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

On certain spots this weekend I needed the extension on the Auger. No issues once your on the lake. Plenty of ice.

Thanks High Banks for another good winter season.

G.C.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

We fished Thursday 19th-Sunday 22nd. We went out from High Banks everyday and landing was still ok for trucks when we left Sunday. We found that off road travel was best. We broke through on the far west end of the road past zoomers Friday afternoon and that almost didnt end well. We hit a spot where there was probably a foot of water under 4-5 inches of ice and I was first and broke through. I knew I wouldnt be able to back out so just put the pedal to the floor. About 75 yards into it I was down to about 3 MPH and thought I was done, but I kept churning through and picked up speed again. Couldnt bail off the road due to deep banks on both sides! Well, after about 150 yards and a near heart attack I got up and out when the road got solid again. No clue how they would have gotten me out of that road had I stopped in the middle!!

Anyways, fishing report: Thursday pretty slow, fished edges of zoomers to the north and a little on top. Friday morning we started on the west dropoff of zoomers in 22-29 feet of water and hammered them for a good 2 hours. Had to pick through but ended up with maybe 35 nice perch. Saturday same spot same time in the morning--dead. We caught a few small one with a couple decent fish mixed in. We then tried the west shore, Salami, and ended in deep water--29-30 feet south east of salami and caught a few, ended the day with 30 eaters and a few nice ones. Sunday Am really windy. Fished around zoomers and again slow. Tried stony point but only little ones. We fished alot with swedish pimples tipped with grubs or minnows. also whole minnows on a flat jig worked sometimes. We did best on the big ones with the mayfly larvae the perch were puking up. Hook em on and they didnt last long down there. One weird thing, we just hammered the stink fish. I bet we caught 50 of them over the whole trip.

All in all a great trip. Weather could have been warmer but at least the wind wasnt bad except Sunday.

Tony

Link to comment
Share on other sites

AugieAngler - Are you saying that you couldn't even drive a truck down the long winding road to even get to the lake access?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On Friday we couldn't get through the long winding road on West Winnie - it was drifted shut about 2/3 of the way in. Someone had plowed the road during the winter but stopped there. Luckily we had 4-wheelers with and those were able to ride on top of the snowdrifts.

On Sunday when we hit Winnie on our way home from Blackduck we just went out of Trappers and took the wheelers across the river mouth to the area in front of West Winnie. We talked to some people that had been able to drive their truck all the way through to the West Winnie access and actually out onto the lake on Sunday. So things had melted down quite a bit over the weekend.

I just doubt that pickups will be an option come Friday-Saturday this weekend given how tough the ice looked along the shoreline.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for the info AugieAngler! I was just hoping to drive to the lake access and then walk out from there so maybe I will be fine.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Any reports from the South end of the lake? Can a guy still get on throught the Richards Townsite access? Are trucks still a possibility, or is it all wheeler traffic now? Any help is appreciated!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Last weekend Richards was looking like it would have been 4-wheeler only. We decided to get on the lake elsewhere. Not sure if it has gotten worse or improved since Sunday though.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Sat. Apr. 4, 2009 Fished in 6 to 8 ft. by Williams Narrows on Apr. 2nd. Informed that a week before they were doing good there. We did not drive out as we had a van with 2 wheel drive and did not want to take chance of being stuck in the fresh snow. Still have 30 inchs of good ice. Landing looked very good with some slush but I would check it before going out as the snow cover could hide possible bad spots. Wound up with about 15 perch, some rock bass from deeper water. Had several nice walleye and some northern. Had driving conditions been better I would have gone to other areas looking for more perch. Fished several years back in an area north of boomers in about 18 feet. Had our limits of 100 in less then 6 hr. 3 hr. first day and about the same the next morning. That time drove on from the west side and had good ice with no snow cover. the men from Hook & Horn Club near Rhinelander, Wi.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

right out in front of the summers homes landing, to the right. you'll see all the holes.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hey Jigglestick, good day to you sir. Do you want to change your ice out prediction. I will stick with April 29th. maybe.

G.C.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

HA!!

I am so off track with that it's not even funny!

the lack of sun and the extra snow cover has given the two weeks back I thought we lost with the lack of ice thickness this year.

my new guess would be back in the average date of ice out.

we sure don't need a repeat of last year though...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

any good spots to fish during opener. some on told me first river is a good spot to go during opener on little cut foot

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I agree with ya there Dave, last year was scary. It better warm up in a hurry. You all need a HOT 2-3 weeks. Maybe try boiling some water. gringringrin

G.C.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

There are several area's of transition on Cut Foot, target the one that doesn't have 4 to 5 boats working it smile

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My mind is changing i may go out to Middle Pigeon or Round lake for opener. Had good luck out there

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think the best luck i had on the dead sea (winnie) was on a calm day in late summer. I was fishing out on the north shore on the humps. I was catching walleyes like crazy that was the best fishing on the lake in my life so far. i had 3 17 inch walleyes and 6 walleyes that were about 20-24 inches. The fastest i got one was like 5 sec after i got a walleye

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Winnie is far from a dead sea!! You must not be using the right rigs and presentation to them. Come opener, a fireball jig and minnow (shiner) work best. It has gotten so easy my 3 and 5 year old enjoy the opener with us now. We are all set up to stay at Highbanks and can't wait. Hope the ice co-operates this year and goes out sooner then it did last year!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ya well pick another name. That one has already been used. Bad choice for WINNIE.

mad :mad

G.C.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

i know its been used but that what i like to call it for fun. so there is nothing wrong with that

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I just call it dead sea for fun and i use that kind of jig and it works really good

Link to comment
Share on other sites

How is the ice looking? I just happened to think about it. Like everyone is saying, we do not need a repeat of last year. We stay at McArdles. It was wild to come out of the gap and see that huge ice cube out there!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Pro V I have a feeling a repeat of last year is a comin. It has to warm and rain fast. Any set backs and OH OH. I will remain positive.

Pike2eye, what ever cranks your turn. Go ahead, but the Winnie Gods will hold it against you.

G.C.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I just heard, another major snowstorm is brewing in the rockies and expected to hit us by friday. twelve to 20 inches of new snow are expected across much of the northland.

this should put us back another week or two eh?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I just heard, another major snowstorm is brewing in the rockies and expected to hit us by friday. twelve to 20 inches of new snow are expected across much of the northland.

this should put us back another week or two eh?

Dave are you trying to give me a heart attack?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Gary and jiggle, I guess time will tell. I hear what lambjm is saying, I really enjoy opener. I come up for 11 days and really enjoy myself. I was just thinking about last year. Even with the ice cube floating around, we still did very well last year. This is of course just my two cents.

I will keep praying for rain and warm weather. Lets hang in there guys!

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.