mm Muzzle Velocity: 1280
    • Wanderer
      20 ga has become a real popular deer round in the last 5 or so years.  The rifled barrels are zinging those sabot slugs with rifle like accuracy out to 100 yards easily.  Some go so far as dialing in for a 200 yard shot but really, by 150 they’re falling off pretty low.   I have a single shot Ultraslug in 20 ga that shoots really well at 100 yards.  Most everyone I know that has bought a slug gun lately has gotten the Savage 220 in 20ga.  Problem can be finding the shells you want.
    • leech~~
      My son always bugs me about getting a nice light over-under 20ga for grouse hunting.  I say Heck no, I'm getting a 3 1/2" 10ga so I can put as much lead in the air that I can!!     So, I'm keeping my 12ga.  
    • 11-87
      That’s almost exactly what I was thinking.  Have slug barrels for both   One for turkey and one for deer.      I have a 20ga mosseberg as well. (Combo came with the scope but never used.   I always liked the 12 better
    • leech~~
      Wanderer is right on the money and covered it well.  I was wondering too if you had a slug barrel for one of your guns?  If so you could make that your slug gun with a scope, and the other your turkey gun with the Red dot.  As you can afford it. 
    • Wanderer
      Kinda depends on if you want magnification or quick target acquisition.   More magnification options and better accuracy with a scope.  You get what you pay for too so get comfortable with a budget for one.  Tasco and Bushnell work but I find they lose their zero easier, have low contrast and don’t gather light well in low light conditions.  That said, I’m still using one I haven’t replaced yet.  Vortex has been the hot brand for the past several years for bang for the buck.  Good products.  Nothing beats Swarovski though.  Huge dough for those.  Burris is another decent option.   There are some specific models for shotgun/slug hunting in the economy brands and bullet drop compensation (BDC) reticles.  Based on experience I’d recommend not falling for that marketing ploy.   Red dots are usually lower magnification and easier to get on target.  Reasonably accurate but don’t do well with definition, like searching the brush for your target.  I put a HAWKE red dot on a .22 for squirrels and it’s been good.  For turkey, that’s probably the route I’d go.     If your slug shots are normally not too far and too brushy, I’d think a red dot could work there too if you’re only buying 1 scope.  You’ll be better off dimming the reticle to the lowest setting you can easily use to not over shine the target and get a finer aim point.   If you don’t have a slug barrel, you might appreciate one of those.  I had a browning with a smoothbore slug barrel that shot Brenneke 2-3/4 inch well.  The 11-87 would well fitted with a cantelever rifled barrel. 
    • 11-87
      Looking for recommendations on scope or red dot    I basically hunt turkey and whitetail, live in southern MN. So it’s all deer/ shotgun    looking to add a scope/ red dot as my eyes don’t work like they used to to with the open sights.    my gun options are 11/87 12. Browning BPS 12    not looking for the most expensive or the cheapest    pros and cons of one over the other
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.