A “greenback” is an emerald/iridescent green walleye people believe is unique to Lake Winnipeg, Manitoba. No matter if they’re big or small…things are absolutely gorgeous! Might actually be the definition of the [heart-eyes emoji]:

Their B-E-A-utiful greenish coloration comes from the limestone-rich waters of the northern basin of Lake Winnipeg. Some say the greener the fish, the “fresher” they are to the south basin…or maybe it’s from all that MTN DEW they chug before making the trek? Lol! Eventually the green will fade/blend into a more white-ish look.

Either way they’re cool to look at and an absolute BLAST to catch.

Not sure there’s a more fun way to catch walleyes than rippin’ a rattlebait [!!] and those Lake Winnipeg fish are notorious for scarfing ’em up. So much so that when I’m trying to pack light — and throw together my “one box” for the day — it looks like this. #RattlebaitBuffet

Case you missed it, I dropped a vid talking about a few rattlebaits I never leave home without, along with some tricks for how I fish each of ’em.

I use the same techniques on lakes ’round home too…just usually like to downsize the rattlebaits to something a little more edible the clearer the water is.

Btw all the gear I used (sizes, weights, rods, reels, you name it) is linked in the vid’s description. Hope you dig it!

Of course you still gotta have a few fluttery-buttery spoons with in case Mother Nature throws you a curveball and the bite is “off.”

Really like adding a feathered treble — like the VMC Dressed X-Rap Treble Hook — to any spoon I’m slinging. Couple of my go-to spoons are the PK Flutterfish (top) and Clam Peg Flutter Spoon (bottom):

Came across a pair of local favorites while snooping around Smoke N Fish bait shop in Selkirk, MB. I’m yet to see these spoons on this side of the border, but can confirm they kill it on Lake Winnipeg — the Pelican Lures Flutter/Trolling Spoons (top) and Xstream Tackle Rattle Stix (bottom):

NWT pro John Hoyer also switches to BIG flutter spoons for tough(er) midday bites. “Big” as in spoons that are actually designed for salmon.

Couple of the best catchers from his last trip up were a “sarge” color 4″ Original Moonshine Trolling Spoon (top) and the “viseen” color 4″ Moonshine RV Series Trolling Spoon (bottom):

He said the best way to fish ’em is to NOT mark it the entire time: Let it flutter waaaay outside the cone angle of the flasher…catch it about 6″ off bottom and shake it back to center.

Literally tries to shut his brain off to the fact there’s a fish on the graph and does not change up how he works the bait. Sorta opposite of the MN deeper-water game where you’re (typically) playing keep away in the cone. Clearly it works for him:

All that being said, I recommend NOT fishing with flutter spoons during lunchtime unless you’re okay with the constant interruptions lol:

Not many places you can throw up a triple-digit day ice fishing for walleyes — AND do it with rattlebaits (aka lipless cranks) — welcome to Lake Winnipeg in Manitoba!

Sure Lake Winnipeg is known for its giant “greenback” walleyes, but it’s also an incredible spot to get into some ridiculous numbers of fish, too…. Quality AND quantity? [fist-bump emoji] Sign me up!

We heard some gnarly weather was rolling though, so we booked a DIY SnoBear rental through IceBound Excursions. That way no matter what sort of nastiness Mother Nature threw our way, we knew we could get out fishing and get back in one piece. Oh, and kicking our feet up with the thermostat set to 70°F was a nice change of pace too (lol).

Now sit back, relax, and commence with the whacking. #FlasherCam

Now that the walleye season is closed for most of MN (besides border waters) I’m thinking I better head north for some #MarchMadness next….

Gotta little bit of everything, and it all seem to grow to stupid-big-dumb sizes…

Rainbows:

…and Lake trout:

…and gators, oh my:

Big shout-out to fishing YouTuber Clayton Schick for putting in the work!