In Manitoba when the fishing season begins walleye are finished spawning.Fish around the spawning area’s.They lay their eggs in sandy area’s or in rocky area’s with moving water.They choose rocky area’s to spawn so the eggs fall between the rocks so other fish cant eat them.The males hang around to protect the eggs.The big females go to deeper water very soon after spawning.
Lake Winnipeg supports a large commercial and recreational fishery for walleye (Sander vitreus) and sauger (Sander canadensis), bringing in roughly 3–5 million kilograms and millions of dollars to Manitoba every year (Johnston et al., 2012, Lumb et al., 2011), most of which is landed in the South Basin of the lake. Lake Winnibigoshish has a slot limit from 18 inches to 23 inches (where one fish can be kept over 23 inches). Despite an aggressive slot limit, our anglers often catch enough fish to have fish fries and many young anglers have the opportunity to catch a fair number of five pound and larger walleyes. Think about a trip to Denny's Resort in October.
If you don’t know where the fish are,troll with rapalas,jigs with twister tails,or spinner rigs close to shore in shallow water.When you catch one stop,turn off the motor and fish there.You have found the walleye.Cast or jig.
If you want to catch the big walleye go to deeper water where there’s structure.
Good spring colors are Fire Tiger,Chartreuse,Red,Blue,and White.
At night and in the morning walleye will be in shallow water.When the sun rises and the day heats up,they move to deeper water.In the summer walleye are in deeper water for the cooler water.Rocky points,drop offs to deeper water, structure,and weedy areas for protection from the sun.Troll or jig these areas.
A fish finder comes in handy at this time of year
Lake Winnipeg Walleye Size Limit
Silver and brown Rapalas work good.Same as brown rubber on jigs.In early summer leeches are a good bait and in later summer when its hotter night crawlers are a good bait choice.Live minnows are always good.
Fall time walleye fishing is the most exciting time in Manitoba. Large schools of Lake Winnipeg greenback walleye migrate into the Winnipeg River and the Red River and stay all winter before going back to the lake after spawning in spring.
The fall run starts in late September after the water starts cooling and is best fishing by mid October.
Trolling with Rapala cranks,spinner rigs,bottom bouncers, or jigging,and still fishing from shore using a pickerel rig all produce in the fall.
Jigging close to the bottom in deep water with salted shiners is the best. Its better to have use of a boat and if you have a guide your in for one hell of a excellent Manitoba trophy Greenback fishing experience.
Winnipeg River Hot Spots:
In the Winnipeg River from Pine Falls to Traverse Bay.
Star Point
Cyprus Point
Bruyeres Point
Robinson Rock
Lake Winnipeg Walleye Slot Sizes
Two Hearts
Red River Hot Spots:
In the Red River from Lockport to the mouth.
The Fort
The Church
Sugar Island
Miracle Mile
End Of Main
Bridge To Nowhere
The Cut
Winter Walleye:
To catch lots of walleye and fish over 10 pounds in Manitoba you will want to ice fish on the Red River from Lockport up to Lake Winnipeg’s south basin.
On Lake Winnipeg it can be hard to locate the fish because of its large size.Its a good idea to find out where people have been catching and go there.Or hire a guide. Balsam Bay on the east side and Matlock on the west side are hot spots.And the center of Lake Winnipeg a few kilometers north of the mouth of the Red River.
If you don’t know where the fish are,drill your first holes and fish for 20 minutes.If you don’t catch move 100 yards and drill more holes and fish.Keep doi.ng this until you find fish.This is one way of finding a school of walleye.
Using a flasher increases your chance of bringing a trophy fish out of the hole.
Popular baits for Lake Winnipeg and the Red River are jig and shiner minnow,Live Target golden shiner,#5 and #6 rippin raps,#7 jigging raps,2” and 2.75”Lindy darter. Use salted shiners on the hooks.