January 16th Fishing Report

January 15, 2026

Perch are firing on Big Winnie. Finding the biomass of fish is important to having a full day of success not just hot time window bites.12-18ft depressions/ holes off the shoreline were the best. It’s pretty clear on the vexilar if you are around them as the vexilar continues to reload all day long. Tungsten’s, small jigging spoons, and plain hook rigs worked the best. Tipping the plain hook rig with a bigger minnow did help reduce the amount of play from the smaller perch. Photo and report courtesy of Captain Jeff Johnson of Northern Drift Outfitters.

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January 12th Fishing Report

Perch are firing in Tamarack Bay on Winnie. Finding areas less trampled in the 18-24 ft region produced the best. Plenty of year classes present. Navigation is easy right now and being mobile fishing out of the vehicle can produce some great results. Report courtesy Captain Jeff Johnson of Northern Drift Outfitters.

January 9th Fishing Report

Walleyes and perch continue to bite across Big Winnie. Anglers finding the most success are setting up on smaller humps scattered throughout the lake, many of which receive less fishing pressure. One common characteristic of the most productive humps is that they are surrounded by deeper mud bottoms in the 30–35 foot range. A good number of walleyes and perch are being caught in this deeper water, even during daylight hours. Please be sure to check with area resorts for current road conditions and the locations of pressure ridges before traveling. Crappies and other panfish have been producing well on Cutfoot and several smaller lakes surrounding Big Winnie. Overall, it has been a great winter for mobility and access to the many fishing opportunities Lake Winnie has to offer. Our team of guides will be on Big Winnie this weekend and will share more up-to-date information soon regarding travel conditions and current bite patterns. —Captain Jeff Johnson Northern Drift Outfitters

October 16th Fishing Report

Walleyes on Winnie continue to bite. The cold weather has triggered a feeding frenzy. The time is now if your a jig fishermen.

October 6th Fishing Report

Walleyes and crappies continue to bite in the northland regardless of unseasonably warm weather for this time of year. Walleyes continue to remain shallow on the big lake mostly 11 ft and under. If you are noticing too much bait but marking lots of fish move on. Jigging has started to take precedence over trolling techniques. Tight lines and enjoy this beautiful fall weather. Photo courtesy of Lake Winnie fishing guide, Captain Jeff Johnson of Northern Drift Outfitters.

September 29th Fishing Report

Fall fishing is in swing. Walleyes are hitting both spinner and jigs along Winnie’s prominent shorelines. The big lake does require playing the wind and some good electronics to find the spot on the spot. Enjoy the beautiful weather and setting the hook. Photo courtesy Captain Jeff Johnson of Northern Drift Outfitters.

September 12th Fishing Report

Walleyes continue to be prominent on main shoreline pieces of structure all across the big lake. 6-8 ft of water when there is wind and clouds and 9-11 ft when things get calm and sunny. Spinners along with other trolling techniques have still been working. Photo courtesy Lake Winnie fishing guide Captain Jeff Johnson of Northern Drift Outfitters.