Lake Winnipeg

Hi everyone,

I am heading up to lake Winnipeg tomorrow for the first time ever. I have been reading on some basic strategies for catching these big Winnipeg walleyes but my research can only go so far. I was wondering if anyone could give me an idea of the current situation up there on the big lake. Where are the best spots to access the lake? Is a snowmobile needed or can I get by with just using a truck? Do I need just one or two extensions? What are some baits that are working right now? What is a good depth to start fishing at that has been working for other people? Sorry for all the question but I just want to be as prepared for this trip as possible. Any info that you can provide would be great. Thanks!

sammy9000444 wrote:

Hi everyone,

I am heading up to lake Winnipeg tomorrow for the first time ever. I have been reading on some basic strategies for catching these big Winnipeg walleyes but my research can only go so far. I was wondering if anyone could give me an idea of the current situation up there on the big lake. Where are the best spots to access the lake? Is a snowmobile needed or can I get by with just using a truck? Do I need just one or two extensions? What are some baits that are working right now? What is a good depth to start fishing at that has been working for other people? Sorry for all the question but I just want to be as prepared for this trip as possible. Any info that you can provide would be great. Thanks!

1- you can access east or west side, depends on where your staying.

2-sled would be better. More time to fish, less stuck and shovelling. Temps are warm, snow is getting soft.

3- one is tight. Were moving to 20” extensions now.

4- jig/minnow, crankbait, spoons are all producing. Be versatile and ready to switch it up.

5- depth… 3 to 20 ft. The fish are in pods now. Work shallow then deep. Keep moving. Don’t waste time on dead water. The cleaner the better. If you hit chocolate milk, move on.

Weather is perfect. 20’s, getting up to 30’s, suppose to be 40’s by Wednesday.

Big derby today on west side from Warner rd. Plowed our 2 miles.

Hey Sammy, How is or was fishing ?

Is there a reccomendation for app for navigating, and contours for Lake Winnipeg?

Navionics has the lake, but it’s not accurate. Most of the depths have been made up honestly. There is AEM maps, which is a local company that actually runs lakes and maps them in actual detail and depths. Most of their mapping is LOTW area. They are amazing. They have mapped a portion on the east side of lake winnipeg, but it’s only available as a bonus if you purchase the whole catalog.

Fishing went very well for our first time on the lake. Figured we caught about 25 to 30 over 27 inches and two over 30. Great access and great weather

Sammy where did you access the lake at? We are headed up Thursday.

FYI. Prudens is a gong show. All mud.

Cameron what tends to be a good access point that has mud being less of an issue? We’re going to be up next weekend. Low to mid thirty’s guessing that might be a huge issue for us.

iffwalleyes wrote:

Cameron what tends to be a good access point that has mud being less of an issue? We’re going to be up next weekend. Low to mid thirty’s guessing that might be a huge issue for us.

Where are you staying? Prudens is good for quads/SxS, but trucks no way. If your at the casino, balsom and head south towards prudens or the mouth. Snowpack is way down on the lake now, lots of booming ice though. Don’t be sitting right on the ridges! If your staying at canalta, warner is smooth. Chalet has been closed for the remainder of the season.

Thanks for the map info. Cameron,
We are heading up saturday and staying just south of Grand Marais, what is the best access for truck getting on? We do have snowmobile and side x side to get on too.

Sully wrote:

Thanks for the map info. Cameron,
We are heading up saturday and staying just south of Grand Marais, what is the best access for truck getting on? We do have snowmobile and side x side to get on too.

Pretty sure there’s an access in grand marais, but you could drive to sunset beach, road 103 and get on the lake there. Easy access.

4 of us were up fished Friday and Saturday. Took ranger with tracks out of Warner rd. Fished 8-17 feet many different spots. We caught fish but we only managed 5 over 24” with one over 29”. Lots and lots of trucks out. Only a few spots that we ran into that we needed the tracks. All in all it was a good time just kinda slow for the big girls we went for.