MN DNR Fisheries Wrap Up Walleye Egg Harvest In Record Time

Few things in Minnesota match the spectacle of the walleye spawn.

Every spring, the MN DNR sets nets in a bottleneck of Little Cutfoot Sioux Lake to collect and fertilize eggs from the thousands of males and females making their yearly journey to their spawning beds.

The goal of this practice is to meet statewide needs for stocking fish in small lakes that otherwise would not have a self-sustaining walleye population, and the amount of eggs collected varies from year to year. In 2019, roughly 80 quarts of eggs were harvested, mixed with a fine silt to prevent the fertilized eggs from clumping together and increase their probability of hatching.

These fish have been running to spawn for over a week, with over 2000 fish reaching the DNR nets to be handled before being released in the water. Low oxygen levels in the water were a large concern for the biologists, as pockets of the suffocating water can endanger the fish.

Despite the snow, rain and cold, the strip was fast and efficient this year and it was fascinating to watch these professionals perform their duty.

Soon they will return 16 million walleye fry to the waters of Lake Winnibigoshish and Cut Foot Sioux, bolstering yet another year class in our fishery.

Fish Species: Lake Winnibigoshish & Cut Foot Sioux

Walleye

Lake Winnie and Cutfoot Sioux have long been famous for their walleye fishery. Natural reproduction is excellent and the walleye growth rate is above average. 

A great spawning run of walleyes moves from Lake Winnie into Cutfoot Sioux every fishing season. Although we think about spawning in the spring, the walleye run actually begins in the fall and peaks with their spawning just a few days after ice-out. Post spawn, the fish gradually disperse back into Lake Winnie. By summer they scatter amongst the deepwater bars and weed lines.

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Northern Pike and Muskellunge

Northern pike populations are on the rise, with abundant numbers of 5 to 10 pound fish. A few lunkers in the 10 to 15 pound range are not uncommon. 
The large cabbage beds offer endless fishing opportunity. For nearly 60 years, Lake Winnie boasted the state record Muskie that weighed 54 lbs, while measuring at 56 inches. Each year the muskie fishery gets better, with more large fish being caught. Catch and release is popular for both species and will insure the future of these magnificent game fish.

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Jumbo Perch

Fisherman Magazine rates Lake Winnie as one of the premier Minnesota perch destinations. No doubt about it, Winnibigosh is one of the Midwest's most prolific yellow perch fisheries. Recent measures on reducing bag limits were implemented to protect the jumbo perch in Winnie and Cutfoot. There is almost never a day you cannot go out and catch a meal of this delicate table fare.

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Largemouth Bass

Widely overlooked, Cutfoot Sioux and Lake Winnibigosh offer an untapped opportunity for great bass fishing. Good numbers of above average bass are found in the bulrushes, cabbage and cattails. Isolated populations exist in Lake Winnie's Tamarack Bay, Third River Flowage and Sugar Lake areas.

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Crappie, Bluegill and Sunfish

For many northern Minnesota anglers, crappies and bluegills have become a primary target while fishing on Cutfoot Sioux and these days, even on Big Winnie. Knowing the seasonal movements of panfish can really help anglers stay on fish all season long, but during spring and fall, almost everyone can locate and catch good sized sunfish and slab crappies.