Stories from the "Coffee Corner" is a new section where we plan to share stories from our guests, friends and folks we meet along the trail. We want to hear from you about your experience at the lake, see your favorite vactation pictures and pass on important news. We'll be looking forward to hearing from you as the 2008 season opens.
7/25/08
Only one month until the 2008 Minnesota Fishing Pros/Bowen Lodge Couples Fishing Tournament. We have a printable entry form available here. We'd like to remind you taht we're offering lodging sprcials that weekend too! Get more information about the specials by clicking here.
6/20/08
Q) Good day Jeff. "I just got finished reading your articles on the Bowen's Lodge website. They were great and offered some insights into fishing the Winnie/Cut Foot Sioux area that I haven't really tried over the years. My family and I will be up for our traditional week long vacation on Cutfoot Sioux from June 28th-July 5th. Being up there is as good as it gets!! Anywho, I was just curious as to if you would be willing to shed a little light on what the panfish pattern might be with the late spring we had. We normally catch a few nice bluegills and some crappies right at dusk, but for the most part have never found a "true" consistent pattern for the pannies on Big Cutfoot over the years. We have been fishing mainly weedstands in 6-10 feet of water. We always catch a few fish, but never seem to be on them. We are pretty standard in our approach... we usually bobber fish right in the weeds...not sure if they are cabbage or not... with leeches, waxworms, worms for the gills and a crappie minnow under a bobber in the evening with an occasional person casting with a tube jig or twister tail. If you have any tips that would be great." - Rich
A) Rich, You arrive at a time where the fish are still scattered and recovering from the spawning season. Many times during mid summer, the Crappie remain the "evening bite" pattern until mid to late August when they begin schooling in open water. To find the better locations you have to be in a different spot every evening at prime time until your luck and timing coincide. I have had relatively poor success finding them during the daytime in Cutfoot until that late August "pre-fall" bite starts up. For Bluegills, start poking around in the little holes located along the Cattails on the shoreline. They eventually do school up in the weeds on the shallow flats, but they're moving out from the shoreline to get there. Lots of folks catch good Bluegills tight to the shoreline and they do well with this until mid July when the water temps peak and the fish move deeper. Have a great trip, let me know if you have more questions. Jeff Sundin - Fishing Guide
5-2-08 What a spring - we call it the spring of "being in the eye of the storm". Moisture has missed us for about 3 years and water tables were very low. Grand Rapids would get a big rain and we would only get a sprinkle, it just missed us everytime. However this spring, in the last 3 weeks, we have had almost 40 inches of wet heavy snow! Last Saturday, April 26th, we had a blizzard that looked like January! Moisture looks like it will not be a problem this spring!
Ice is turning very black and shows signs of breaking up! It has been a concern as I thought this year we would not have the docks in by opener. Wednesday is supposed to be nice, I have a bunch of people lined up to help, and hope we can "get er done".
Big Event this weekend! Bill's cousin Jon Fritz and Julia Berglund are getting married at Bowen Lodge. People are coming from all over the country and it will be a party. Congratulations Jon & Julia!!!
Minnesota Fishing Opener is just a week away and it looks like you will not need your ice auger - good luck fishing!
3-15-08 We had great news this weekend when we learned that the Walleye catch rate on Lake Winnie was up in 2007. That's good news for folks who like to fish and it shows that the slot limits and voluntary conservation efforts are paying off! It looks like the lake is in good shape and we're set for a good season in 2008.
3-12-08 This week at Bowen Lodge we're finally seeing the first signs of the spring meltdown. Even though there are still lots of folks Ice Fishing out on Lake Winnie, there are only eight weeks until the Walleye Fishing Opener and we're excited to be getting the cabins and grounds ready for another season. The reservation book is filling up fast so inquire now for the best dates.
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