With daytime highs in the 70s, and overnight low temps in the mid-50s, October rolled into our region feeling more like August. Since our report last week, Lake Winnie’s surface water hadn’t varied much more than a degree or two. At an average of 64 degrees, the water was cool enough to start triggering some early fall migrations of certain fish. Some of the popular fall fishing presentations were taking hold too. But at the same time, summer patterns prevailed in some regions of both Cutfoot Sioux and Winnie.
Bowen Lodge customer Karen with nice Cutfoot Sioux Walleye
The extension of summer-like weather ended on Tuesday this week when prevailing south winds gave way to strong gusty winds from the west, the air temperatures dropped steadily through the day Wednesday and Thursday, we’re expecting to see water temperatures respond to the cooling and mixing by dropping some more. As the turbulence subsides, the cooling trend will accelerate fall migrations and feeding patterns, and we expect the week ahead to be a good one.
The walleye action in Cutfoot has been good for our guests, and for our resident guide Jared Saufferer. Walleyes in Cutfoot Sioux have been found in many of the most proven, popular spots. Hard bottom points that lead into deep water have been good, shallow patches of gravel and rock are good too, especially when located adjacent to vegetation. Fishing along the edges of cabbage and coontail can also be effective too.
Bowen Lodge customer Calvin shows off big Cutfoot Sioux Walleye
Walleyes in Winnie have been moving along the edges of mid-lake structures all week, and many have begun showing up along the shoreline, in shallower water. On any given day, we’ve heard about walleyes being caught in both deep and shallow waters. On mid-lake bars, 15 to 21 feet has been a key depth range. Along windswept shorelines, walleyes were caught in 4 to 8 feet of water. In calmer shoreline waters, 12 to 16 feet have been a key depth range.
Jumbo Perch have shown up in numerous, shallow water areas on the big lake too. They can be found in water depths ranging from 2 to 6 feet of water. Small, isolated rock points and shallow patches of gravel are the highest percentage spots. Vegetation is also holding some fish, both types of structure should be explored.
Jumbo Perch: Good size and good action on Lake Winnie!
Jig and minnow presentations are solid now and could be all you need on most days. There are still anglers fishing with spinners, and some are “long lining” with night crawlers too. Lindy rigging with minnows, especially large lively ones like creek chubs, redtails or golden shiners can also be used, especially when in pursuit of larger fish. Some suggestions for effective fall presentations include.
Mid lake bars, use ¼ ounce live bait jigs tipped with larger fatheads, or other suitable “jigging size” minnows. We like minnows in the 3-to-4-inch size range for jigging walleyes, and perch too for that matter. Jigging lures, like jigging raps have also been effective for some anglers, so experiment with these as well.
Shallow shoreline structures require lighter weights. Use 1/16-ounce jigs tipped with minnows for the super shallow, 2- to 4-foot-deep perch spots. Stick with those same 3-to-4-inch minnows in the walleye size range. Perch will strike them readily, and larger minnows will allow you to capitalize on the occasional walleye or pike that inhabit these shallow spots as well. We heard a rumor on Wednesday that one group did well by tipping the jigs with ½ might crawlers instead of using minnows; it wouldn’t hurt to give that a try too.
Mid-depth shoreline breaks, 8 to 12 feet of water typically call for a 1/8-ounce jigs but be prepared to make some adaptations. There are numerous patches of moss-like algae along the bottom, so on calm days, switching to 1/16 once may be very helpful to keep your baits running clean. There are times too when “wiggle worming” is a good choice, and the lighter jigs always work better for this presentation.
Depending on where you use them, walleye, perch, pike, crappies, panfish and more could be susceptible to spinners tipped with minnows. The trolling presentation has continued to produce fish for some anglers but is waning in popularity. We think spinners could now be viewed as a search tool, rather than the primary presentation. Trolling along breaklines, particularly adjacent to vegetation at speeds of .9 to 1.1 MPH will work. Cover territory until you encounter fish, and then select a more efficient presentation for the circumstances.
Crappies haven’t much been a topic of conversation lately. Earlier this fall, there was an uptick in crappie activity in the wake of a cold front that drove them out of the vegetation. For a time, anglers found them in open water and capitalized on the opportunity. As conditions became more summer-like, may of the crappies moved back into patches of cabbage, coontail and other mixed vegetation. For now, we think that shoreline vegetation continues to be the best bet for catching them. We’ll monitor the situation as water temperatures cool, and panfish move back toward open water.
Sunfish action has been good all summer and continues to be for those choosing to pursue them. Shoreline structure, small patches of gravel adjacent to cabbage or coontail have been productive. Compact, but heavy jigs tipped with cut pieces of night crawlers are effective. When fish for sunfish, move slowly along the edges of vegetation until you find them, and then stop. Sunfish inhabit, small, well-defined “mini spots” and can often be caught in good numbers by anchoring, and fishing vertically.
Northern pike are on the move and being caught regularly. So far though, most of the pike catches have resulted from fishing for walleyes. Jigs and minnows often produce plenty of “eater” size pike, those shorter than 22 inches. Spinners produce those fish too, and sometimes larger fish as well. But if you’re looking for larger fish, bulking up your presentation will be required. During fall, casting jerk baits, or large soft plastic swim baits is a better choice. Along the shoreline, rocky structures have been more reliable than vegetation.
The rule of thumb for both musky and large pike is that fall spawning fish like tullibees attract them to shallow water spawning areas. For now, many of those large fish are in deeper water and are less susceptible to casting; slow trolling with live bait rigs is a better option. Follow the sharp breaking edges of structure using “quick strike” live bait rigs with large minnows. Sucker minnows in the 8-to-12-inch range are good for pike, even larger minnows, suckers in the 12-to-16-inch size range can be effective for musky fishing too.
Our fishing days may be numbered, but they’re not over yet. So, even as we roll into the hunting season, we’ll fire out an occasional update about what’s happening on the lakes. If you’re headed this way for the weekend, travel safely and good luck!