Lake Winnie Ice Fishing Report for December 28, 2011
Hello, from Big Winnie. The ice conditions are slowly getting better. We have 11-12 inches of ice on the South shore North up to Moxeys, then back west to the South end of Bena Bar. There is 11 to 13 inches up thru Moses. The West side is also at 11 to 13 inches from the River Bar up thru Sugar Bay. The North side is at 12 to 13 inches in Third River out to Stoney then 11 to 12 inches. Tamarack Bay has 12 to 15 inches out to The Point, then back to 10 to 11 inches. We're getting there, but a little more slowly than we all would like.
Perch fishing has been HOT, HOT, HOT, as of late. Tamarack perch bite has been from 6 to 14 feet of water. Main lake has fish going off the bar drops toward the basin from 18 to 30 feet. The west side has some shallow fish going from 8 to 12 feet as well.
Walleye have been caught of the bar drops toward the top. 15 to 21 feet depths have been best. Some of the North humps have been ok in the 19 to 24 foot area.
Pike fishing has been very good with decent numbers of fish. Shallow weed beds are good right now. The main lake bars are also doing well.
You can get up-to-the-minute reports at any resort on the lake.
Check in before going on the lake for safety reasons first, then where to find the best fishing.
See you on the ice!
Pat
Lake Winnie Ice Fishing Report for December 21, 2011
Big Winnie is making ice, now, but slower than earlier this month. South side has 9-1/2 to 11 inches from stumps to Moxey, then back to Bena Bar at Big Musky. West side ice is also good with reports of 9-1/2 to 12 inches up through Sugar Bar area. Tamarack Bay has ice in the 11 to 13 inch range. Third River area has 11 to 13 inches of ice, also. No snow on the lake at this time. ATV travel is at its best right now. We have a lot of ice movement because of the lack of snow and also moderate temps.
Check into the resorts closest to where you want to access and they will have up to the minute info.
Fishing has been good, also. For pike look shallow in 5 to 10 feet. Plenty are being caught in the Third River area, Mississippi area and Bowans Flats in the main lake.
Main lake bars are going "ok" for walleyes in the 14 to 23 foot range on the top portions of the drop. Shore drops also are working in the same depth range.
Perch bite has been spotty. A shallow bite has occurred in the weeds in 5 to 8 feet of water or the other way in the basin areas at the 25 to 30 foot areas.
Have a Merry Christmas!
See you on the lake!
Pat Rooney
Lake Winnie Ice Fishing Report for December 15, 2011
Hello, from Big Winnie!
We now have 8 to10 inches of ice on the main lake. Some bays have more than that. We are running ATVs at this time. We have no snow. The ice is moving around a bit, so we have several cracks. Check in with the resorts you are running out of for an up to the minute report.
Spearfishing is good, now, in the Mississippi area, Third River and also Bowens flats. Several limits of fish have been seen daily.
The walleye bite is good on the shore drops from 13 to 22 feet. The main lake bars are also producing well in the 15 to 25 foot range.
The perch bite has been a bit spotty. Deeper fish in the 30 foot range or you can fish shore line weed beds in 4 to 6 feet of water that are still green and get them.
See you on the ice!
Pat
Lake Winnie Ice Fishing Report for December 8, 2011
Hello, from Big Winnie!
We are making ice quite well as we have no snow up at Lake Winnie. The lake shorelines have 3 to 5 inches. Third river spearers are getting some fish. Little Winni has got 4 to 5 inches out to the drop off. Pike are going well there, also. Call in to a resort before you show up for up-to-the-minute reports on ice conditions. We are looking forward to a great ice fishing season.
See you on the ice!
Pat Rooney
Lake Winnie Ice Fishing Report for December 5, 2011
Hello, from Big Winnie!
We are starting freeze-up now. The lake is covered with ice. We are going to be cold for a while now without much snow, which will help build good ice. We should really start to make some very good ice over the next few weeks. Time to get your equipment ready to go. We will keep you informed on ice conditions.
Pat Rooney
Lake Winnie Fishing & Hunting Report for November 23, 2011
Hello, from Big Winnie.
We are getting ready for ice fishing. The lake has some ice forming around the lake perimeter this week. We will ice-up later than last year, it appears right now.
Deer rifle season is done here. Some very nice deer were taken in spite of the high winds here (and every where) on the opener. Several tree stand mishaps. In the wind, you have to be extra cautious when checking and climbing into your stand. Safety Harnesses are always a good idea.
Grouse hunting has been very good as has the northern flights of ducks. Grouse can still be had, but are deeper into cover a bit more.
Fishing is on hold till ice is here. We will keep you informed on the ice conditions.
Have a good Turkey Day enjoy your time with family!
Pat Rooney
Lake Winnie Fishing & Hunting Report for October 27, 2011
Hello, from Winnie!
The fishing is still going strong for those who are not out in the woods doing some hunting. Good numbers of walleye and perch have been caught on Ravens and Stoney Point with jigs and minnows in 7 to 10 feet of water. Outside of the old weed edge. Plenty of fish with good size to them as well. I expect it to only get better as we near closer to getting some ice. October and November are great walleye fishing months on Winnie and I'm surprised more people don't give it a try. It's as good, if not better, than walleye fishing in May.
Hunters are here "in force." But, there are still many places to go and not run into any one. Grouse hunting has been good west and north of Lake Winnie. Scattered pockets of grouse can be found east and south of the lake.
Ducks are here, also, smaller groups of divers are coming in regularly and its great to see the numbers of these birds buzzing through the area.
People are in the woods also setting up for deer hunting (stands, shooting lanes, etc.). Rifle season opens here the first weekend of November. We are expecting to have a very good deer hunting season in this area.
Although I am looking forward to a couple of great weekends hunting with good friends and family, I am really excited for ice fishing this year.
Pat
Lake Winnie Fishing & Hunting Report for October 5, 2011
Hello, from Big Winni!
The fall walleye bite is on now! Really on!! Walleyes are being found in the shallows in the weed lines in 4 to 7 feet of water by day with successful fishermen using jigs and minnows. By evening, walleye fisherman and finding them quickly by trolling Rapala floaters, number 11s, in perch and gold/black. Good fishing spots can be found all around the lake, and be sure to play the wind. West Ravens to Mallard has been best. Also try near the bird house area, the east side Duck pass to the Rock, then up to the Reclaim thru Highbanks. At the North end, the Dishes is good right now. They are really biting well. It's one of the best times of the year to be fishing Winnie.
Pike fishing remains good, trolling plugs in 5 to 8 feet of water out side the weed line.
Leaves are coming down good and fast now. Grouse hunting is improving every day.
Pat Rooney
Lake Winnie Fishing & Hunting Report for September 29, 2011
The Big Winnie walleye bite is really quite good on the main lake bars this week. Bena Bar, from Little Musky north thru The Bend, is very good. Walleye fishermen and women are rigging with crawlers for best action. Horseshoe and Moses are also doing well, with the fishermen using the same tactics. The shallow walleye bite in the weed edges has been getting a bit better in recent days. Ravens Point north up to Mallard, Highbanks and the Rock on the east side have been going strong with jigs and fathead minnows. Trolling shad raps in the evenings has been a walleye producer, also. Lots of good walleye opportunities right now. Be sure to stop in to the lodge for the latest walleye tips and techniques.
Perch have been very good in many shallower spots around the lake. Jigs and minnows have been the ticket.
Crappies and sunfish have moved to deeper water, but are very catchable right now. Look for the panfish in 20 to 30 feet of water.
Pike have been very active, also. Big minnows worked outside the weed lines, slow trolled with a split shot two feet up from the hook. Open bail, give it a 5-count, set the hook and then hang on. Several fish this week up to 10 lbs. have been caught. The pike fishermen and women have been very happy.
Hunters are seeing some grouse now, but we have had cooler temps. The leaves are coming down fast now, so birds will be easier to see. Duck hunters are here but not seeing the big numbers just yet. Some are reporting good hunting, others are not. Smaller lakes are the ticket it seems this week. Mallards, and some ringnecks (divers) are the most plentiful this week. Goose hunters are seeing plenty of birds, everywhere.
Cooler temps, soon, should get the deer to move. There are a few bow hunters out hoping to see them move more during the daylight hours. They should see good activity this weekend. It's a great time of the year to visit for lots of hunting and fishing opportunities.
Pat Rooney
Lake Winnie Fishing & Hunting Report for September 22, 2011
Hello, from Big Winnie!
The fall walleye bite should be kicking in soon. We are now seeing a temp cool down. The water temps are down to the sixty degree range.
The perch bite is on fire with good numbers and good sizes. The Raven Rocks, Bena Bar from the backside of Big Musky, out to the bend, and the humps are all producing good fish. Jigs and fatheads are working well.
Walleyes are spotty but are catchable in a few different ways. One day, shallow rocks is the way to go for walleyes and the next day trolling small crank baits is best. And the next day the main lake bar bite with rigs is the best for good walleye action. Seems they are a little finicky at this time. Try several methods and you will put fish in the boat.
Pike fishing is very good now with trolled cranks or bait fishing off of weed lines is working well.
We are getting into hunting season now. The grouse reports have been pretty good. Leaves are still on the trees, so seeing these grouse is a challenge for another couple of weeks. Plenty of birds are in the area, though. Bring your dog!
Waterfowl opens this weekend, also. Local Mallards are plentiful as we had a lot of water this summer. Geese are also here in solid numbers. There is plenty to do here at this time of the year.
Which way to go? Maybe chase walleyes in the morning and grouse in the afternoon.
See you on the lake ...or in the woods!
Pat Rooney
Denny’s Resort – Lake Winnibigoshish • 15017 16th Ave. NE • P.O. Box 8 • Bena, Minnesota 56626
(218) 665 - 2222