May 11th Fishing Report

May 11, 2026

What a memorable weekend! Battling the cold and wind on the big lake made it feel like a traditional old-school fishing opener. Water temperatures were in the mid to upper 40s, and for the most part, fish were holding shallow. Depths of 6–9 feet produced plenty of bites, including both quality fish and eater-sized keepers.

Traditional shallow rocky areas along the north shore, as well as up into Third River, produced great action. Tamarack Bay extending back into Plughat also offered consistent fishing opportunities throughout the weekend.

The bite will only continue to improve as spring progresses. Expect this upcoming weekend to provide some excellent fishing opportunities across the lake.

Report courtesy of Captain Jeff Johnson with Northern Drift Outfitters — your Lake Winnie fishing guide.

‍

Lake Winnie Lodging Request Brochure Request Information

Why Lake Winnie is the Premier Destination for Minnesota’s 2026 Fishing Opener

In Minnesota, the second Saturday in May isn’t just a date on the calendar; it is a secular holiday, a rite of passage, and the official awakening of the Northwoods. As the ice finally retreats and the loons return to their nesting grounds, thousands of anglers across the state begin the frantic ritual of checking trailer lights, spooling fresh line, and organizing tackle boxes.But for those who have experienced the magic of the "Big Chip" and the surrounding waters, there is only one place to be when the clock strikes midnight: Lake Winnibigoshish.As we approach the 2026 Minnesota Fishing Opener, the Lake Winnie Resort Association is ready to welcome back the generations of families and hardcore sport-anglers who know that while Minnesota has 10,000 lakes, it only has one Lake Winnie.

Summer Adventures on Lake Winnie

With the big swings in weather this month (7-8 inches of snow, immediately followed by snow melting temps), we know the summer season is coming up quick! If you’ve been feeling that summer itch—that restless pull toward wide-open spaces and water that stretches to the horizon—it’s time to listen. Summer in the Northwoods isn’t just a season; it’s an experience. And there is no better place to find it than Lake Winnibigoshish, the pinnacle of the Minnesota resort experience.

March 2nd Fishing Report

Perch are firing on mid lake and along weed line structure look for sharp breaks alongside shallow flats. Photo courtesy of lyle Unger with Grand Rapids guide service and guided ice fishing Minnesota.

The Season Shift is Coming

We are officially in the home stretch of the Minnesota ice fishing season. Here on Lake Winnie, the sun is getting stronger, the days are getting longer, and the countdown to the mandatory ice house removal is officially on.

February 13th Fishing Report

It’s definitely perch season in the north. Look for shallow flats in the 6-8 ft region off of main lake points across the big lake. Often these perch will be shallower than most anticipate. As they day wears on it is very noticeable that most of these fish are pulling out into 12-18ft holes and funnel areas off of these larger flats. Utilizing your imaging to track these fish down is very effective. You’ll find that they are using a much smaller area than you would think. Utilizing 2 rods is important as well. Active jigging spoons to call fish along with set lines really help increase the catch. Good luck this weekend and enjoy the warm up. Photo and report courtesy of Captain Jeff Johnson with Northern Drift Outfitters and Guided Ice Fishing MN.

February 9th Fishing Report

Set and get perch. Jigging spoons tipped with minnows and larger fatheads on a split shot and plain hook worked the best. 15-18 ft holes off of shallow 6-8 ft flats off the shoreline are holding good number of fish. For fish house guys that don’t want to move around a lot, finding deeper holes off the flats works best. Making the most out of bite windows helps produce bigger numbers of fish. Photo courtesy Captain Jeff Johnson of Northern Drift Outfitters and Guided Ice Fishing MN. Your Lake Winnie area fishing guide.