How to Fish Little Winnibigoshish Lake: Best Patterns & Techniques

Little Winnibigoshish Lake

Published: Nov 1, 2018Updated: May 11, 2025

Table of Contents

Spring Fishing Patterns on Little Winnibigoshish Lake

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Northern Pike	38-48	Pre-spawn pike are actively feeding to build energy reserves, making frequent feeding runs along shallow vegetation edges and points Fish are transitioning from winter depths to spawning areas, following warming water trends Aggressive feeding behavior during key windows, especially during warming trends	Shallow weed edges adjacent to spawning bays (2-8 feet) Main lake points leading into potential spawning bays Transitions where submerged vegetation meets deeper water	Spinnerbaits worked parallel to weed edges Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) with steady retrieve Lipless Crankbaits worked through sparse vegetation	Bluegills congregating in pre-spawn areas Minnow schools in transition areas Small pike and yellow perch	Natural Baitfish Colors Light Neutral Colors Purple Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Walleye	38-48	Walleye are staging near spawning areas, typically moving from deeper wintering areas to shallower rocky or gravelly areas in preparation for spawn Feeding activity is increasing as fish bulk up before spawning, with most active periods during dawn and dusk	Rocky points and gravel shorelines near deeper water access Mid-lake breaks in 10-19 foot range Tributary mouths and current areas where available	Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') Live Bait Rigs Blade Baits	Yellow Perch Smaller Baitfish Crawfish	Natural Baitfish Colors Natural Craw Colors Dark Neutrals
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Yellow Perch	42-54	Pre-spawn yellow perch are transitioning from deeper wintering areas to shallower spawning zones, actively feeding to build energy reserves Fish are typically moving in larger schools, becoming more aggressive in their feeding patterns as water temperatures rise Due to pike predation pressure, schools remain close to available cover during daylight hours	Weed edges adjacent to spawning flats in 8-12 foot depth range Drop-offs near shallow flats where depth transitions from 6-15 feet Protected mid-depth basins with emerging vegetation	Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') Live Bait Rigs Small Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium)	Small minnows Aquatic invertebrates Young bluegills	Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals
Spring (Spawn)	Northern Pike	42-52	Pike concentrated in shallow, weedy bays and flooded vegetation during spawning period, with post-spawn fish staging near deeper drop-offs Actively feeding during daylight hours, particularly during warming trends, with aggressive strikes on larger profile baits	Shallow weedy bays with emerging vegetation in 2-6 feet of water Drop-off edges adjacent to spawning areas in 8-12 feet Submerged vegetation beds near main lake points	Spinnerbaits worked slowly through emerging vegetation Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) with steady retrieve along weed edges Inline Spinners cast parallel to vegetation lines	Spawning suckers and shiners Bluegill in emerging weed beds Young-of-year minnows	Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals Chartreuse Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Walleye	42-52	Walleye are moving into shallow rocky areas and tributaries for spawning, typically most active during dawn and dusk periods Post-spawn fish transitioning to feeding areas along break-lines, showing increased activity with warming water	Rocky shorelines and points with gravel substrate for spawning Break-lines in 10-19 foot range for post-spawn recovery Transition areas between spawning sites and deeper water	Live Bait Rigs worked slowly along rocky areas and breaks Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') for post-spawn fish Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) for active fish	Yellow Perch congregating in similar spawning areas Crawfish becoming active in rocky areas	Natural Baitfish Colors Natural Craw Colors Dark Neutrals
Spring (Spawn)	Yellow Perch	45-55	Staging in pre-spawn areas near shallow weed flats and transitional areas, actively feeding to prepare for spawning Moving between deeper wintering areas and shallow spawning zones, particularly active during dawn and dusk periods Forming loose schools in 6-12 foot depths, seeking warmer water temperatures	Shallow weed flats adjacent to deeper wintering areas (8-15 feet) Transition areas between vegetation and sand/gravel bottom Protected bays with emerging vegetation	Live Bait Rigs worked slowly along bottom transitions Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') with small jigs Small Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) worked methodically through staging areas	Small minnows gathering in warming shallows Juvenile bluegills near emerging vegetation Aquatic invertebrates becoming active in warming waters	Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals Chartreuse Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Northern Pike	58-72	Pike are actively feeding in the post-spawn period, showing aggressive behavior particularly around weed edges and drop-offs Fish are primarily hunting in the upper water column, with burst feeding activity during prime periods	Weed edges adjacent to deeper water, particularly along drop-offs Main lake points with emerging vegetation Shallow flats with submerged vegetation in 5-12 feet of water	Bladed Jigs worked along weed edges with moderate retrieve Spinnerbaits worked parallel to vegetation breaks Buzzbaits and topwater presentations during low light periods	Minnows gathering around emerging vegetation Young-of-year panfish beginning to appear in shallows	Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Walleye	48-58	Post-spawn walleye actively feeding along break-lines and ledges, transitioning from spawning areas to early summer locations Fish showing preference for mid-depth zones (10-19 feet), likely relating to comfortable temperature range and proximity to forage	Main lake ledges in 10-19 foot depth range Break-lines near main lake points Emerging weed edges where present, especially near depth transitions	Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') Live Bait Rigs Trolling Mid Depth (10-19')	Yellow Perch Crawfish	Natural Baitfish Colors Natural Craw Colors Dark Neutrals
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Yellow Perch	48-62	Post-spawn perch are transitioning from shallow spawning areas to deeper feeding zones, actively searching for food to recover energy Schools are beginning to form but remain relatively scattered, with fish moving between vegetation edges and adjacent deeper water	Weed edges adjacent to spawning areas in 8-12 foot depths Mid-depth flats with emerging vegetation in 6-10 feet Drop-offs near main lake basin in 12-15 foot range	Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') Live Bait Rigs Small Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium)	Small invertebrates and insects emerging with spring warming Young-of-year baitfish beginning to appear Smaller bluegills in shared habitat areas	Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals Chartreuse Colors

Summer Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Summer	Northern Pike	68-75	Pike are exhibiting burst feeding patterns, with intense activity periods of 8-12 fish in minutes followed by slower periods Fish are actively hunting in the upper water column, particularly around weed edges and transition areas	Submerged weed edges adjacent to deeper water Main lake points with vegetation Drop-off areas where weeds meet deeper water	Bladed Jigs worked along weed edges Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') parallel to vegetation Spinnerbaits with steady retrieves through openings in weeds	Bluegill in and around weed beds Various minnow species along weed edges	Natural Baitfish Colors Natural Craw Colors
Summer	Walleye	65-75	Walleye are likely suspended in deeper water or relating to deep weed edges due to summer thermal stratification, with most active feeding during dawn and dusk periods Fish are showing typical summer pattern of moving between deep structure and weed edges, following baitfish movements throughout the day	Deep weed edges in 15-20 foot range where they transition to breaks Main lake points with access to deeper water Mid-depth flats adjacent to deeper water where baitfish congregate	Trolling Mid Depth (10-19') Live Bait Rigs Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19')	Yellow Perch concentrating around weed edges Crayfish active on rocky areas and transitions Young-of-year baitfish schools	Natural Baitfish Colors Natural Craw Colors Dark Neutrals
Summer	Yellow Perch	68-75	Schools actively feeding in mid-depth open water/basin areas, staying tight to cover during peak daylight hours due to pike predation pressure Most active during dawn/dusk periods in moderate clarity conditions, transitioning between weed edges and open water feeding zones	Mid-depth basin areas (8-15 feet) with access to weed edges Vegetation edges adjacent to deeper water Main lake drop-offs near weed beds	Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') Live Bait Rigs Small Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium)	Small bluegills Minnows	Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals Chartreuse Colors

Fall Fishing Guide for Little Winnibigoshish Lake

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Fall	Northern Pike	52-65	Northern Pike are transitioning to more aggressive feeding patterns as water temperatures cool, following baitfish schools to shallower flats and weed edges Fish are exhibiting burst feeding behavior, particularly during morning and evening hours, targeting concentrated baitfish schools	Deep weed edges adjacent to drop-offs where vegetation meets deeper water Main lake points with remaining green vegetation Shallow flats with scattered vegetation near deep-water access	Spinnerbaits worked parallel to weed edges with occasional pauses Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) slow-rolled through transitional depths Lipless Crankbaits retrieved with yo-yo action near vegetation	Bluegills congregating near remaining vegetation Schooling minnows in transitional areas Young-of-year panfish in shallow flats	Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals Purple Colors
Fall	Walleye	48-62	Actively feeding to build energy reserves for winter, following baitfish schools and relating to deeper structure Most active during dawn and dusk, moving shallower during low-light periods to feed Transitioning between summer and winter patterns, becoming more aggressive as water temperatures cool	Main lake points and break-lines in 15-25 foot range Deeper edges of weed growth, especially near drop-offs Wind-swept shorelines with good depth nearby	Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') Live Bait Rigs Trolling Mid Depth (10-19')	Yellow Perch schooling in mid-depth areas Smaller baitfish concentrated near remaining weed growth Crayfish active on hard-bottom areas before winter	Natural Baitfish Colors Natural Craw Colors Dark Neutrals
Fall	Yellow Perch	45-62	Schooling aggressively in larger groups as they prepare for winter, actively feeding during mid-morning and afternoon periods Moving between weed edges and adjacent deep water areas, following baitfish schools	Deep weed edges adjacent to main basin areas (12-15 feet) Main lake drop-offs near remaining vegetation (8-16 feet) Mid-depth flats with scattered vegetation (10-14 feet)	Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') Live Bait Rigs Blade Baits	Small minnows gathering in schools Juvenile bluegills near remaining vegetation Small invertebrates in vegetation	Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals Metallic Colors

Winter & Ice Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Winter	Northern Pike	38-45	Pike are actively patrolling deeper weed edges and drop-offs near remaining green vegetation, making periodic feeding movements to shallower areas Feeding windows are pronounced, with most active periods during stable weather and low light conditions	Deep weed edges adjacent to drop-offs (8-15 feet) Main lake points with remaining vegetation Transitions between hard bottom and soft bottom areas near depth changes	Blade Baits worked with slow, vertical presentations along deep weed edges Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) slowly retrieved parallel to depth transitions Lipless Crankbaits worked with yo-yo retrieves near vegetation	Bluegills concentrated in remaining weed patches Minnow schools suspended near depth transitions Small pike grouping up in wintering areas	Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals Purple Colors
Winter	Walleye	38-42	Walleye in early winter actively feeding on perch and baitfish along transition zones between deeper basins and mid-depth flats Fish are most active during low-light periods due to moderate water clarity (2.3m Secchi), especially during dawn and dusk	Break-lines and transition areas in 10-19 feet where deeper basins meet flats Main lake points with access to both shallow and deep water Edges of remaining weed growth in 8-12 feet of water	Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') Live Bait Rigs Blade Baits	Yellow Perch Smaller Baitfish	Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals Purple Colors
Winter	Yellow Perch	34-39	Schooling in deeper main basin areas (12-16 feet) due to winter conditions, moving in tight groups for feeding efficiency Most active during dawn and mid-day periods, with reduced movement during extreme cold fronts	Deep edges of weed flats transitioning to basin areas (12-16 feet) Main lake basin areas with subtle bottom contour changes Deeper holes adjacent to remaining green vegetation	Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') Ice Fishing Jigs Blade Baits	Small minnows in winter schools Juvenile bluegills near remaining vegetation Invertebrates near bottom	Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals Metallic Colors
Ice	Northern Pike	33-39	Pike concentrate near shallow to mid-depth weed edges and drop-offs, actively feeding during prime dawn/dusk periods Fish exhibit burst feeding patterns, particularly during stable weather conditions, moving between deeper wintering areas and feeding zones	Weed edges adjacent to deeper wintering holes (12-16 feet) Main lake points with access to both shallow and deep water Transition areas where submerged vegetation meets drop-offs	Ice Fishing Tip-Ups with large live bait positioned at various depths Ice Fishing Spoons worked aggressively to trigger reaction strikes Ice Fishing Jigs tipped with minnows for finesse presentation	Bluegills suspended near weed edges Large Minnows schooling in deeper water Smaller pike gathering in wintering areas	Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors Light Neutral Colors
Ice	Walleye	33-38	Walleye tend to concentrate in mid-depth basins (12-16 feet) during early and mid-ice, moving to shallower structural elements during late ice Feeding activity peaks during dawn and dusk periods, with a secondary bite window during overcast conditions	Main lake basins adjacent to structural breaks in 12-16 foot range Transitions between hard bottom and soft bottom areas where perch congregate Edges of shallow flats near deeper water, particularly during late ice	Ice Fishing Jigs worked with subtle movements, especially during prime time periods Ice Fishing Spoons with aggressive jigging during active feeding periods Ice Fishing Tip-Ups set along depth transitions with live bait	Yellow Perch concentrated in basin areas Small Minnows along transitional areas Juvenile Ciscoes in deeper sections	Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals Purple Colors
Ice	Yellow Perch	33-36	Perch form tight schools in mid-depth basin areas (12-15 feet) during early and mid-ice, moving to shallower weed edges (8-10 feet) as late ice approaches Most active feeding occurs during morning and late afternoon periods, with fish becoming more aggressive during late ice as daylight increases	Main basin flats in 12-15 foot depth range with subtle bottom transitions Edges of weed beds in 8-10 foot depth range, especially where they meet drop-offs Areas where vegetation meets hard bottom transitions in mid-depth zones	Ice Fishing Jigs worked with subtle movements 6-12 inches off bottom Ice Fishing Spoons with aggressive jigging to attract schools Ice Fishing Tip-Ups set along weed edges for larger perch	Small minnows and young-of-year fish Aquatic invertebrates near weed beds Zooplankton in water column	Natural Baitfish Colors Pink Colors Dark Neutrals

Key Seasonal Structures in Little Winnibigoshish Lake

Season	Species	Primary Structure	Secondary Structure
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Northern Pike	Shallow weed edges adjacent to spawning bays (2-8 feet)	Main lake points leading into potential spawning bays
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Walleye	Rocky points and gravel shorelines near deeper water access	Mid-lake breaks in 10-19 foot range
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Yellow Perch	Weed edges adjacent to spawning flats in 8-12 foot depth range	Drop-offs near shallow flats where depth transitions from 6-15 feet
Spring (Spawn)	Northern Pike	Shallow weedy bays with emerging vegetation in 2-6 feet of water	Drop-off edges adjacent to spawning areas in 8-12 feet
Spring (Spawn)	Walleye	Rocky shorelines and points with gravel substrate for spawning	Break-lines in 10-19 foot range for post-spawn recovery
Spring (Spawn)	Yellow Perch	Shallow weed flats adjacent to deeper wintering areas (8-15 feet)	Transition areas between vegetation and sand/gravel bottom
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Northern Pike	Weed edges adjacent to deeper water, particularly along drop-offs	Main lake points with emerging vegetation
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Walleye	Main lake ledges in 10-19 foot depth range	Break-lines near main lake points
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Yellow Perch	Weed edges adjacent to spawning areas in 8-12 foot depths	Mid-depth flats with emerging vegetation in 6-10 feet
Summer	Northern Pike	Submerged weed edges adjacent to deeper water	Main lake points with vegetation
Summer	Walleye	Deep weed edges in 15-20 foot range where they transition to breaks	Main lake points with access to deeper water
Summer	Yellow Perch	Mid-depth basin areas (8-15 feet) with access to weed edges	Vegetation edges adjacent to deeper water
Fall	Northern Pike	Deep weed edges adjacent to drop-offs where vegetation meets deeper water	Main lake points with remaining green vegetation
Fall	Walleye	Main lake points and break-lines in 15-25 foot range	Deeper edges of weed growth, especially near drop-offs
Fall	Yellow Perch	Deep weed edges adjacent to main basin areas (12-15 feet)	Main lake drop-offs near remaining vegetation (8-16 feet)
Winter	Northern Pike	Deep weed edges adjacent to drop-offs (8-15 feet)	Main lake points with remaining vegetation
Winter	Walleye	Break-lines and transition areas in 10-19 feet where deeper basins meet flats	Main lake points with access to both shallow and deep water
Winter	Yellow Perch	Deep edges of weed flats transitioning to basin areas (12-16 feet)	Main lake basin areas with subtle bottom contour changes
Ice	Northern Pike	Weed edges adjacent to deeper wintering holes (12-16 feet)	Main lake points with access to both shallow and deep water
Ice	Walleye	Main lake basins adjacent to structural breaks in 12-16 foot range	Transitions between hard bottom and soft bottom areas where perch congregate
Ice	Yellow Perch	Main basin flats in 12-15 foot depth range with subtle bottom transitions	Edges of weed beds in 8-10 foot depth range, especially where they meet drop-offs

Primary Forage by Season

Season	Species	Primary Forage	Secondary Forage
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Northern Pike	Bluegills congregating in pre-spawn areas	Minnow schools in transition areas
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Walleye	Yellow Perch	Smaller Baitfish
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Yellow Perch	Small minnows	Aquatic invertebrates
Spring (Spawn)	Northern Pike	Spawning suckers and shiners	Bluegill in emerging weed beds
Spring (Spawn)	Walleye	Yellow Perch congregating in similar spawning areas	Crawfish becoming active in rocky areas
Spring (Spawn)	Yellow Perch	Small minnows gathering in warming shallows	Juvenile bluegills near emerging vegetation
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Northern Pike	Minnows gathering around emerging vegetation	Young-of-year panfish beginning to appear in shallows
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Walleye	Yellow Perch	Crawfish
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Yellow Perch	Small invertebrates and insects emerging with spring warming	Young-of-year baitfish beginning to appear
Summer	Northern Pike	Bluegill in and around weed beds	Various minnow species along weed edges
Summer	Walleye	Yellow Perch concentrating around weed edges	Crayfish active on rocky areas and transitions
Summer	Yellow Perch	Small bluegills	Minnows
Fall	Northern Pike	Bluegills congregating near remaining vegetation	Schooling minnows in transitional areas
Fall	Walleye	Yellow Perch schooling in mid-depth areas	Smaller baitfish concentrated near remaining weed growth
Fall	Yellow Perch	Small minnows gathering in schools	Juvenile bluegills near remaining vegetation
Winter	Northern Pike	Bluegills concentrated in remaining weed patches	Minnow schools suspended near depth transitions
Winter	Walleye	Yellow Perch	Smaller Baitfish
Winter	Yellow Perch	Small minnows in winter schools	Juvenile bluegills near remaining vegetation
Ice	Northern Pike	Bluegills suspended near weed edges	Large Minnows schooling in deeper water
Ice	Walleye	Yellow Perch concentrated in basin areas	Small Minnows along transitional areas
Ice	Yellow Perch	Small minnows and young-of-year fish	Aquatic invertebrates near weed beds

Bait Colors by Season for Little Winnibigoshish Lake

Season	Species	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Northern Pike	Natural Baitfish Colors Light Neutral Colors Purple Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Walleye	Natural Baitfish Colors Natural Craw Colors Dark Neutrals
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Yellow Perch	Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals
Spring (Spawn)	Northern Pike	Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals Chartreuse Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Walleye	Natural Baitfish Colors Natural Craw Colors Dark Neutrals
Spring (Spawn)	Yellow Perch	Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals Chartreuse Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Northern Pike	Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Walleye	Natural Baitfish Colors Natural Craw Colors Dark Neutrals
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Yellow Perch	Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals Chartreuse Colors
Summer	Northern Pike	Natural Baitfish Colors Natural Craw Colors
Summer	Walleye	Natural Baitfish Colors Natural Craw Colors Dark Neutrals
Summer	Yellow Perch	Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals Chartreuse Colors
Fall	Northern Pike	Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals Purple Colors
Fall	Walleye	Natural Baitfish Colors Natural Craw Colors Dark Neutrals
Fall	Yellow Perch	Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals Metallic Colors
Winter	Northern Pike	Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals Purple Colors
Winter	Walleye	Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals Purple Colors
Winter	Yellow Perch	Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals Metallic Colors
Ice	Northern Pike	Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors Light Neutral Colors
Ice	Walleye	Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals Purple Colors
Ice	Yellow Perch	Natural Baitfish Colors Pink Colors Dark Neutrals