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Here is my fishing report from last winter on big winnie. Mind you last winter was my first time ever on this lake. One trip was in January and one was in February. These 2 trips produced 3 full days on the ice and approximately 112 man hours between myself and my fishing partners covering various locations around the lake. We kept our limit every day, but I never saw a perch over 10 inches the entire time. My question is: Is this normal? I realize that fish populations go through cycles, so were they running small last winter, or am I bad at fishing this lake?

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las6t year when I did the Ice Serries on Winnie I seen some buckets of smaller perch and a fue buckets of definate jumbos. I was one of thos that had smaller perch.

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My wife and myself were up in January and never kept a fish under 10 inches. Limits 2 day in a row. Fished the Bowens area. We mounted 2 1 13 inches and 1 14 and a half.

My son and I were on the lake for about 6 hours on our way to LOW in mid March and again never kept a fish under 10 inches had 27 or 28. It was my first year on the lake

"Your bobbers down!" smile.gif

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Mulcher, sounds like you did good but were in schools of smaller fish. Like other posts, we were up there 3-4 times last year and all perch kept were over 10 inches. Most between 10-11 but many between 11-12 too. You have to be selective and also be willing to move around a little.

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Bobber Boy-

It sounds like I need you for a fishing partner. grin.gif Thanks for all the input, I have no problem pounding this lake in search of jumbos, as long as I know that they are out there somewhere. I'm extremely pumped to get up there this winter and show those perch whose boss!

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Mad Mulcher

I know the feeling. We did have to work hard to find those Perch. There was at least a tank of auger gas a day involved. If I lived closer I would have to buy a new auger every year. My wife and I will be fishing the Ice Series out of Denny's on the 8th. Should be a great time My wife is better at catching the darn things then I am. blush.gif Good Luck! Maybe will see you on the Ice

"Your bobbers down!" laugh.gif

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  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • smurfy
      LOL its gonna be colder then a witches mammary glands the next 3 days!!!!! so he's staying indoor as much as possible!!!!!!! i'm just curious if he's "hermiting"up alone!!!!!🥰😂   looking at the webcams up there  doesnt look like that much.....and seems less on the lakes!!!! 
    • Mike89
      hermit up??   not going to ask!!!   LOL!!!  
    • Kettle
      3-6", crusty stuff in the yard. I'm working tomorrow and will hermit Thursday and Friday for sure. I might make it out Sunday evening and planing all day Monday 
    • smurfy
      Kettle,  just how much snow is on the ground up there??   Looking like some good ice making temps up there the next 3 nights . 3 consecutive nights  below 0. 2 double digits below  
    • SkunkedAgain
      Much appreciated. It may not have been the best start but hopefully the next week will start to firm things up.   I like your view.
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the South Shore...  Ice fishing has begun for some areas of the lake, while others are grooming trails and will be close behind.  The ice is progressing nicely.  There were concerns a big blow this past week might mess things up but thankfully, the ice stayed intact and is continuing to thicken.    Please remember, ice conditions can vary significantly from one area of the lake to the next.  That is why it is difficult to provide an answer to the question, "How thick is the ice?"  The thickness and condition of the ice is best told by those working each ice road every day.  With that being said, there is certainly some good news regarding ice progression.       So far, some resorts have begun by allowing snowmobiles and ATVs with collapsible fish houses to access their ice roads.     In addition, some resorts are pulling day houses out this week and they are available to rent.  It is best to check with your favorite resort for additional info.  Resorts will provide transportation to and from the front door of their heated fish houses.  Early ice provides some excellent ice fishing opportunities.   The 10 day forecast shows temps staying below freezing and hitting below zero and single digits many days.  Good news for eager ice anglers and resorts who provide ice fishing services.   Initial actual fishing reports have been very good.  Good numbers of walleyes and saugers being caught with some nice jumbo perch, eelpout and pike as well. When you decide to come up, please stay on the resort / outfitters marked trails.  They are marked for a reason and veering off of the trail could put you on ice conditions not suitable.   The satellite imagery shows Big Traverse Bay, which is the main body of the lake, locked up.   On the Rainy River...  The river is gaining ice.  Some local resorts and guides have been out checking ice conditions and fishing with some decent reports of walleyes and some sturgeon.  River ice doesn't form as quickly as there is current.  Work through a resort for safety. In addition to angling, some spearing and angling for pike is taking place in back bays off of the river.     Up at the NW Angle...   The Angle is locked up with ice.  Resorts and outfitters are continuing to check ice conditions and mark trails.  Ice fishing will be coming soon to this part of the lake as ice conditions are also progressing nicely up at the Angle.     Traditionally, most Angle resorts will get houses out and begin fishing December 26th.   Some resorts may take advantage of good ice conditions and get out earlier in the month.  Watch messaging from your favorite NW Angle resort / outfitter for specifics. Lake of the Woods Tourism Facebook / Instagram pages or other resort social media pages will keep you updated often with current ice and fishing reports.   If you haven't made reservations for ice fishing, now is a great time.  Lake of the Woods enjoys an extended ice fishing season through March 31st, with walleyes and saugers open through April 14th and pike season never closes.        
    • CigarGuy
      Skunked, we had about 4-5" on the ground, some melted with the warm weather over the weekend. But, overnight and it's still snowing, we're adding to the totals. I'd say we've got another 4+ so far. The railing was clear before it started snowing. Some wet spots out in front of me, I haven't checked the ice thickness yet. Hopefully, we're not in for another bad year with slush on the lake!
    • SkunkedAgain
      Appreciate the report. Too bad the fishing didn't reward you but 6 walleye isn't the worst you could do!   It doesn't look like we got as much snow as predicted, so hopefully the cold can really do its magic on strengthening the ice this week.
    • leech~~
      Where do you live?  I'll come out and sluice up a few birds with yea!  😉
    • gimruis
      I must be the only one hunting pheasants.   Went on Saturday for about 2 hours.  Stunning afternoon.  I got a double at the second spot.    
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