Big Winnie is home to some of the best walleye fishing in the state. Spawning fish tend to migrate from the big lake into the narrower waters of Cutfoot Sioux and Little Cutfoot Sioux. Over the years, many of the walleyes have liked the area so much they stick around all year long, and savvy anglers know that these fish are less pressured than those on Winnibigoshish.

The best area to fish from shore is right off Highway 46, which runs northwest from the town of Deer River. “There’s a fishing pier there, but all the old-timers fish below the bridge where there’s a good hole that bottoms out around 20 feet deep,” Powell said. Powell said the area under the bridge is good from opener until the first week of June, and then after the second weekend in August. “Sometimes the fall is better than the spring,” he added.

Leeches and minnows fished on slip-bobber rigs tend to work the best in this area. Powell said the slight current flowing through the narrows helps give your lure some drifting action.

For more information on Little Cutfoot Sioux, go to www.fredsbait.com or call (218) 246-8710. Area information can be found at www.lakewinnie. net.

LEECH LAKE
The walleye fishing on Leech has traditionally been great, though it has slowed down a bit in the last several years. As the slot limit continues and stocking increases, the population will only improve.

Shore-anglers on big Leech have done better in recent years despite the slower action had by those in boats. While boat anglers target the heavily fished midlake structure, shore-anglers can hit the overlooked weedy areas.

There is a fishing pier just east of Walker on Shingobee Island right by the rest area and boat launch. This area is best in the spring and fall, though weed walleyes have been caught throughout the summer.

Tom Wilson is a guide for the Leech Lake Guide Coalition and he said Leech Lake shore-anglers pay careful attention to the wind. “Anytime the wind is sustained in the same direction for a few days, the windblown shoreline can be a good place to fish,” he said.

When the wind is blowing out of the west, the Kabekona Bay boat launch piers can be a good location. The fish can be caught under the Highway 371 bridge as well. For a wind from the east, Wilson said to try the areas off the point in the Walker City Park -- especially at night.

For additional information, contact the Leech Lake Guide Coalition at www.leechlakeguides.com or call Tom Wilson at (218) 224-2815. Area information can be found at www.leech-lake.com or by calling 1-1-800-833-1118.

ST. CROIX RIVER
Forming the eastern boundary of Minnesota, the St. Croix is a beautiful river that receives heavy recreational pressure in the summertime. Most of this pressure is from personal watercraft, sailboats and speedboats. A 25-foot boat on the river on a hot summer day is considered a “small boat,” which tends to keep many anglers off the river. This is great news for shore-anglers because it means the walleyes are not as pressured by anglers and they are more apt to relate to the quieter, calmer areas immediately offshore.