It’s a crisp, early morning on Lake Winnipeg, and the sky is painted with the soft pastels of dawn. Old-timers say that’s the best time to catch the legendary giant walleyes that glide like shadows in the deep.

For me, though, this was my first time being at the lake, and it was… incredible. The sunrise is incomparable when you’re sitting on the ice, waiting for that stubborn fish to bite in the bitter cold. 

It takes patience to get walleyes to bite. So, three hours in, my uncle and I doubled up. He caught a 30½” walleye, and I reeled in a 27″. Both were equally beautiful.

If you ever want to catch a walleye (and are willing to take the time to find the big ones), this is the spot to go to. Even though it is usually freezing and windy, you will get a good day and hammer the local walleyes.

One of the things that motivates most people to visit are the incredible size of the fish and their color — they get their color from the limestone deposit in the lake, which, to me, is a very interesting fun fact.

As an avid fisherman, I am honored to have had the opportunity to fish on Lake Winnipeg, and I strongly suggest that others take advantage of the same opportunity.

It is important to respect the local ecosystem and other fishermen.