Spearing on Winnie

[bassNspear]

Believe it or not, i have never speared on this lake before. Everyone that i talked to about it, has nothing but good stories about it.

What does everyone have to say about it? Where to go, good times to go. Im just looking for information about the lake. From what im told, its the place to be.

[Pikeslayer]

This weekend will be my first year on the ice over there,Ill get back to you when I find out how clear the water is and if theres any pike to stick!

[bassNspear]

that would be awesome to hear how it is going up there.

[Gopher_Man]

This will be my 11th year going up to Winnie and Spearing. We have speared many places on the lake, all usually early ice. 3rd river, williams narrows, the Mississippi Inlet, Bowens Flats, the Bars out from Nodak Resort are all places I have been. Most on the time it is clear, except on the 3rd river and sometimes on Williams narrows, those two can be cloudly. We have had some great years and sometimes really bad ones.

Pikeslayer,

Where are you going out of this weekend?

I'm hoping to be out next weekend.

Good luck

[bassNspear]

i am planning on hitting winnie in febuary. Is that a good time to be up there.

[waffleman]

This will be my 5th year for the opener on winnie. Some years small fish some years big fish, but always seem to see fish

[mnmuzzleloader]

was up to winni one year, we speared two different places. the first day we speared out of High Banks, it was mid january and they had the dark houses out in the deep water mixed with the perch houses. we were in 20 feet of water seen 15 fish that day but they came in at 40 mph and was never able to get anything there. The second day we went out of Dixon Lake they had houses on 3rd River, the road was pretty beat up by then to get in but the water was ok, the same thing you should have been here last week... I think if you take your own houses you could move around a bit, but by Feb you might have a fair amount of ice to get through!!! If sure has plenty of water to fish. I have know some guys that have gone to Red Lake and had the spearing trip of all spearing trips that might be an option as well.

[Pikeslayer]

My shack is on Little Winnie so Im not sure where Im going,Ive never really fished Big Winnie so I might just stay on Little Winnie.It depends on the ice.The only thing for sure is Im going FISHING!!!

[bassNspear]

does little winnie hold big fish just like the big lake does.

[Scott M]

Quote:

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I have know some guys that have gone to Red Lake and had the spearing trip of all spearing trips that might be an option as well.

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That sounds intriguing. You'd have to watch the slot, and water clarity would probably be an issue, but just seeing those big fish sure would be fun. I'd probably be more liable to try jigging one through the big hole.

I've had some good luck on Winnie at Bowen's. I can remember setting up, getting everything cut and lowering the decoy, then turning to shut the door and looking down and Mr. Big was already there! Lots of action that day, and in a picturesque setting like out of a Kouba print. A medium red and white daredevil was snagged color side up on a little log and a few patches of weeds were still standing.

Can't wait to go back there.

[bassNspear]

I have to get up there this year. I have been wanting to go for so many years, but i just never get there.

[efgh]

I know area you were spearing , a little further out in 10 ft. of water there is a big stump, I heard from the old spearers about it 50 years ago and thought what a bunch of baloney. About 10 years ago I happened to cut in and lone behold there was a big stump along side of the spear hole. It had plugs, daredeveils and a assortment of other hooks on it. The other 3 guys with the group came and took a look. one said I wonder what stories were told about the big one that got away when it broke my line. I speared on winnie for the past 40 + years, very seldom in this area.

[Pikeslayer]

I dont really know much about the lake or any of the lakes around there! I just started fishing the area in late june of this year when I got my lease on little Winnie. I know the water is clear and full of small pike(20"-24").What made up my mind to take the lease was when I went down to the dam to fish where it comes out of Big Winnie,I casted a green lead head with a minnow out into the river, the water was so clear I could see my lead head laying on the bottom! There are not many lakes or rivers around my house that have water that clear.Last year I just about gave up on spearing,the water was so cloudy,I couldnt see half the fish that came through the hole! I hope the water is as clear this weekend as it was this summer!

[Covey]

The past few years I've been spearing on Cut Foot/Bowens Flats, on the second week of December. We've been seeing lots of fish nothing huge. We used to fish in January out of Nodak. Some of my friends still make that trip and the past two years has been really bad. I would recommend spearing ealry on Winnie.