Winnibigoshish

Lake Winnibigoshish, otherwise known as Winnie or Big Winnie, is a large reservoir located immediately north of the community of Bena, Minnesota. Winnie was a natural lake that was impounded in the 1880's with a dam controlled by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). Today the USACE maintains water levels within a narrow band of elevation that gives the lake its current surface area of approximately 56,472 acres and a maximum depth of 69 feet. The surrounding geology contains a high proportion of sandy soils, providing an abundance of sandy shoreline with gradual slopes. With approximately 11 miles of open water between the north and south shores, the lake is prone to high wave action and frequent mixing of the water column when exposed to high winds. During the open water season, this keeps temperatures and oxygen levels much more uniform from the surface to the bottom of the lake, in comparison to smaller, more protected lakes with similar water depth. Sugar Lake, Cut Foot Sioux Lake, and Little Cut Foot Sioux Lake are all directly connected to Winnie. Some of the major tributaries include the First River flowage through Cut Foot Sioux Lake, the Third River, and the Mississippi River. Winnibigoshish is often thought of as a premier Walleye and Yellow Perch destination, but this lake offers angling opportunities for multiple species. Acknowledging the importance of this fishery, Winnibigoshish was included as one of ten lakes in the Large Lake Monitoring Program, which was developed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR) in 1983. Surveys are conducted on these lakes annually and typically include a suite of sampling methods that track trends in water quality, zooplankton, juvenile fish, periodic creel (angler) surveys, and the status of game fish targeted by anglers. Major changes have been occurring within the system over the past 15 years. These changes began around the time of the discovery of invasive Faucet Snails in 2007, followed by the detection of larval Zebra Mussels in 2012, and adult Zebra Mussels in 2016. These invasives are filter feeders that can dramatically increase water clarity and reduce the abundance of plankton available to fish. Prior to the introduction of these invasives, water clarity (measured with a Secchi disc) averaged 6 to 7 feet and the highest ever recorded was 10 feet. There has been a post-invasion trend of increasing water clarity in Winnibigoshish. Secchi disc readings in 2025 were not as high as the previous two years, but still well above average with a range of 7 to 22 feet. Increasing water clarity tends to improve habitat for Bass, Sunfish, and Northern Pike while decreasing habitat suitability for Walleye. Walleye is the primary management species in Winnie, and a large proportion of the field work completed is dedicated toward tracking the status of this species. The most important tool to assess the Walleye population is a gill net survey that is completed annually in September. The Walleye catch rate in the gill net survey was up from the 2024 survey year but still less than the historic average. Walleye recruitment (survival to the fishery) is naturally variable in any lake, and Winnie is no exception. Two year classes make up the majority of the Walleye in the lake. The 2023 year class averaged 14 inches in the fall of 2025 and are currently providing the majority of the harvest opportunities for anglers. The other most commonly caught age group is the 2019 year class. These have now mostly grown into the protected slot, with males averaging 18 inches and females averaging 20 inches. These two year classes are the most prolific in the lake currently but there were a total of 12 year classes sampled during the 2025 fall gill net survey, with the oldest being a 17 year old male. There is a history of high angling pressure on Yellow Perch in Winnibigoshish. Perch are also a valuable prey item for predators such as Walleye and Northern Pike. Perch catch rates in gill net surveys have been declining for about two decades. It is thought that the decline in Perch abundance is closely related to the decline in Tullibee, which are an important prey fish for Walleye and Northern Pike in Winnie. In more recent history, there were several years of poor Perch recruitment leading up to a record low gill net catch rate in 2022. However, in the past three years there has been good recruitment of young fish and catches have increased since then. Growth has been increasing the past several years and has now reached the point where some are reaching harvestable size two years earlier than average. Northern Pike is another popular species amongst Winnibigoshish anglers and spearers. Tributary inlet areas and connected waters provide a great deal of spawning habitat, which results in consistent recruitment of Northern Pike to the fishery. The population is generally characterized as having high abundance and relatively poor to moderate size structure when compared to other large lakes. In 2025 the fall gill net catch rate was low compared to historical catches for Winnibigoshish, but still within the expected range for similar lakes. The population peaked in abundance in 2017 and has stabilized at a lower level the past few years, which is likely one of the biggest factors in the recovery of the Perch population. Pike averaged 22 to 23 inches and ranged from about 16 to 33 inches during the fall gill net survey. An additional targeted survey was completed shortly after ice-out in 2025. Sizes caught during that survey ranged from 8 to 37 inches. Winnibigoshish is part of the north-central zone for Northern Pike regulations that includes a protected slot of 22 to 26 inches. Release of Northern Pike over 26 inches is encouraged to help improve the overall size structure of the population. Tullibee, otherwise known as Cisco, are an important prey fish in lakes where they occur, and at times can be a popular species for anglers to target. The population in Winnibigoshish has fluctuated over time, but has generally been trending down since annual surveys began in 1983. Over the past 15 years there has been a sharp decline in abundance. The gill net catch rate in 2025 was well below average for Winnie. The decline in the population is attributed to several factors. Tullibee feed primarily on zooplankton, which has decreased due to the presence of Zebra Mussels. Tullibee also require cold water and in some years the water temperatures in Winnibigoshish can surpass stressful or even lethal thresholds. The decline in Tullibee has changed the diet of predators such as Walleye and Northern Pike, which now primarily feed on Yellow Perch instead of Tullibees. Other species that may be of interest to anglers include Bluegill, Black Crappie, Burbot, Largemouth Bass, Rock Bass, and Muskellunge. Panfish and Bass in Winnie are typically low in abundance, with most of the population concentrated in certain areas of the lake where vegetation is abundant. Sunfish species are more commonly targeted in the Cut Foot Sioux chain. The popularity of that fishery and the high-quality size structure of the population led to the addition of a 5 fish bag limit for Sunfish throughout the entire Winnie reservoir. Muskellunge are difficult to sample in Winnie with traditional survey gear, making relatively accurate population estimates nearly impossible. It is generally accepted that this is a low-density population, and it is completely sustained by natural reproduction. Burbot are also difficult to assess with traditional open-water survey nets but appear to be popular with some anglers during the ice fishing season. Invasive species cause economic or environmental harm, or harm to human health. They are illegal to introduce into or move between state waters and can impact energy flow, food chains, and fish species assemblages. Current known invasive species in Winnibigoshish include Zebra Mussels, Faucet and Mystery Snails, and Starry Stonewort. Rusty Crayfish are found in Cass Lake upstream of Winnie, and one was found in a net immediately upstream of the lake in the Mississippi River in 2025. Crayfish are incidentally caught in gill nets and over the past three years over 1400 have been inspected to search for evidence of the presence of Rusty Crayfish. No Rusty Crayfish have been found in the lake as of 2025, but it is likely that this invasive will be found in Winnie in the near future. Changes in environmental conditions affect fish habitat and behavior, which likely affect fish sampling and angling success. Movement of any type of equipment that can trap or hold contaminated water, plant fragments or aquatic organisms can be a potential vector of spread if precautions are not taken. To avoid the spread of these unwanted species, ensure that all equipment is thoroughly cleaned and dried before moving to a new body of water. More information is available at https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/invasives/ais/index.html

Lake Winnibigoshish, otherwise known as Winnie or Big Winnie, is a large reservoir located immediately north of the community of Bena, Minnesota. Winnie was a natural lake that was impounded in the 1880's with a dam controlled by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). Today the USACE maintains water levels within a narrow band of elevation that gives the lake its current surface area of approximately 56,472 acres and a maximum depth of 69 feet. The surrounding geology contains a high proportion of sandy soils, providing an abundance of sandy shoreline with very gradual slopes. With approximately 11 miles of open water between the north and south shores, the lake is prone to high wave action and frequent mixing of the water column when exposed to high winds. During the open water season, this keeps temperatures and oxygen levels much more uniform from the surface to the bottom of the lake, in comparison to smaller, more protected lakes with similar water depth. Sugar Lake, Cut Foot Sioux Lake, and Little Cut Foot Sioux Lake are all directly connected to Winnie. Some of the major tributaries include the First River flowage through Cut Foot Sioux Lake, the Third River, and the Mississippi River. Winnibigoshish is often thought of as a premier Walleye and Yellow Perch destination, but this lake offers angling opportunities for multiple species. Acknowledging the importance of this fishery, Winnibigoshish was included as one of ten lakes in the Large Lake Monitoring Program, which was developed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR) in 1983. Surveys are conducted on these lakes annually and typically include a suite of sampling methods that track trends in water quality, zooplankton, juvenile fish, periodic creel (angler) surveys, and the status of game fish targeted by anglers. Major changes have been occurring within the system over the past 15 years. These changes began around the time of the discovery of invasive Faucet Snails in 2007, followed by the detection of larval Zebra Mussels in 2012, and adult Zebra Mussels in 2016. These invasives are filter feeders that can dramatically increase water clarity and reduce the abundance of plankton available to fish. Prior to the introduction of these invasives, water clarity (measured with a Secchi disc) averaged 6 to 7 feet and the highest ever recorded was 10 feet. There has been a post-invasion trend of increasing water clarity in Winnibigoshish, which continued during the 2024 field season when Secchi disc readings ranged from 9 to 27 feet. Increasing water clarity tends to improve habitat for Bass, Sunfish, and Northern Pike while decreasing habitat suitability for Walleye. Walleye is the primary management species in Winnie, and a large proportion of the field work completed is dedicated toward tracking the status of this species. The most important tool to assess the Walleye population is a gill net survey that is completed annually in September. The Walleye catch rate in the gill net survey was down from the previous year, and lower than the historic average. Walleye recruitment (survivability to the fishery) is naturally variable in any lake, and Winnie is no exception. The strongest year classes in recent history that are still present in the lake include the 2013, 2018, and 2019 year-classes. The very prolific 2019 year-class makes up much of the Walleye currently available to anglers. Males from this year class averaged 17 inches while females averaged 19 inches. The previously strong 2018 year-class now makes up a small percentage of the Walleye population and is likely due to a combination of high angler harvest and natural mortality. The 2013 year-class was 11 years old at the time of the fall survey, but there are still some that persist in Winnie. Winnibigoshish and its connected lakes currently have a protected slot of 18 to 23 inches for Walleye. The slot protects some spawning stock and promotes recycling of a portion of the population that is typically subjected to a high rate of harvest. As the 2019 year-class grows into the protected slot anglers will be looking ahead to the next year class that will provide "eater sized" Walleye to harvest. The 2020, 2021, and 2022 year classes were below average, but the 2023 year class is projected to be above average. The 2023 Walleyes averaged 10 inches during the fall gill net survey, and by the end of the 2025 growing season these should be approaching the size range of interest to anglers seeking harvestable sized fish. There is a history of high angling pressure on Yellow Perch in Winnibigoshish. Perch are also a valuable prey item for predators such as Walleye and Northern Pike. Perch catch rates in gill net surveys have been declining for about two decades. In more recent history, there were several years of poor Perch recruitment leading up to a record low gill net catch rate in 2022. However, in the past two years there has been a record high number of age-2 Perch captured by gill nets which has brought the catch rate back within the expected range for Winnie. Perch growth has also been increasing in recent years. Some year classes sampled in the fall gill nets were nearly two years ahead of average growth rates. Northern Pike is another popular species amongst Winnibigoshish anglers and spearers. Tributary inlet areas and connected waters provide a great deal of spawning habitat, which results in consistent recruitment of Northern Pike to the fishery. The population is generally characterized as having high abundance and relatively poor to moderate size structure when compared to other large lakes. In 2024 the fall gill net catch rates were low compared to historical catches for Winnibigoshish, but still within the expected range for similar lakes. The population peaked in abundance in 2017 and has stabilized at a lower level the past few years. Winnibigoshish is part of the north-central zone for Northern Pike regulations that includes a protected slot of 22 to 26 inches. Release of Northern Pike over 26 inches is encouraged to help improve the overall size structure of the population. About one-third of the gill net sampled Pike were within the protected slot limit, and lengths ranged from 15 to 35 inches. Tullibee, otherwise known as Cisco, are an important prey fish in lakes where they occur, and at times can be a popular species for anglers to target. The population in Winnibigoshish has fluctuated over time, but over the past 15 years there has been a sharp decline in abundance. The gill net catch rate in 2024 was the second lowest ever recorded for Winnie surveys. The decline in the population is attributed to several factors. Tullibee feed primarily on zooplankton, which has decreased due to the presence of Zebra Mussels. Tullibee also require cold water and in some years the water temperatures in Winnibigoshish can surpass stressful or even lethal thresholds. Other species that may be of interest to anglers include Bluegill, Black Crappie, Burbot, Largemouth Bass, Rock Bass, and Muskellunge. Panfish and Bass in Winnie are typically low in abundance, with most of the population concentrated in certain areas of the lake where vegetation is abundant. Sunfish species are more commonly targeted in the Cut Foot Sioux chain. The popularity of that fishery and the high-quality size structure of the population led to the addition of a 5 fish bag limit for Sunfish throughout the entire Winnie reservoir. Muskellunge are difficult to sample in Winnie with traditional survey gear, making relatively accurate population estimates nearly impossible. It is generally accepted that this is a low-density population, and it is completely sustained by natural reproduction. Burbot are also difficult to assess with traditional open-water survey nets but appear to be popular with some anglers during the ice fishing season. Invasive species cause economic or environmental harm, or harm to human health. They are illegal to introduce into or move between state waters and can impact energy flow, food chains, and fish species assemblages. Current known invasive species in Winnibigoshish include Zebra Mussels, Faucet and Mystery Snails, and Starry Stonewort. Changes in environmental conditions affect fish habitat and behavior, which likely affect fish sampling and angling success. Gill net catches have likely been influenced by these changes, especially since water clarity began to increase. Movement of any type of equipment that can trap or hold contaminated water, plant fragments or aquatic organisms can be a potential vector of spread if precautions are not taken. To avoid the spread of these unwanted species, ensure that all equipment is thoroughly cleaned and dried before moving to a new body of water. More information is available at https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/invasives/ais/index.html

Lake Winnibigoshish, otherwise known as Winnie or Big Winnie, is a large reservoir located immediately north of the community of Bena, Minnesota. Winnie was a natural lake that was impounded in the 1880's with a dam controlled by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). Today the USACE maintains water levels within a narrow band of elevation that gives the lake its current surface area of approximately 56,472 acres and a maximum depth of 69 feet. The surrounding geology contains a high proportion of sandy soils, providing an abundance of sandy shoreline with very gradual slopes. With approximately 11 miles of open water between the north and south shores, the lake is prone to high wave action and frequent mixing of the water column when exposed to high winds. During the open water season, this keeps temperatures and oxygen levels much more uniform from the surface to the bottom of the lake, in comparison to smaller, more protected lakes with similar water depth. Some of the major tributaries to Winnibigoshish include the First River flowage through Cut Foot Sioux Lake, the Third River, and the Mississippi River. Winnibigoshish is often thought of as a premier Walleye and Yellow Perch destination but offers angling opportunities for multiple other species as well. Acknowledging the importance of this fishery, Winnibigoshish was included as one of ten lakes in the Large Lake Monitoring Program, which was developed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources in 1983. Surveys are conducted on these lakes annually and typically include a suite of sampling methods that track trends in water quality, zooplankton, juvenile fish, periodic creel surveys, and the current status of game fish targeted by anglers. Major changes have been occurring within the system over the past 15 years. These changes began around the time of the discovery of invasive Faucet Snails in 2007, followed by the detection of larval Zebra Mussels in 2012, and adult Zebra Mussels in 2016. Filter feeding invasives can dramatically increase water clarity and reduce the abundance of plankton available to fish, including many species found in the lake during their juvenile life stage. Prior to the introduction of these invasives, water clarity (measured with a Secchi disc) averaged 6 to 7 feet and the highest ever recorded was 10 feet. There has been a post-invasion trend of increasing water clarity in Winnibigoshish, which continued during the 2023 field season when Secchi disc readings ranged from 10.5 to a record setting 27 feet. Walleye is the primary management species in Winnie, and a large proportion of the field work completed is dedicated toward tracking the current status of this species. Walleye catch rates in fall survey nets were up from the previous year, and within the expected range for the lake. The Winnibigoshish Walleye population is supported by both fry stocking and some natural reproduction. In years with the right conditions Walleye year classes tend to boom with one strong year class, which is often followed by multiple weak year classes. The 2019 year class is the most recent strong year class, making up about two-thirds of the total number of Walleye caught in the sample nets this year. These are averaging 16 inches and most reached maturity over the past year. The 2013 year class was also strong, and some of these older fish are still in the system. There is a protected slot of 18 to 23 inches for Walleye, with the intent to protect some of the spawning stock while still providing ample harvest opportunities for anglers. Ten percent of the Walleye caught in the fall survey nets in 2023 were within the protected slot of 18 to 23 inches. There is a history of heavy angling pressure on Yellow Perch in Winnibigoshish. Perch are also a valuable prey item for predators such as Walleye and Northern Pike. Perch catch rates in fall gill nets have had a declining trend for several years, caused by a lack of recruitment of young fish. Perch reach sizes large enough to be effectively sampled in fall gill nets at a size of five to six inches, which is reached during their third growing season. By 2022 there had been several years in a row with very few Yellow Perch surviving to this age, leading to record low abundance and a population consisting of mostly older fish. Fortunately, in 2023 catch rates did increase due to an increase in young fish from the 2021 year class showing up in the catch. However, catch rates are still below the expected range for the lake. It is difficult to identify one sole cause for the declining trend in abundance with a lake that has undergone such dramatic physical change in recent years. Changes in the zooplankton community due to Zebra Mussels may be leading to lower survival through the first year. There has also been a sharp decline in Tullibee (Cisco) abundance, which would shift more predation pressure toward Yellow Perch. Northern Pike abundance peaked in 2017, followed by the strong 2019 year class of Walleye and both of these predators feed heavily on Yellow Perch. A combination of these and other factors all likely played a role in the decline of Yellow Perch abundance in recent years. While the population has declined in abundance, growth rates appear to be increasing. Northern Pike is another popular species amongst Winnibigoshish anglers. Tributary inlet areas and connected waters provide a great deal of spawning habitat, which results in consistent recruitment of Northern Pike to the fishery. The population is generally characterized as having high abundance and relatively poor to moderate size structure when compared to other large lakes. Pike tend to have slower growth and poor condition (how heavy a fish is for its length) when population densities are high. In 2023 the fall gill net catch rates were low when compared to historical catches for Winnibigoshish, but still near the top of the expected range for similar lakes. The population peaked in abundance in 2017 and has stabilized at a lower level the past few years. There was a declining trend in condition over the past decade when Northern Pike abundance was high and prey abundance was declining. This trend turned around in 2023 when condition improved to a 10 year high. This is an indicator that prey was abundant in 2023, likely in the form of a good year class of Tullibee Cisco or Yellow Perch. Winnibigoshish is part of the north-central zone for Northern Pike regulations that includes a protected slot of 22 to 26 inches. Release of Northern Pike over 26 inches is encouraged to help improve the overall size structure of the population. About one-fourth of the Northern Pike sampled in 2023 were within the protected slot limit. Tullibee (Cisco) are an important prey item in lakes where they occur, and at times can be a popular gamefish for anglers. The population in Winnibigoshish has fluctuated over time, but over the past 15 years there has been a steady decline in abundance. Similar to Yellow Perch, the Tullibee catch rates rebounded slightly in 2023 but remain below the expected range. The increase in catch was largely due to the recruitment of young fish that had been lacking in recent years. The 2021 year class made up about one-third of the sample and averaged 8 inches. The decline in the population is likely a combination of several factors. Tullibee feed primarily on zooplankton, which has decreased due to the presence of Zebra Mussels. Tullibee also require cold water and in some years the water temperatures in Winnibigoshish can surpass stressful or even lethal thresholds. Muskellunge are another gamefish in Winnibigoshish. Available sampling methods are not sufficiently effective to complete population estimates, but it is generally believed to be a low density population that is supported entirely by natural reproduction. Black Crappie, Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, and Burbot also exist in Winnibigoshish, but according to creel surveys the hours spent targeting these species is low in comparison to Walleye, Yellow Perch, and Northern Pike. A five fish bag limit for sunfish on Winnibigoshish will begin in 2024 to simplify enforcement, as this special regulation currently exists on the connected Cut Foot Sioux and Little Cut Foot Sioux lakes and anglers commonly travel between all three lakes. Invasive species are not native to Minnesota and cause economic or environmental harm, or harm to human health. They are illegal to introduce into or move between state waters and can impact energy flow, food chains, and fish species assemblages. Current known invasive species in Winnibigoshish include Zebra Mussels, Faucet and Mystery Snails, and Starry Stonewort. Changes in environmental conditions affect fish habitat and behavior, which likely affect fish sampling and angling success. Gill net catches have likely been influenced by these changes, especially since the establishment of Zebra Mussels. Zebra Mussels are an efficient filter feeder that have been shown to impact energy transfer and aquatic food webs. The overall decrease in pounds of fish sampled in gill nets since the establishment of Zebra Mussels suggests that there has been a decrease in overall carrying capacity for fish. Movement of any type of equipment that can trap or hold contaminated water, plant fragments or aquatic organisms can be a potential vector of spread if precautions are not taken. To avoid the spread of these unwanted species, ensure that all equipment is thoroughly cleaned and dried before moving to a new body of water. More information is available at https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/invasives/ais/index.html

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Muskellunge, Hybrid Sunfish, Walleye, Pumpkinseed, and Bluegill in Winnibigoshish. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Minnesota DNR records list public access for Winnibigoshish. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for the launch type and directions before you go.

Winnibigoshish has a maximum depth of 69.8 feet and a mean depth of 15.1 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Winnibigoshish is from 2025.

Yes — Winnibigoshish has confirmed faucet snail, starry stonewort, and zebra mussel. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.