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OUTDOOR ADVENTURES
- Fishing
Fishing Calendar
DECEMBER-JANUARY
Ice Fishing Season heats up with first ice coming round the second week of December. Start shallow for walleyes and move deeper as the season progresses. Sauger and perch can be located near channel areas and in the deeper mud flats. Also look for prominent activity along edges of rock reefs or on top of ridged structure. Shallow bays offer an opportunity for early pursuit of northern pike with both spearing and angling methods popular.
FEBRUARY-MARCH
Saugers remain deep and are more aggressive throughout the day during this period. Walleyes in the mud tend to be early morning or late afternoon. The "night bite" on Lake of the Woods is virtually non-existent due to the heavily stained color of the water. Therefore hope for bright sunshine and hot mid-day action. Late winter walleyes can once again be found returning to the shallows. Northern pike in turn repeat their return to bay areas and produce real trophies through the ice.
APRIL 
Early spring walleyes, on the move toward spawning grounds, offer an excellent open water bite on the Rainy River. Meanwhile, opportunities remain available on ice, conditions pending weather, for late season fishermen to successfully land walleyes and saugers. Our season comes to a close mid April with only northern pike and smallmouth remaining continuous.
MAY
A mid-May opener generally finds post span walleyes in transition from the Rainy River back toward the Lake of the Woods. Predominantly aggressive are the average-sized 1 to 1 1/2 pound males that are caught with traditional jig and minnow combinations. Edges of river channels and flats are a good bet when worked with slow presentation in the colder spring season water. Also becoming active are post spawn northern pike that are in shallow bays during this period. And smallmouth bass, another best kept secret here on Lake of the Woods, are peaking during their spawn and can be found extremely active.
JUNE
Early June marks the beginning of what can be the fastest and most productive time frame for shoreline walleyes. As the water temperature warms, anglers trolling or drifting live bait along island or mainland shorelines can expect impressive numbers of slot fish or eaters, as many will refer to them. The areas being worked most frequently are shallow sandy bottoms. Northern pike are roaming weed lines as their feeding intensity increases. Crankbaits, spoons, and spinnerbaits can all be productive. Check out smallmouth bass river fishing.
JULY-AUGUST
For walleye of trophy proportion the time is now. Water temps are peaking, moving fish to mid-lake mud flats and rock reef areas. Walleyes can be found both on shallow on rocks or deep on the flats. Regardless, the big fish are vulnerable and can provide an impressive experience. Bait fishing over reefs with jigs, three way rigs, bottom bouncers or spinner rigs are proven methods. If trolling in the mud flats, try using downriggers, planer boards, leadcore etc., with crankbaits. Walleyes can be found in deeper waters of the Rainy River by trolling deep divers. All methods can produce during this traditional trophy season.
SEPTEMBER
This month look for transition. Pending water temps, walleyes may hold on to summer patterns, or begin their fall behavior. Multiple techniques may produce in many areas. The key to success is the location of active schools and proper presentations. Smallmouth bass congregate, with an opportunity to land size and numbers. Search shallow flats, points of reefs, or Rainy River for action. Once again, numerous techniques apply here and can produce fish of trophy proportion. Northern pike are also on the move and begin increasing activity in popular spring time locations.
OCTOBER-NOVEMBER
Falling water temps trigger walleyes and put them on the move. In deep drop offs along islands or shelves of channel areas look for baitfish and find walleyes close behind. Fall fishing with jig and minnow combo is the most common, with long lining and crankbaits also effective if you find them on the move over shallow flats. Don't element the possibility of aggressive saugers in middepth range of mud flats feasting on bait fish. Water clarity is important during this time, and with patience, trophy walleyes can be landed in lake or river.
To order additional information Click Here or call 1-800-382-FISH.
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