Top 5 Lake Winnipeg Baits
Lake Winnipeg is Canada’s sixth-largest freshwater lake and is the eleventh-largest freshwater lake on Earth. The lake is home to a variety of fish species, including perch, northern pike, whitefish, and lots of trophy walleyes. The walleyes, commonly referred to as greenback due to the unique color, reach monstrous sizes due to the massive amounts of forage.
Lake Winnipeg is one of the top, if not the best the best, trophy walleye fisheries in North America. Walleye populations in Lake Winnipeg have been well-managed over the years, contributing to a healthy and thriving population of trophy caliber fish.
Location and Ice Fishing Spots on Lake Winnipeg
Lake Winnipeg is divided into several regions but most of the larger fish caught in the Lake are caught in the South Basin. This area features various depths, from shallow flats to deeper drop-offs and is feed by the Red River.
The walleyes on Lake Winnipeg can be caught relatively shallow. Most anglers target walleyes between three and twenty feet of water.
One unique thing about the walleyes on Lake Winnipeg is that they prefer larger baits. Ice anglers often have their best days using lures that were designed for open water fishing. Due to this any ice anglers planning a trip to Lake Winnipeg need to pack a few extra baits along with the normal ice fishing tackle. The following are the top five Lake Winnipeg baits that you need to bring along on your next trip.
Rattlebaits
If you are planning a trip to Lake Winnipeg you absolutely have to pack a number of rattlebaits. This type of lure style has become increasingly popular over the past decade. One of the best part about rattlebaits is that no livebait is needed. In fact, the lure will have better action and catch more fish when livebait isn’t used. The following two rattlebaits are two of the best Lake Winnipeg baits out there.
Northland Fishing Tackle Rippin’ Shad
The Northland Rippin’ Shad is one of the most effective rattlebaits on Lake Winnipeg. Its flat head produces a tight-wiggling action when jigged aggressively and this bait produces a ton of noise. It pays to experiment with straight and rip-fall cadences when jigging the Rippin’ Shad. This bait is available in three different sizes and a variety of great fish-catching colors. Due to the aggressive nature of Lake Winnipeg walleyes the largest size Rippin’ Shad tends to preform the best.
Clam Psycho Shad
The Clam Psycho Shad is another dynamite rattlebait on Lake Winnipeg. This bait has a one of a kind action that rattles and shakes in the upward motion, then as the bait free falls it has a subtle dying minnow action. This combination is simply irresistible to big walleyes. It’s available in three different sizes, but the 1/4-ounce is really the perfect size for Lake Winnipeg walleyes. The Psycho Shad is available in eighteen different colors, giving anglers plenty of choices to choose from.
Spoons
When horizontal presentations like rattlebaits won’t work, make the switch and use a spoon that offers a vertical presentation. Often times switching from a horizontal presentation to a vertical bait can make all the difference. The following two spoons are proven fish catchers on Lake Winnipeg.
Clam Peg Flutter Spoon
The Clam Peg Flutter Spoon is named for its namesake Lake Winnipeg, home of the world-famous greenback walleye. Made from lightweight zinc alloy, it’s the ultimate large profile bait, but is ultra-thin cut for flash and flutter in skinny water. The Peg Spoon excels at attracting big fish from a large radius. If you are planning a trip to for monster greenback walleyes you absolutely have to pack the Peg Flutter spoon because it’s one of the top Lake Winnipeg baits.
Northland Buckshot Coffin Spoon
With the internal brass rattle and kicker-tail fin the Buckshot Coffin Spoon is the loudest spoon Northland Tackle offers. This makes it a must have for Lake Winnipeg. It’d loud internal rattle calls in walleyes from a distance. The Coffin Buckshot spoon has an angled body that uniquely reflects light, while the flat-sided profile produces an enticing tumbling action on the fall. With these features, the Buck-Shot Coffin Spoon will attract fish and make your presentation irresistible. It can be fished without the aid of livebait, although most ice anglers opt to tip it with a minnow head.
The Jig
When the walleyes get finicky one of the best ways to catch them is with an old classic jig and minnow combination. A simple jig and minnow presentation will catch walleyes when nothing else will. On Lake Winnipeg a 1/4-ounce jig paired with a frozen shiner or fathead minnow is a deadly combination for greenback walleyes.
The VMC Tungsten Mooneye Jig is tungsten jig with a 1X strong forged needle point round bend hook. Anglers never have to worry about this hook bending out on a big fish. It has a broadhead bait keeper that ensures livebait or plastics stay positioned on the jig head. The VMC Tungsten jig features 3D holographic eyes and a wide array of fish catching colors.
FAQ’s
Are greenback walleyes regular walleyes?
Yes, greenback walleyes are a type of walleye, but they are known for their distinctive emerald green color. The color is likely due to the limestone substrate of the lakebed.
How big to Lake Winnipeg walleyes get?
Walleyes exceeding twelve pounds are caught each winter in the South Basin of Lake Winnipeg.
What rivers are connected to Lake Winnipeg?
Several major rivers flow into Lake Winnipeg including the Red, Winnipeg, and Saskatchewan rivers. These three rivers make up on average more than 60% of the total river flow into Lake Winnipeg.
Conclusion
Ice fishing greenbacks on Lake Winnipeg is truly a bucket list trip. If you are looking for an awesome adventure at a world class fishery you have to give Lake Winnipeg a try. If you pack some of these Lake Winnipeg baits we almost guarantee that you’ll catch some big walleyes.
