ICY-HOT OPENER WOWS LAKE WINNIE ANGLERS
Published on 05/14/2008
Byline: CHRIS NISKANEN, St. Paul Pioneer Press Back to Bowen's Home Page

The last ice finally disappeared from the Lake on Monday, ending weeks of speculation and general grumpiness in these parts.

Most agreed it was hard to imagine a more bizarre opening weekend in Minnesota. In addition to lingering ice on some lakes, parts of the North Country got hit with up to three inches of snow Saturday afternoon and evening. Water temperatures were in the low 40s, which typically translates into slow walleye fishing.

Yet many anglers had action that could best be described as Canada-style walleye fishing, with lots of trophy walleyes caught. Is Minnesota gaining the reputation of having one of the best trophy-walleye fisheries in the nation? It would appear that way.

On Sunday, I fished on Lake Winnibigoshish out of Bowen Lodge with my uncle. He fished alone Saturday and caught 38 walleyes. Most were over 20 inches. "I've never caught that many big fish in my life," he said. On Sunday, we boated 26 walleyes, and only two were less than 17 inches.

On Sunday evening, as most anglers packed up to go home, I slipped out into Big Cutfoot Lake, which adjoins Winnie, and started casting jigs along the shoreline. The last hour before darkness was the best trophy-walleye fishing I have ever had in Minnesota. I boated 15 walleyes that seemed to get bigger with every fish. After catching two back-to-back 25-inchers, I had to sit down and catch my breath. Finally, I anchored just 20 feet off a sandy shoreline, a spot I had never fished before. I caught four trophy walleyes on four consecutive casts. There was only one other boat on the lake.

I caught only one fish that was less than 17 inches that I could keep, but the fishing was so exciting, I hardly cared. The fact that it was the first time I had fished that part of the lake made the experience even more remarkable.

Most fishing experts say the best Minnesota walleye fishing is yet to come. Memorial Day weekend is prime time, and with late ice-out, the terrific fishing should extend far into June.

Chris Niskanen can be reached at cniskanen@pioneerpress.com