Ty Sjodin and Jake Wallace share some strategies for targeting Lake Winnipeg walleyes.
Ice Fishing Lake Winnipeg Walleyes
Lake Winnipeg is located in Manitoba and is the eleventh largest freshwater lake in the world. This massive body of water is incredibly fertile and is a walleye factory.
Throughout the winter months ice anglers target the south basin of Lake Winnipeg in search of giant greenback walleyes.
The walleyes in Lake Winnipeg get their name from their emerald green colored backs which is caused from the limestone in the water.
These uniquely colored walleyes have a large forage base and grow to some large sizes. On Lake Winnipeg you have a legitimate shot of catching a walleye exceeding twelve pounds.
Locating Lake Winnipeg Walleyes
Walleyes can be found throughout all of Lake Winnipeg, but most anglers tend focus on the South basin.
The South basin of Lake Winnipeg is fairly featureless and there really isn’t anything to hold these fish in one place.
Schools of Lake Winnipeg walleyes can be found constantly roaming around chasing schools of bait.
If you can locate schools of bait the walleyes will be close.
Drill lots of holes and stay on the move continuing to try to areas. If walleyes are in your area you are fishing they typically show themselves right away.
These fish also tend to stay shallow. Throughout the winter a pile of greenbacks can be caught in less than eight feet of water.
Baits for Lake Winnipeg Walleyes
On Lake Winnipeg the walleyes get big and they prefer to eat big baits. These fish are aggressive and are constantly on the move in search of their next meal.
Here are three great options for Lake Winnipeg Greenbacks.
The Clam Peg Flutter Spoon was designed specifically for Lake Winnipeg walleyes.
Made from lightweight zinc alloy, it’s the ultimate large profile bait but is ultra-thin cut for flash and flutter in shallow water. The Clam Peg Spoon excels at attracting big fish from a large radius.
The Peg is a 5/ 16-ounce spoon and is available in eight different color options
Another great presentation on Lake Winnipeg is rattlebaits.
The rattlebait craze on Lake Winnipeg started over twenty years ago and this style of bait has probably accounted for more big fish than any other lure. One of the best rattlebaits available for Lake Winnipeg is the Rapala Rippin Rap in a size six or seven.
It’s minnow profile and hard vibrating action call in walleyes from a distance.
This bait does a great job of imitating shiners and goldeye which are a common food source for the walleyes out on Lake Winnipeg.
This bait also is available in a variety of different colors including UV options.
If you are planning a trip to Lake Winnipeg you’ll need to make sure you have a variety of rattlebaits packed and ready to go.
The last presentation tends to work the best when the fish are sluggish and in a negative mood.
A 1/4-ounce or 3/8-ounce Northland Buck Shot Coffin Spoon is a great choice for Lake Winnipeg walleyes when they refuse to eat other presentations.
With the internal brass rattle and Kicker-Tail fin the Northland Buck-Shot Coffin Spoon is deadly for walleyes. It has a great action that pulls in fish.
The purple wonderbread color really shines out on Lake Winnipeg, but this spoon is available in sixteen great color patterns.
Conclusion
Lake Winnipeg is a trophy destination and is one of the top walleye fisheries in the world. Pack a handful of baits and a couple auger batteries and you will be ready to-go.
If you haven’t had the opportunity to target Lake Winning greenbacks you have to plan a trip. This fish are aggressive and grow to some monstrous sizes.
