Lake Winnie and Cutfoot Sioux Fishing Report July 8, 2020

Lake Winnie: Too Hot To Handle?

Hot, sunny weather and calm winds have allowed surface water temperatures to sky rocket on both Cutfoot and Winnibigoshish. It doesn’t matter where we go on either lake, 80 degrees is the current minimum temperature and we’ve see a few readings pushing the 85 degree mark.

Generally speaking, fish are active but typical of the post zebra mussel era, clear water conditions do not favor anglers who target walleye during the daytime. For die-hard walleye anglers, fishing during the early morning and late evening is the secret to consistency.

If you hang around the fish cleaning shack, you might over hear anglers talking about searching for fish on mid-lake structures like bars and humps. The consensus among many is that the fish have been slow to move away from the largest, shoreline connected bars and that many of the smaller humps have few, if any fish on them. So take a look at a few of your favorite small humps if you like, but we think the best strategy for walleye anglers is to focus on the lakes largest structures.

On Winnie, finding good stretches of healthy vegetation in open areas of the main lake has been a challenge. But in the outer-extremes of the lake, healthy stands of cabbage can be located and they are holding a mixture of assorted fish. Third River Flowage, Sugar Lake, Tamarack Bay are good areas to explore.

Finding healthy vegetation to fish will be much easier in Cutfoot, shallow flats have produced dense patches of coontail, cabbage, flat stemmed pondweed and northern milfoil. During early morning, baitfish can be seen on the surface, holding over the tops of the dense greenery. Cruise the lake and observe the surface activity, this will reveal dozens of ideas about where to target fish of all species. Make note of areas with high densities of baitfish, and mark spots where you see panfish splashing or milling on the surface.

Overall, trolling presentations are probably the best way to search for fish. Spinners tipped with fatheads, night crawlers or leeches are a mainstay. Use spinners that have #3 or #4 size Indiana or Colorado blades and single 2/0 Aberdeen hooks, the longer single hook rig allows for both better hook sets and easier hook removal. Blade colors preferred by many of our guests are hammered copper, hammered gold, pink-gold, and chartreuse-gold and perch patterns.

In the weeds, use bullet sinkers ranging between 1/16 and 1/8 ounce and outside of the weedline, use heavier weights. The bullet sinkers are good to about 15 feet, but if you locate fish deeper than that, switch to bottom bouncers for more precise control. When using bottom bouncers, 1 ounce of weight for every 10 feet of water is a good rule of thumb. For example, fishing at a depth of 15 feet would call for a 1-1/2 ounce bouncer, in 20 feet of water, 2 ounces and in 25 feet of water, a 2-1/2 ounce weight would be best.

At times, the spinners will reveal the location of fish tightly grouped in a small patch of weeds. In these instances, it may be more efficient to abandon trolling in favor of fan-casting jigs tipped with plastic tails. There are so many tails that work, but we really like “Ripple Shads”, “Twister Tails” and “Beetle Spins”. All of these action type jigging baits can be used to probe deep into the vegetation and root out fish. Tipping jigs with live bait is not necessary and in many cases, counterproductive.

The same rule could apply to walleyes found in deeper water, holding on small spots. Set the spinners to the side and fish with Lindy Rigs tipped with live leeches or healthy night crawlers. Use a worm blower to help float the crawlers and small, carrot floats to help suspend the leeches higher above bottom.

There are some folks fishing at night these days and crankbaits have been effective. Focus on shoreline breaks, rock bars and shallow humps; key depths range between 10 and 16 feet. Experiment with crankbaits that run in this depth range and chances are you’ll find a couple that will work.

We think that with continued warm weather, the early morning and late evening periods will provide the best chance for action. But when the skies turn grey and there are whitecaps on the lake, daytime anglers can get in on the fun too.

Fishing Report June 23, 2020: Classic Mid-Summer Patterns Return To Lake Winnie

Walleye anglers who love to fish mid-summer, mid-lake patterns on Lake Winnie have renewed enthusiasm today. A much anticipated period of calmer, warmer weather, which will allow easier access to mid-lake fishing structure is in the forecast for this week.

Surface water temperatures have been receding, now in the mid-to-upper-60s. It happened so slowly that we barely noticed, but the lake’s water temperature went from being slightly ahead of schedule early this month, to now being lower than average, for this time of summer.

Insect hatches have not been heavy so far, but as water temperatures rise, they should intensify. Mid-lake structure adjacent to soft bottom areas will continue to attract and hold walleyes until the bug hatches eventually run their course.

Mid-Lake Bars and Humps on Lake Winnie. Photo courtesy FishRapper.com

We’ve been comparing notes with some of the top pros and the consensus among them is that walleye activity is best when you locate fish on the shallowest portions of these bars and humps. A school of fish located in 21 feet of water is far more likely to be active than another school found in 29 feet of water. That doesn’t mean that you couldn’t catch some fish from the deeper schools, but your odds will definitely go up when you focus on shallower fish.

Watch your electronics for clouds of emerging larvae and pay special attention to gaps, or clear spaces; that’s a great indicator for where you’ll find feeding walleyes.

With so many structures located in the mid lake basin, there’s virtually no way that any one angler can fish them all. Some folks fall into the trap of going to their “favorite spots” and fishing on faith, even if they’re not sure that there are good numbers of fish in the area. You could do it that way and sometimes you’d get lucky, but many times this practice turns out to be a real time waster.

Some of the better guides on the lake move from structure to structure, searching for spots that have the right ingredients. Fish located shallower on structure provide an advantage, and so do fish that are suspended slightly higher above the bottom. Moving fish are feeding fish; those hugging super tight to the bottom are less likely to strike your lures than the ones that are up and moving.

Spending a couple of hours travelling from spot to spot before you wet a line might feel like you’re wasting time, but the reward for finding the right school of fish at the right time will be well worth the effort.

Once located, Lindy Rigs tipped with leeches or night crawlers have been the most effective presentation recently. But some folks who have tried “power corking” reported some success as well.

Perch fishing has been “hit and miss” recently; we’ve heard numerous reports about big schools of smaller fish, but larger perch have been elusive. We think insect hatches have drawn many of the nicer fish into deep, soft bottom areas. Once insect hatches have run their course, perch will turn their attention back to feeding on minnows and crawfish. When they do, we’ll start hearing better reports from perch anglers again.

Panfish are gathering in greater numbers in weed patches and we’re seeing more anglers turn to these as an alternative to walleye fishing.

Key areas are cabbage patches located along the breakline in water depths of 6 to 8 feet. The best action occurs in areas where patches of weeds are slightly more open; this is why cabbage patches are important. Dense mats of heavy vegetation provide little room for fish to ambush prey and seldom produce the best panfish action.

Once located, tight lining with a 1/8 ounce jig tipped with live bait will produce sunfish, perch and rock bass. Crappie fishermen are better off casting small jigs tipped with action tails into pockets and holes along the weed edges.

Consistent Lake Winnie Walleye Pike and Perch Action Report June 12, 2020

The fishing action on both Cutfoot and Winnie has been consistent. There aren’t many who return to the docks without reporting good, mixed bag catches of walleye, pike and perch. There have been some good catches of crappie and panfish as well.

Walleye in the 15 to 17 inch range continue to be at a premium, but since fish have begun migrating toward the mid-lake bars on the big lake, we’ve had numerous reports of large walleye being caught. Many folks are catching and have opted to harvest fish over the protected 18 to 23 inch protected slot size.

We don’t discourage harvest of these larger fish, but do feel obliged to remind our guests about an important detail that is often overlooked. Our friendly reminder is that the legal possession limit for walleye over 23 inches is 1 fish. It is not okay to harvest another “over” until after you have consumed any other one that was preciously in your possession.

Reports about catching good numbers of small walleyes from the 2018 year class have been too numerous to mention. Most of these fish remain too small to interest our guests, but the growth rate in Winnie and Cutfoot is incredible and these fish are growing fast.

One of the area guides was fishing Cutfoot last week and reported catching several fish in the 13 to 13-1/2 inch range, along with one fish that crossed the 14 inch line of his ruler. These were a little larger than the fish he’d been catching on the big lake; those fish have been ranging between 11 and 13 inches. Given Winnie’s super-charged growth rate, these fish will be of interest to anglers in the 2021 season.

Presentations for walleye vary by location and depth. Guests who prefer to pursue mixed bags are sticking with shoreline breaks in water depths of 10 to 14 feet, using jig and minnow combinations. There are plenty of walleye along with bonus pike and perch, all 3 species will grab the jigs and minnows. Use 1/8 ounce sizes for starters, move up to ¼ ounce on windy days or when the fish are holding along the deeper portions of the breakline.

Walleye purists have gotten serious about Lindy Rigs tipped with live leeches and night crawlers. These have been the standard for many who fish the bars and humps on Winnie. Long, 6 to 10 foot leaders are helpful; rig them with light weight #6 hooks and use only the liveliest leeches for maximum floating power. When using night crawlers, use a worm blower to inject a small bubble of air into the worm, this will help float the worm higher into the strike-zone.

Key depths on mid-lake structures vary with weather conditions. Clouds and wind encourage fish to move up into the 16 to 20 foot range. Clear skies and calm seas can send them deeper, 24 to 28 feet has been a common holding depth.

Perch are moving deeper too, feeding on emerging insect hatches that occur in soft bottom areas adjacent to mid-lake structure. Jig and minnow, Lindy Rigs and minnows and spinners behind bottom bouncers are all good ways to attract them. Follow the deep breaklines at 26 to 30 feet to encounter schools of feeding fish.

Pike are wherever we find them these days. Obviously, cabbage weeds are good, but there are lots of these fish using rock structures and deep breaklines too. Folks who are interested in harvesting some pike for dinner should not have much trouble finding them.

The stormy, breezy weather has been hard on crappie and panfish anglers. We believe that crappies have moved off of any spawning beds that they previously occupied. Sunfish may or may not be on beds right now, there have been reports of them being caught in the deeper cabbage weeds along with crappies.

One good way to find out is by casting small spinner jigs, like a Beetle Spin into the gaps and pockets in the vegetation. Use 1/16 to 1/8 ounce lures and fish them using a swim-drop-swim-drop retrieve. When you see a nice hole in the cabbage, let the lure fall into it and watch your line, if you see a “tick”, set the hook.

We haven’t heard much about bass or musky yet, but as the water warms, some of our guests will begin to pursue them. Check back for updates next week.

We all know how crazy the situation has been this season, so it won’t surprise you to learn that we’ve had a few cancellations. So there may be an opening for an UN-planned vacation this summer. If your family feels like getting out of the house, but don’t have a vacation already on your calendar, give us a call. Maybe this is the summer that we should get to know each other.

Crappies and panfish fast entering "post spawn" phase of summer.

Two old fishermen’s saws that almost always turn out to be true are these.

When the Lilacs are in bloom, crappies are in the peak of their spawning season. Whenever there’s a dragonfly hatch, sunfish find their way to the shallows and begin fanning their spawning beds. Those proverbs are obviously true because panfish action has really taken off over these past few days.

As you can see by the photo, this male crappie is wearing his Sunday best, his black spawning outfit. You can see too by the wear and tear on his tail fin that he’s been working hard, fanning the silt out of a depression in the soft, marl bottom.

Female fish do not change color during the spawning season, they retain their normal, silvery color all year long. Knowing this makes it simple for anglers to practice selective harvest. Simply hold on to the darker male fish for your fish fry, and set the females free to finish their business in the shallow water.

Ordinarily, we’d give some advice about locating ideal spawning habitat, but by the time you arrive at Bowen Lodge to check it out, the spawn will probably be over. We believe that because over the weekend, crappies were already being caught in post spawn locations like cabbage weeds, shallow rocks and in the evening, cruising along the edges of shoreline breaks.

If trends follow those of most typical seasons, then locating cabbage weeds is going to be the most reliable location. Cabbage is widespread and can be found in numerous locations in Cutfoot, Tamarack Bay of Winnie, Third River Flowage and Sugar Lake. Key depths are 7 to 10 feet, occasionally a little deeper.

Best presentations for fish found in cabbage weeds include action type jigs. They could be tipped with plastic twirl tails or have safety pin style spinners like a Beetle Spin or a Lindy Spinner. Even trolling traditional live bait spinners like the Little Joe will work, but these should be utilized when the fish are most active along the weedlines.

Exploring for and fishing the cabbage beds for crappie is fun enough, but what makes this really fun is that those weeds are full of surprises.  Sneaking along the weed edges, casting a small jig into the pockets could easily lead to an excellent mixed bag catch. Besides crappie, there will be walleye, perch, northern pike and even the odd largemouth bass inhabiting those weed patches.

Anglers who want to specialize in walleye fishing can do it. The main bars on the big lake are loading up with fish headed into “summer locations”. Insect hatches are beginning to emerge and as they become more widespread, walleye populations on mid-lake structures will grow.

Jig and minnow is still the preferred presentation, even on deeper bars. But Lindy Rigging with live bait is effective as well; leeches and night crawlers have been productive for some folks on Winnie. Key depths are 18 to 24 feet, so for jigging, ¼ ounce jigs will do the trick. For Lindy rigging, 3/8 ounce weights are standard; some folks prefer heavier weights ranging from ½ to ¾ ounces. As long as you can easily maintain occasional contact with the bottom, you’ll be in good shape.

By now you’ve heard that folks aren’t catching a lot of keeper walleye and it’s true. Many fish are in the protected 18-23 inch slot size and many more are in the 11 inch range, still too small to be suitable for the creel. But while you’re catching and releasing walleye, you will encounter schools of perch that have reached keeper size. Most folks who want a meal of fish are utilizing perch for that purpose.

Don’t forget about northern pike either, they are active right now too and provide both action and protein. You’re liable to catch plenty of them on your jig and minnow combos while pursuing walleye. But for folks who only want to pursue pike, they can be caught on a wide variety of presentations. Spinnerbaits, plastic swim baits and slip floats with large minnows are 3 of the most reliable.  

The week ahead looks promising, warm stable weather should be the backdrop for a fantastic week of fishing. Be sure to look us up if you’re in the area, we’d love to show you around.

Lake Winnie Walleye, Perch Report May 21, 2020

In the ebb and flow of the natural world, fish and wildlife populations fluctuate. There aren’t many places where the fishing, hunting or even berry picking is always good; populations rise and fall in response to changes in weather and habitat.

We, along with our guests have watched Lake Winnie’s response to changing conditions and can’t help but to be amazed at the resiliency of this body of water. Despite changing conditions, she keeps kicking out impressive year classes of fish. The big year classes don’t always come at the precise time we want them to, but they do come and we’re watching one massive year class mature right now.

The walleye year class of 2018 is among the best ever for Winnibigoshish. Not only were there huge numbers of fish hatched, but they had both good survival and great growth rates during their first year. We’re seeing anecdotal evidence that they must have also had a great survival rate over this past winter because anglers are catching them left and right this spring.

The ‘18s aren’t ready for the creel yet, at an average length of around 11-12 inches, they’ll for sure be eaters by next spring. Some of the really fast growers may even reach an acceptable size later this fall; we’ll keep you posted about that as the season progresses.

On the lake, the wind calmed down and allowed the sunshine to work its magic this Wednesday. Surface water temperatures jumped up for a time, briefly exceeding 60 degrees but dropped back into the 56 degree range once an afternoon breeze churned up the water.

Some of the local guides have been on the lake this week and report that Walleye anglers are catching good numbers of fish at both ends of the size spectrum. There are a lot of fish in the 20 to 22 inch range and a lot of the small, 2018 class fish being caught as well. Fish in the middle sizes are at a premium for now, but do occasionally strike and there are some keepers available.

It’s amazing though how Mother Nature provides alternatives. While we wait for the gap in in “keeper” size walleyes to narrow, perch of both good size and good numbers provide plenty of table fare. The massive populations of perch that we’ve observed in recent years have matured. Many fish now exceed 10 inches and there 11, 12 and even 13 inch perch in the mix as well.

Most anglers take advantage of opportunity when they come across perch during their pursuit of walleye. But for folks who want to gather a fish dinner, they can be targeted with great success.

Finding the fish has not been difficult; the best structures are soft bottom flats adjacent to the lakes large bars. There are some hatches of small insects going on out there and the large, spawned out females have gathered for the feast. Shoreline related bars appear to be better than mid-lake structure, at least for now. Watch your electronics as you follow the edges in water depths of 14 to 20 feet; you will find them.

Under most circumstances, 1/8 to ¼ ounce jigs tipped with fatheads is a reliable presentation. If you encounter finicky perch, here’s a trick for triggering them to strike. A Lindy Rig, trimmed short, to about 36 inches and tipped with a lively minnow, like a rainbow chub will elicit strikes from neutral fish.

We typically use a ¼ ounce sinker, but additional weight could be added in deeper water or under windy conditions. Troll or drift along the breakline slowly, best speeds are from .4 to .6 MPH. Let the minnow do the work, you don’t need to impart any action, and just keep the bait in the strike zone and you’re set.

Panfish haven’t become active yet, but they could be soon. Water temperatures will likely rise over the next few days and that will encourage crappies to begin roaming into spawning territory. During this time frame, crappies in Cutfoot almost always stage a feeding run during twilight. You have to be prepared for the moment, position your boat along the weed edges in the early evening. Crappies typically begin to move just before sunset and are active for an hour, maybe less.

Most folks rig small jigs below a slip bobber and tip it with a crappie minnow. But casting small jigs tipped with artificial tails can also be effective.