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Lake Winnipeg

by pigsticker , Posted to Fishing Buddy on 02/22/2011 01:20 AM | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |
pigsticker

Joined: 05/04/2005
Location: ND
Getting ready to head to Lake Winnipeg next weekend with some buddies and I was wondering if anyone has been up there yet and what the conditions on the lake were/are like. How thick is the ice, do we need snowmobiles, catch any fish, etc...?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

How bout you backwater eddy? Been up lately?


This is my BOOMSTICK!!!

Re: Lake Winnipeg
by icngrnbacks on 02/22/2011 09:14 AM | Reply #1 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |
icngrnbacks
Joined: 02/25/2009
Location: ND
I have been up there e few times. I would take sleds. Make sure you have an extension on your auger, the ice is plenty thick. Try fishing by the pressure ridges when you are in shallow water, the broken ice sheets under the water creates structure for the minnows to hide. Get out away from the crowds. I have been having luck using Lindy Darters, Chubby Darters, buckshot spoons, and regular jigs with a salted shined. Make sure you have a vexilar, marcum, or hummingbird with you. Watch for suspened fish, even in shallow water. If the walleyes come into cranks, but don't bite, have a jig with a minnow ready to toss down the hole. Be prepared to move around, if you are not marking fish, move!
Re: Lake Winnipeg
by eyecatcher on 02/22/2011 10:34 AM | Reply #2 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |
eyecatcher
Joined: 04/01/2002
Location: ND
We are heading up on the 13th of March, I know alot can change between now and then, As of now are four wheelers an option? Is the snow real deep?
Re: Lake Winnipeg
by eyecatcher on 02/22/2011 10:35 AM | Reply #3 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |
eyecatcher
Joined: 04/01/2002
Location: ND
P.S. not sure where that beer can could have came from?
Re: Lake Winnipeg
by icngrnbacks on 02/22/2011 1:04 PM | Reply #4 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |
icngrnbacks
Joined: 02/25/2009
Location: ND
Eyecatcher,

ATV's are an option. The snow has been hard packed, but by March 13th, it could get sloppy. Snow doesn't seem deep over all, but there are drifts, pressure ridges, broken ice piled up where the snow gets deep. Some access points have deep snow before you get on the lake. I have tracks on my atv, so I don't have any problems. A couple friends took out thier front differentials last year trying to pull thier frabill portables through deep wet snow at an access point.
Re: Lake Winnipeg
by 5575 on 02/22/2011 2:24 PM | Reply #5 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |
5575
Joined: 11/20/2003
Location: ND
Here's a report from last week. 16th

We hit the east side Friday and Saturday. Three of us on Friday over 50 fish landed. One master between 28.5-29", most fish were 23" + we could only scratch together 14 keepers.
Mike and I returned to the same area on Saturday and we ended up with Mike icing 31 walleye including a fat MA just under 29", and I added to our total with a modest 24 fish. Aain alot of 23"+ fish.
I think, no I know I've got Mike sold on the LIVE TARGETS, finally. Of our 110 fish in 2 days I'd say 105 were caught on LIVE TARGETS. On Saturday we were even deadsticking with them. Fish would come to them and 1 twitch and slam! and it also was always in the right area if you happen to miss one on the main rod. Minnows on the TARGETS at all times, 1 full minnow attatched head to one hook and one to the tail. I have been using TARGETS most of the winter and easily have over 120 walleye on them this year. Talking to Roger and Lee, I think I may fish them slightly different than they do, but all you have to do is work them and watch your flasher. It's not always the same presentation that works.
We were in about 22' of water from the bottem of the ice, nice clean water. The fish all had minnows in them, and alot of bait fish marked. 8 AM till noonish was the "hot" bite and then a small flurry around 4. Both MAs were caught betwwen 11-12.
I have to say that my best purchase for this season was my snowmobile, it gets you where the fish are.

sunset and Lester side this morning till lastlight with the boys managed 48 greens took are limit fish were ranging from 19- 24' only pigs were 27'' and a pig 30 1/2'' LT's and Slender spoons no bait .. deadstix lindy darters with 3 hooked minnows once fish dont commit to the LT's pop jigging the lindys were right on... all the walleyes were caught on LT's as usual .... LAKES NOT DEAD






 
Re: Lake Winnipeg
by skeeterman on 02/22/2011 4:28 PM | Reply #6 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |
skeeterman
Joined: 12/25/2001
Location: ND
I got an email from a friend in Winnipeg and he said the fishing was still slow and there is alot of pressure ridges popping up. We are thinking about going around March15 or so.
Re: Lake Winnipeg
by outdoor on 02/22/2011 4:30 PM | Reply #7 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |
outdoor
Joined: 01/24/2004
Location: ND
5575
I was going to get some LT's to go up in three weeks. What size and color worked best? THANKS.
Re: Lake Winnipeg
by Tim Sandstrom on 02/22/2011 4:32 PM | Reply #8 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |
Tim Sandstrom
Joined: 07/14/2003
Location: ND
I wonder what Live Target bait they are using?

 




 
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Re: Lake Winnipeg
by peterwhistle on 02/22/2011 5:29 PM | Reply #9 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |
peterwhistle
Joined: 01/01/2010
Location: ND
Kopper's live target lures is what Lee recommended to us last year. Basically a clackin rap or rattle trap type of lure. Couldn't find any last year before we went, but the lindy darters and buckshots still worked well for us. Pigsticker even had quite the contraption rigged up to land a nice fat greenie. Any sort of rattle it seemed was what would draw their attention. Anyone been able to find any live bait up there? All we could get last year was salted minnows.
Re: Lake Winnipeg
by outdoor on 02/22/2011 5:39 PM | Reply #10 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |
outdoor
Joined: 01/24/2004
Location: ND
I believe its the golden shiner model. A lipless rattlebait.
Re: Lake Winnipeg
by Don C on 02/22/2011 7:11 PM | Reply #11 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |
Don C
Joined: 03/13/2009
Location: ID

Re: Lake Winnipeg
by Don C on 02/22/2011 7:19 PM | Reply #12 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |
Don C
Joined: 03/13/2009
Location: ID
keep trying
Re: Lake Winnipeg
by Don C on 02/22/2011 7:29 PM | Reply #13 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |
Don C
Joined: 03/13/2009
Location: ID
Will fig it out sooner or later
Re: Lake Winnipeg
by Don C on 02/22/2011 7:41 PM | Reply #14 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |
Don C
Joined: 03/13/2009
Location: ID

Re: Lake Winnipeg
by i12fish on 02/22/2011 10:58 PM | Reply #15 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |
i12fish
Joined: 12/17/2004
Location: ND
Heading up the 8th of March and had a couple questions. First, been doing tons of research and there are a couple variations on the Live Targets. One like the picture above has the back hook on the bottom, and the other has the back hook in the back. Profiles look the same and rattles also. Before dropping 12-14 bucks a piece would like to be sure which one.. Also, what size weight are you using? I've found 1/4-1/2-3/4 etc.

Also, was wondering on the minnows. I don't think it's legal to bring any across the boarder correct? Would be nice if you can't get live bait to bring up a cooler full of frozen fatheads.

Thanks in advance!
Re: Lake Winnipeg
by pigsticker on 02/23/2011 10:51 AM | Reply #16 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |
pigsticker
Joined: 05/04/2005
Location: ND
i12fish Said:
Heading up the 8th of March and had a couple questions. First, been doing tons of research and there are a couple variations on the Live Targets. One like the picture above has the back hook on the bottom, and the other has the back hook in the back. Profiles look the same and rattles also. Before dropping 12-14 bucks a piece would like to be sure which one.. Also, what size weight are you using? I've found 1/4-1/2-3/4 etc.

Also, was wondering on the minnows. I don't think it's legal to bring any across the boarder correct? Would be nice if you can't get live bait to bring up a cooler full of frozen fatheads.

Thanks in advance!
Where are you located i12fish?

And, you are correct, no live minnows to cross the border. A great way to preserve the minnows is a trick taught to me by an avid canada angler from the states. First dump out all the water from your live minnows then dump in a can of coke or however much is necessary to cover them sufficiently. Lay the bag flat and put it into the freezer. The minnows will be easy to sort out because the coke never freezes super hard and kinda flakes away when you pull your minnow from the bag. It also helps preserve their color and they don't get mushy like that store bought preserved junk. Do this the night before you leave to achieve optimum freshness of your bait. I tried it and it works great!

I also wanted to say thanks to you guys who have been up there already and provided  some great reports and information. It's gonna help a lot for us being prepared. Thank you.


This is my BOOMSTICK!!!

Re: Lake Winnipeg
by pigsticker on 02/23/2011 10:52 AM | Reply #17 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |
pigsticker
Joined: 05/04/2005
Location: ND
Oh, and I forgot to mention there is a baitshop north of Winnipeg on the way up to the lake that handles live bait I guess. It's just expensive, but who cares when it might land you a big fat PIG!


This is my BOOMSTICK!!!

Re: Lake Winnipeg
by snow on 02/23/2011 11:15 AM | Reply #18 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |
snow
Joined: 01/29/2003
Location: MN
This contraption looks like it works just fine~
Perazzi usa
Benelli usa
hevi shot prostaff
Briley chokes
Re: Lake Winnipeg
by Buckshot157 on 02/23/2011 12:56 PM | Reply #19 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |
Buckshot157
Joined: 03/10/2003
Location: ND

I am going March 18-20 and after reading this thread, my right hand started shaking. Can you get around with a vehicle out there at all? We are hoping for either vehicle travel or four wheeler with trailer by those dates. Live targets have already been purchased, now I am looking for a good frozen bait. I may try Gulp alive minnows or the recipe listed above with coke added to the minnows. Man I am excited. Is it true that you should just put your summer time reels on your rods before you leave and that Ice Fishing reels just can't cut it?
Re: Lake Winnipeg
by pigsticker on 02/23/2011 1:31 PM | Reply #20 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |
pigsticker
Joined: 05/04/2005
Location: ND
Buckshot157 Said:

Man I am excited. Is it true that you should just put your summer time reels on your rods before you leave and that Ice Fishing reels just can't cut it?

A bunch of guys and myself last year only used ice equipment. We prefer a heavier rod (a few of us prefer the 30"-32" medium to medium heavy sticks for bigger eyes) but as far as the reels we used standard ice reels. They worked great. Keeps your rig lite for long days of jigging. So in other words, i'd say no to the summer reels, the ice ones will cut it just fine. Man, am i excited too!!!


This is my BOOMSTICK!!!

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Posted By: pigsticker
Posted On: 02/22/2011 01:20 AM
6666 Views, 66 Comments

Tags: lake, winnipeg, getting, buddies, ready, head, need, weekend, ice, anyone
More Tags: Lake Winnipeg Getting, Lake Winnipeg, Environment
Region: North Dakota

Categories: Fishing > Ice Fishing
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