|
 Oftentimes
the weather in mid-August still feels like the
middle of summer yet signs of the
coming fall are clearly identifiable. The trees are
turning, football practice has started, the kids are
going back to school and best of all...great fall
fishing is just around the corner! Lake
Winnibigoshish is a renown walleye fishery and fall
is one of the best times of the year to find big
fish as water temperatures cool and the fish prepare
for the coming winter. Here are some tips to help
you find fish on Lake Winnie during the fall months.
The transition from summer to fall has a big impact
on fishing because the change of season impacts the
two major components of a fish population's
environment: the water and the weather. The cooling
temperatures create instability in the weather
patterns spawning cold fronts that can trigger
feeding frenzies. The cooling air
temperatures also result in cooling water
temperatures - something that signals the fish to
begin preparations for the coming winter. As a
result, autumn fish will be concentrated near a food
source since there are fewer bait fish to prey on
than there were during the warm months of summer. Many times if
you can find the baitfish, you will usually find
walleyes, crappies, or northern pike close by. If you
mark game fish on your sonar, try that spot for
awhile, but if you don’t have luck relatively
 quickly, then move on to another location. Don’t
spend too much time waiting for fish to move into an
area where you are not getting any action.
Jig and minnow combinations are successful with many
different species in the fall. A Fire-ball jig
tipped with a three or four inch minnow will attract
just about any walleye in its vicinity, and
usually a golden shiner is the minnow of choice. You
may want to go a bit smaller if crappies or perch
are what you’re fishing for. Trolling crankbaits is another good bet for catching
really big walleye in the fall. You can also try an
aggressive, medium-sized minnow in an area where
walleye are known to hold. Large sand or rock flats
that are near deep water can provide exceptional
action.
 Crankbaits are also an excellent choice when hunting
for trophy Northern Pike. A good rule of thumb is to
match the size of the lure to the size of fish you
are chasing. In this case, the bigger the bait, the
bigger the fish! As the season progresses, northern
pike often become more aggressive. You may use a
softer, less aggressive approach in the spring, but
ratchet it up as the season progresses. It is a good
idea to vary your retrieve by speeding up and then
slowing down. You can also twitch it, and then hop
it. By changing the action, you will soon be saying
“fish on!"
Big thumping blades produce some nice catches, but
be aware that they are considered warm water lures
if the depth is less than 5 feet, use a shallow
runner. If the depth is deeper than five feet, use a
deep runner. Spinnerbaits tend to run interference
and are a better choice when fishing through the
weeds. Slow and tantalizing jigs are best when the
fishing is tough. A 3/8 oz. jig is best for shallow
water. You should add about 1/8 oz for every 5 feet
of depth. Tip the jig with a stinger if you are
getting short hits. The colder the water, the slower
the approach should be. With jigs, you need to learn
to detect subtle bites, and that can take some
practice!
As fall takes hold in northern Minnesota, attention
turns to hunting and football which tends to reduce
the number of anglers on the water. In fact,
you might find that you have all those fish to
yourself. So grab your tackle and a warm jacket and
head to Lake Winnie – that trophy fish is calling
your name!
We look forward to hosting your Minnesota fishing trip at McArdle’s Resort – Lake
Winnibigoshish’s premier resort for fishermen and their
families! Contact us
today to check availability! |
