The northern pike is one of Minnesota’s largest and easiest fish to catch. Found in in nearly every Minnesota lake and river, the northern pike is a voracious predator known for powerful runs that strip line from your reel. Though somewhat challenging to fillet, the northern pike is excellent table fare. If you haven’t fished for northern pike you should. It’s a cool fish. This is quoted from the Minnesota DNR. Ice fishing for northern pike | Minnesota DNR (state.mn.us)

Pike Season on Lake of the Woods gives anglers something to shoot for every season of the year. As the winter season starts coming to an end in this border region, anglers hit to the bays and start using tip-ups to catch fast fighting fish called the Northern Pike. The mixture calls for the tip-up, a lawn chair, a bucket for your catch, sunshine, sunglasses and enthusiasm for the catch.

The best way to catch northern pike in winter is to use a tip-up rig. A tip-up rig is different than a rod-and-reel combination because there is no rod at all. Instead, a tip-up is an apparatus in which the reel is placed in the hole you drilled, and when a fish unspools line a signal flag “tips up.” Tip-ups can be purchased at virtually any bait shop or retail fishing outlet.

Once you have lowered your tip-up line into the water it is largely a waiting game. It is smart to check your sucker or shiner minnow every half hour or so, and even to jig it once in a while. Still, northern pike tip-up fishing is mostly waiting for a flag to pop up. Check out Facebook for the Igloo Bar and see what the bartender has pulled through the holes this winter. Many many trophy pike!

Lake of the Woods is known as a trophy pike lake with many, many big pike over 40 inches caught each year.  Right now as the ice is soon going out and the pike are beginning to stage for the spawn is a popular time for anglers to catch pike in their pre-spawn areas as the not only get congregated, but the feed bag is on.

Pike season on Lake of the Woods is open all year long.  As mentioned, right now during the pre-spawn, ice fishing for huge pike is happening with good results.  As the ice starts to move out, bays come into play.  Back bays of the Rainy River, 4 Mile Bay, Bostic Creek, Zippel Bay and shoreline areas with ditches along Muskeg Bay near the Rocky Point areas can be big pike magnets.

One of the local resorts offers an Ice-Out Northern Pike Tournament where people from all around team up to catch these great fighters. Now Lake of the Woods is known for its walleye and there are anglers who don’t want to save the northerns, however, this writer knows first-hand how great those cold water northerns can taste in that fry pan. Check out one of our recent blogs at www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com for tips from Target Walleye on using tip-ups for the catch.

March is a month pike are putting the feedbag on for the upcoming spawn. They congregate adjacent to spawning areas. The pike season on LOW does not close. One angler said this, “I recommend taking a break and get up to Lake of the Woods and hook into a fish of a lifetime!!” Remember ice stays on Lake of the Woods well into April most times and portable ice houses can be used during this time frame. Otherwise, use your snowmobile or your four-wheeler and head out for some great fishing.

Open water will soon be upon us also and those northern pike love to chase after dare devils on the end of your line. They fight a great fight being dragged into the boat and give the angler a thrill to land that fish. Whether small or large, the northern pike feels like you’ve caught a log but, in actuality, this fighting monster brings a thrill for a lifetime adventure. Come looking for your trophy this spring and come again with your boat for both pike and the wonderful walleye.

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There is still time to take a March snowmobiling trip or a fishing trip via snowmobile. Being as far north as we are has its benefits such as thicker ice, more snow, and extended seasons. Right now resorts houses are sitting on 30 inches of ice. We have roughly 2 feet of snow in most areas. Our fish houses can be left overnight through March 31st and our walleye season remains open through April 14.

March is a special time for snowmobiling in the northland. The brutal cold has usually gone away and sunny warm weather days are on the horizon. This gives anglers a few more opportunities to fish outside for pike to chase flags. Snowmobilers find this season to be their favorite time of the year to explore wooded areas or lake trails.

Here’s a quote that northern Minnesota people live by.  “If you choose not to find joy in the snow, you will have less joy in your life but still the same amount of snow.” That’s what I love about living in the north country. People ask what we do up here. Aren’t we bored? Stay inside all time? Absolutely not!!! When the weather turns to snow and cold, people in the north ramp up and are excited about the season and all the attributes that it brings.

Lake of the Woods trails get a good amount of traffic in March compared to the rest of the winter. Here is a brief description of the trails around the area.

Did you know Lake of the Woods has over 300 miles of beautifully groomed snowmobiling trails for riders? There are many land trails that trace around the county, as well as some groomed trails at Zippel Bay State Park. The land trails are kept up by the local Drifters Club, a great resource is their website at LOW Drifters Snowmobile Club. They are having an event this weekend.

Another great club that takes over the northern part of the lake called the NW Angle is the Edge Riders.  They groom 152 miles of trails over some of the most picturesque landscape the U.S. has to offer.  Bordering Canada, this area is full of islands, full service resorts and great food and drink.

Trails run from the Rainy River, to the NW Angle, across to Warroad, and back across the South Shore towards the Rainy River. There is a warming house on Garden Island for those that like to stop, reboot, and enjoy some scenery while snowmobiling across the lake. It is a great way to also get along the Rainy River or other areas of the lake to hit the secret fishing hole in out of the way spots along the trail.

The trail from the south end of the lake up to the NW Angle runs entirely in MN and is over 40 miles long all on the lake.  Once up to the NW Angle, there are resorts, gasoline and other services to make your trip enjoyable.

There is always much to see when you are snowmobiling Lake of the Woods. Whether you prefer open lakes, wooded pathways, or side roads there is a trail for you here! Here’s a cool fact about the current situation on the lake.

Off of Zippel Bay, near the Igloo Bar on the ice, people cleared out the snow and created a new ice arena for skaters. Then along side of that they put a horse-shoe court. Now this is the way to enjoy the end of a beautiful winter season. There’s still time to come and enjoy every part of it.  See you very soon. Grab your sled and your friends and come to Lake of the Woods to explore this great March season.

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For all fishing regulations see: Lake of the Woods and Rainy River Information (state.mn.us)

 

 

Winter is still here, but spring is coming soon and anglers are already booking their charter boat trips. Resort owners are filling their books fast and NOW is the time to plan. Fish houses are still traveling the roads and the ice up here, but very soon they will be replaced by charter boats being moved to their respective resorts.

This year, consider a Lake of the Woods charter boat.  They are a great way to plan a trip to Lake of the Woods when you don’t know the lake, don’t have the right boat, are a novice angler, or want something family friendly?  A guided fishing trip aboard a big charter boat is a great solution to all your worries. Here are the TOP TEN reasons to book a charter trip when you visit Lake of the Woods.

1. “So easy a caveman can do it,” is the perfect slogan for charter fishing. Whether you have a family that needs a little extra guidance, a novice angler yourself, or just really want to be on vacation and not worry about a thing; charter fishing is the way to go. Guides and their resort take care of you all day from when the boat leaves at 8 from the dock, until after hours when they even clean the fish for you if that is what you choose. Families with children, guys and girls getaways, even those with special requests love the luxuries of a charter boat.
2. Don’t know the lake like the back of your hand? No problem! Many anglers, even if they bring their own boat, will rent a charter for the day to get a feel for the lake and a “lay of the land,” if you will. Having a lake large enough to have charters can be a little unsettling to maneuver, but with a charter, it is one less worry.
3. Fish ANYWHERE on the lake. Charters are a smooth ride anywhere on Lake of the Woods or Rainy River. Starting in the spring, walleyes feast in more shallow water off of Pine Island. Mid-summer, walleyes are very deep and charters travel across the lake to find fish with ease. Windy days they slip into the river for a sheltered day.
4. Jigging to Down Rigging. All types of fishing are welcome on a charter. Jigging and spinners in the spring and summer. Down rigging is a special feature on charter boats in the late summer and fall the options are endless. Pick your favorite method and set the hook!

   

5. BATHROOMS. Yes ladies, you read correctly! A “potty” is available in the lower deck of the charter when you just can’t hold it any longer.
6. All equipment is provided. This includes rods, reels, bait, life jackets and more to make fishing a breeze! When fishing on a charter you only have to ask yourself 2 questions:
7. What should I wear and what should I eat?? Lunch is always an option on a charter. If you want to hit the water all day, choose a sack lunch including a sandwich, cookie, chips, and a pop made fresh that morning so you never miss the bite. Option two is the Traditional Shore Lunch special to Lake of the Woods. A picnic made fresh of the morning’s catch cooked on shore with a million-dollar view! To learn more about a shore lunch, read it HERE.
8. Large or mixed groups. Charter fishing is great for groups. Each boat can carry 6 passengers plus their guide, plenty of opportunity for lots of limits! If you are a smaller group of two or three or four and want to save a buck; the resort may mix you with another small group to fill the boat. Also a great way to meet people!
9. Always on the fish! With over 50 resorts on Lake of the Woods, licensed charter captains are always on the move to find the day’s hot spot. Guides are constantly networking while on the water to ensure as much success as possible for anglers on the boat.
10. The American Plan. It has never been so easy to plan a vacation. The American Plan is an all-in-one package that includes your stay (cabin or room), charter rental, and even your meals if you so choose. Check out our Hot Deals link on our website.  No one wants to mess around with multiple bills, with the American plan you pay one package amount, show up… and the rest is history!
11. Cook up your fish! After fishing on the charter all day, who wants to cook? Good news here, guides will clean your fish for you and deliver the to the resort kitchen. Staff will then cook up a delicious meal for all to enjoy, especially when you know you caught them. What a great way to spend a vacation!!!

If you would like to book a charter fishing trip, contact one of the many resorts around Lake of the Woods. Remember there are two things you need to plan for a day on a charter, “What to wear and what to eat”.  Everything else is taken care of!

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