On the south end…  Very few anglers out this past week on the big lake. A combination of a blanket of snow combined with the deer hunting tradition has most anglers waiting for ice.
Last report, good numbers of walleyes and saugers were in various spots across the south shore chasing schools of shiners. The ideal depth was 22 – 26 feet of water. Typically, these fish will hold till early ice conditions allow anglers access. Early ice fishing could be good.
Back bays are iced up. The lake and larger bays are still wide open.
Hoar Frost
The 10 day forecast shows above freezing temps, which is normal this time of year. Mother Nature determines, but traditionally, day houses start going out around December 10th, give or take. Are you ready?
Resorts and outfitters are working hard making sure fish houses, light ice rigs, bombers, plows, augers, stakes for ice roads / trails, signs and other necessary equipment are ready to roll when it’s time. We encourage working through resorts and outfitters and staying on marked trails for safety only when they give the green light, which will be a while.
On the Rainy River…  Shiners continue to run in the Rainy River in good numbers. Some nice walleyes being caught for the few anglers willing to brave the weather.
Jigging with emerald shiners has also been catching the majority of fish in the river. Target depths range from 8 – 24 feet of water.
Anglers who are targeting sturgeon are having good action as the fish are active.
The river is still open and free of ice.
Up at the NW Angle… Much like the south end of the lake, fishing for most is pretty much wrapped up. Back bays and harbors have a skim of ice and most boats are pulled.
Fall fishing was strong and good numbers of walleyes have resorts and anglers optimistic for the winter season.
Lodging, fish house rentals, ice fishing, and meal packages for the upcoming ice fishing season at www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/Lodging.
On the south end…Â Â A very strong bite continues, the fish are there, but a late October snowfall of about 6 inches has halted most fishing.
Good numbers of walleyes and saugers continue targeting big schools of emerald shiners in the lake. 24- 26 feet of water, give or take, has been producing nice limits from Pine Island, Morris Point, Zippel Bay and Long Point.
Jigging with emerald shiners, rainbows or fatheads working well. Emerald shiners are preferred by many as a walleye natural forage. Gold, pink, orange, glow white and red or a combo has been good colors.
Zippel Bay Ice Skim
A skim of ice showing up in back bays.
On the Rainy River…  Shiners continue to run in the Rainy River in good numbers. Nice walleyes being caught for thise willing to brave the weather.
Jigging with emerald shiners has also been catching the majority of fish in the river.
Target depths range from 8 – 24 feet of water depending upon what part of the river you are fishing.
The river is still open and free of ice.
Up at the NW Angle…Â Walleye fishing finished strong on both sides of the border up at the Angle.
Some harbors and far back bays are making ice and open water fishing is coming to a halt.
Lodging, fish house rentals, ice fishing, and meal packages for the upcoming ice fishing season at www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/Lodging.
On the south end…  A very strong bite along the south shore of Lake of the Woods. Nice numbers of walleyes and saugers are targeting big schools of emerald shiners in the lake. The target depth is 26 feet of water, give or take, with nice limits being caught from Pine Island, Morris Point, Zippel Bay and Long Point.
Most anglers are jigging with an emerald shiner, rainbow or fathead. Jig colors of gold, pink, orange, glow white and red or a combo of those colors have been consistent.
Some anglers are still trolling lead core and catching walleyes and saugers, but most anglers are jigging with great success.
On the Rainy River…  Shiners continue to run in the Rainy River, and to nobody’s surprise, walleye fishing continues to get better and better.  Most fish so far have been nice eater fish with small fish mixed in. Those targeting big walleyes are hoping the deer hunting tradition of putting out big fish continues.
Two methods are catching most of the walleyes. Jigging with emerald shiners and trolling crankbaits with lead core line or 3 way rigs are both catching walleyes. Jigging produced nice eater walleyes this week.
Big Sturgeon on the Rainy River
Target depths range from 8 – 24 feet of water depending upon what part of the river you are fishing.
As is the norm on Lake of the Woods, a mixed bag with pike, jumbo perch, sturgeon, crappies and smallmouth bass in the mix as well.
Up at the NW Angle…Â Â Walleye fishing is strong on both sides of the border up at the Angle.
Points, reefs, flats and neck down areas with current in 17 – 22 feet continue to hold good numbers of walleyes and anglers are reporting big numbers of fish. Most anglers are catching fish jigging primarily.
Pike, smallmouth bass, jumbo perch, crappies and muskies have been active as well.
Lodging, fish house rentals, ice fishing, and meal packages for the upcoming ice fishing season at www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/Lodging.
On the south end…  The waters are getting cooler and the jig bite is picking up. Some great walleye reports this past week from across the lake. Most are focused on walleyes, but the pike, smallmouth bass, jumbo perch and crappies are showing up nicely also.
There are two main techniques catching walleyes. Trolling crankbaits and jigging with an emerald shiner are doing very well.
Trolling lead core line with crankbaits in 24′ -28′ has been productive. Walleyes are hitting both minnow and shad style crankbaits. Rotate crankbaits with size, color, noise and trolling speed to get fish dialed in.
Vertical jigging over the side of the boat, either anchored or spot locked, has been doing well. Jig colors of gold, pink, orange, glow white and red or a combo of those colors have been consistent.
Limit of Walleye and Sauger
Various good reports along the south shore which is setting up nicely for early ice fishing season in early to mid December.
On the Rainy River…  Shiners continue to run in the Rainy River. Millions of these shiny silver fish continue making their way into the river with walleyes slowly making their way in as well.
Fishing reports have been mixed. Some anglers are getting nice limits of walleyes while others are reporting a lot of small fish with some eaters mixed in. Most are catching a mixed bag including pike, smallmouth bass and crappies.
Two methods are catching most of the walleyes. Trolling crankbaits with lead core line or 3 way rigs to cover water and jigging when fish are more concentrated or swimming through. Good reports in 16 – 24 feet of water.
Up at the NW Angle…Â Â Walleye fishing up at the Angle continues to be very good on both sides of the border.
Walleyes are being caught on points, reefs, flats and neck down areas with current in 17 – 22 feet. They are being caught jigging primarily, but those casting or trolling crankbaits are doing well too.
The colder water has the pike, smallmouth bass, jumbo perch, crappies and muskies all fired up as well.  Ice is just around the corner!
On the south end…  Good numbers of walleyes are being caught, but you have to find them! Some reports are just okay, scratching out a limit. Others are putting good numbers in the boat.
It’s good fishing right now. Fall is a season of transition. Once you find them, things normally work out. Shiners are running up the river and into some bays. Walleyes are starting to show up in their traditional fall spots, in some cases.
With the unseasonably warm weather, spinners and crankbaits are still working well. Anglers choosing to jig are reporting good action as well.
Trolling lead core line with crankbaits between Zippel Bay and Morris Point in 28′ has been productive as of late. When these fish get more congregated, jigging will be a fun way to catch them.
A good number of charters are still running north. Pulling spinners and jigging have both produced.
A mixed bag for most anglers. Some big crappies are in the mix this year, often over 14 inches. Pike, smallmouth bass and perch are active as well.
On the Rainy River…  Shiners continue to run in the Rainy River. Millions of these shiny silver fish are on the move and showing up under lights at the end of resort docks.
Big Pike Flag Island
Fishing reports on the river are mixed, some anglers super happy with nice fish, others reporting catching a lot of small fish. The heavy run hasn’t happened yet and fish are moving through chasing shiners. The anticipation is that fishing will only get better as October plays out, it normally does.
Two methods are catching most of the walleyes. Trolling crankbaits to cover water and jigging when fish are more concentrated or swimming through.
Walleyes continue to be caught in Four Mile Bay, around Baudette, the airport and of course, other goto spots along the way and upstream as well. So many spots to fish and the fish are usually moving.
Some good sturgeon being caught this week. Many were caught from unsuspecting walleye anglers. As the saying goes, “Ya never know what you will catch on Lake of the Woods and Rainy River.”
Smallmouth bass have also been active. The river boasts a very nice population of bass that don’t receive much attention.
Up at the NW Angle…  Walleye fishing up at the Angle is strong right now. Many anglers slide over the border while others prefer to fish MN waters. Both are good.
A reminder, anglers and boaters are allowed to boat from the U.S. into Canada waters without clearing customs as long as they don’t touch land, a dock, anchor, moor or exchange goods or services. Also, no bait allowed from the U.S. into Canada. Live, dead, frozen, etc all cannot be transported across. Most using plastics. Another option is to purchase bait once across into Canada.
This time of year, when you find them, it normally goes well. A few guides reporting 100+ fish days for walleyes.
Walleyes are hanging out on points, reefs, flats and neck down areas with current in 17 – 22 feet. They are being caught jigging primarily, but those trolling spinners or crankbaits are doing well too.
Fall is known as a great season for pike, crappies and muskies. The tradition is holding true with good fish being caught.
On the south end… It’s fall walleye fishing time up on Lake of the Woods, however, the weather this past week felt more like late summer. Water temps are holding, but days are getting shorter which moves things along and fish are being caught.
Some excellent reports this week along with some just good reports. Some good reports of walleyes along the south shore. With the warmer weather, spinners and crankbaits are still working well, but fish are being caught jigging as well.
Crankbaits in gold, blue / silver chrome, chartreuse and firetiger are quite proven colors. Rotate size, wobble and color until you get dialed in.
Anglers jigging are reporting gold, pink, glow, orange and chartreuse colored jig tipped with a frozen emerald shiner is hard to beat.
Most fish are being caught in 18 – 32 feet, depending upon where you are fishing. Don’t forget about the morning / evening bite along the shoreline areas.
A mixed bag for most anglers includes big pike, jumbo perch, a few crappies and an occasional sturgeon in the mix of walleyes and saugers throughout a day of fishing.
On the Rainy River…  Shiners are in the Rainy River. There have been good fishing reports with fish being caught. The heavy run hasn’t happened yet and fish are moving through chasing big schools of shiners. Every year is different, time will tell on this year’s run, when it happens and how heavy the run is.
Much like the lake, various methods are still catching walleyes. Spinners and crankbaits to cover water if you are looking for fish or if fish are spread out. Jigging when fish are more concentrated or swimming through.
Walleyes continue to be caught in Four Mile Bay, along various shoreline breaks, bars and other pieces of structure up and down the river.
Multispecies action on the river. Pike and smallmouth bass along structure on shorelines.
Three nice smallmouth bass
Some nice fall sturgeon are being caught up amongst the migration and beauty anchored up and soaking crawlers and / or frozen emerald shiners.
Up at the NW Angle…  Walleye fishing up at the Angle continues good. Some believe when cooler weather sinks in, fishing will get even better. Limits of walleyes are being caught on both sides of the border.
Walleyes are hanging out on points, reefs, flats and neck down areas with current. They are being caught jigging, pulling spinners and trolling crankbaits. All three methods are catching fish.
Fall is a great time to fish crappies amongst the islands. Fish in 20 – 30 feet off of points and around brush piles.
Muskies continue to be active with some big fish being caught. A mixed bag with pike and smallmouth bass showing up nicely.
On the south end… Fall walleye fishing is in full swing on Lake of the Woods. Some excellent reports this week with an increase of fish along the south shore and an increase in anglers catching them via jigging, however spinners and crankbaits are still working well.
Anchored up or spot locked and jigging over the side of the boat is an effective fall method. Using gold, pink, glow, orange and chartreuse colored jigs tipped with a frozen emerald shiner is hard to beat.
Spinners with crawlers or minnows and trolling crankbaits are still producing fish and is an effective way to put your baits in front of many fish, some of which will typically react.
With literally millions of walleyes in Lake of the Woods, not every walleye is focusing on the same forage in the same area. Walleyes are being caught at many locations around the lake, including deep mud, reefs, shorelines and transition areas (rock to mud, mud to sand).
Most fish are being caught in 18 – 32 feet, depending upon where you are fishing. Don’t forget about the morning / evening bite along the shoreline areas.
Big pike, jumbo perch, a few crappies and an occasional sturgeon in the mix of walleyes and saugers throughout a day of fishing.
41 ” Northern Pike
On the Rainy River…  Some shiners have started to run up the Rainy River. There have been good fishing reports with fish being caught, but it isn’t the heavy fall run yet. The walleye fishing isn’t a slamfest yet, but there are definitely some nice fish to be had.
Jigging is becoming more effective with water temps in the low 60’s. This technique will only get better as the fall continues. Trolling spinners and trolling crankbaits continues to be effective as well.
Walleyes continue to be caught in Four Mile Bay, along various shoreline breaks, bars and other pieces of structure up and down the river.
Pike and smallmouth bass are hanging out on shorelines, in bays and areas with rock. Some nice crappies being caught around docks and off of breaks.
Fall sturgeon fishing is normally very good in the fall and is overshadowed by the walleye run! The sturgeon season is open through the winter into the spring.
Up at the NW Angle…  Walleye fishing up at the Angle continues good. Limits of walleyes are being caught on both sides of the border.
Walleyes are hanging out on points, reefs, flats and neck down areas with current. They are being caught jigging, pulling spinners and trolling crankbaits. All three methods are catching fish.
As a rule of thumb, jig over structure, pull spinners or cranks to cover water along a shoreline, on a flat or to find fish.
Crappies are in 20 – 30 feet off of points and around brush piles. Electronics help to find, and stay on the schools of fish.
Muskies continue to be active. Big pike are in abundance and snappin’. Smallmouth bass are active with cooling water temps.
On the south end… Some great fall walleye fishing this past week on Lake of the Woods. September is a transition time, both for walleyes, bait, and what techniques they prefer.
Walleyes are being caught at many locations around the lake. The north end continues to be producing a good number of eater walleyes with the mixed in trophy. This part of the lake has been consistent all summer and now into the fall.
The south end of the lake is kicking out some nice limits as well, just have to find the fish. Electronics help of course, but so does covering water.
Friends with Big Walleye
The two techniques to cover water are spinners / crawlers and crankbaits. Both are still producing fish. The third common technique that is starting to kick in more and more every week as the water cools is jigging with a frozen emerald shiner. Once you find the fish, this can be super effective.
Most fish are being caught in 18 – 32 feet, depending upon where you are fishing. There can be a morning / evening bite along the shoreline areas which is worth exploring. The shallower water can also light up during the day if bait is present.
Areas throughout the lake with rock hold nice numbers of smallmouth bass. The south shore between Long Point and Morris Point has many scattered areas with rock as does the areas around Knight, Bridges and Garden Islands.
Saugers, big pike, jumbo perch and a few crappies in the mix of walleyes throughout a day of fishing.
On the Rainy River…  Some good fishing in the Rainy River right now. Walleyes, saugers, pike, smallmouth bass, crappies, sturgeon, suckers and bullheads are all in the mix, depending upon what technique(s) you are using.
Walleyes continue to be caught in Four Mile Bay, along various shoreline breaks, bars and other pieces of structure up and down the river. Trolling spinners and trolling crankbaits continues to be effective. Many anglers are jigging key areas and success. It will get even better as the waters continue to cool.
Pike and smallmouth bass are being caught casting shorelines, bays and areas with rock or structure.
Sturgeon activity is also getting better. Fall sturgeon fishing is normally excellent. The sturgeon season is open through the winter into the spring.
Up at the NW Angle…  The NW Angle is putting out some nice fish. Most anglers are targeting walleyes, but crappies and muskies are favorite species as well during the fall months.
Walleyes are hanging out on points, reefs, flats and neck down areas with current. Good reports are coming from anglers using jigs, spinners and crankbaits. Some anglers swear by a jig and plastic or minnow. Others believe moving around with a spinner or crankbait is most productive. All three methods are catching fish.
Crappies are being found in 20 – 30 feet off of points and around brush piles. Electronics helps to find the schools.
Casting shorelines this time of year will put a plethora of species in the boat and is very enjoyable. Crankbaits, jigs, spinnerbaits, inline spinners and bladed jigs are all good lures to work shorelines.
Muskies have been active. Great reports as most muskie anglers fish just over the border from the Angle. With 14,552 islands, lots of spots, lots of fish. .
On the south end… Nice walleyes being caught this week on Lake of the Woods. A nice mix of eaters (under 19.5 inches), slot fish (19.5 – 28 inches which must be released) and trophy walleyes (over 28 inches).  Although cooler temps and fall is upon us, the best bite so far is still pulling spinners and trolling crankbaits. Jigging will kick in very soon!
There are walleyes being caught at many locations around the lake. One area that continues to put out good numbers of eaters is Little Traverse Bay which is located on the north end of the lake.
Various spots along the south shore from Pine Island, Zippel Bay to Long Point in 15 – 30 feet of water are starting to heat up as some walleyes are gravitating to their traditional fall areas. The key is to locate fish using electronics.
Reefs in the SW corner of the lake typically hold fish throughout the year and are also putting out some walleyes.
Drift or troll spinners at 1.0 – 1.25 mph with a gold and red, a glow red or a pink blade with a two hook harness with a crawler. This technique continues to produce.
Nice Walleye
Trolling crankbaits continues to produce good numbers of fish, including big fish. This technique will continue to produce nice walleyes into the fall months.
Jigging will pick up any time with the shorter days and cooler temps.
Saugers, big pike, jumbo perch and a few crappies in the mix of walleyes throughout a day of fishing.
On the Rainy River…  A great week of fishing on the Rainy River. There continues to be good reports for walleyes, saugers, pike, smallmouth bass, crappies, sturgeon, suckers and bullheads. A variety of fish is common on the Rainy River.
Walleyes are being caught in Four Mile Bay, along various shoreline breaks, bars and other pieces of structure up and down the river. Trolling spinners and trolling crankbaits has been effective covering water and triggering fish. Jigging will start to pick up soon.
Emerald shiners run in the fall up the river. Not a lot of reports yet but typically that will change in the very near future.
Pike and smallmouth bass are being caught casting shorelines, bays and areas with rock or structure.
For those targeting sturgeon, some decent activity this week. The sturgeon bite tends to be very active during the fall months. The keep or catch and release season is open throughout the fall if you like huge fish or simply want to mix up the walleye fishing a bit.
Up at the NW Angle…  Nice fish are being caught on both sides of the border. Most anglers are targeting walleyes, but there is a plethora of species to be had amongst the islands. Fall is an incredible time to fish the Angle.
Walleye anglers are finding fish in typical walleye haunts. Points, reefs, flats and neck down areas with current. Good reports are coming from anglers using jigs, spinners and crankbaits.
September and October are months anglers like to catch the huge crappies that live amongst the islands. Deeper areas off of points are good bets. Electronics are helpful in locating these fish. Crappies can reach up to 17 inches in these parts, with most in that 12 – 15 inch range.
Muskie activity is definitely picking up. Many reports of fish over 50 inches this week caught and released. Many other fish in that 40 – 50 inch range caught as well.
On the south end… As we roll into September, nice coolers of walleyes are common with guides and charters with some big trophies being caught as well. Catching these predators isn’t always a slam dunk as first you have to find them and then get them to eat.
The two techniques with the continued warm weather catching the majority of the walleyes are drifting spinners with crawlers and trolling crankbaits.
Many of the charters continue to run to the north end of the lake for good numbers of eaters.  Drifting spinners (or slowly trolling if no wind) with a gold and red or a pink blade along with a two hook harness with a crawler continues to catch numbers of fish.
Tip with crawler harnesses, hook for front hook in the dark part of the crawler, straighten the crawler out and hook the second hook. Leave about 2-3 inches of crawler off of the back hook and pinch off the rest.
If you are looking at a mix of eaters with the chance of larger walleyes, the basin is holding larger fish. Both the mud and rock reefs have fish. Electronics are a big help in knowing where to fish. There is a lot of water.
Trolling crankbaits is producing good numbers of fish, including big fish. This technique is effective on all parts of the lake and will continue into the fall months.
Sandy with Large Pike
Jigging will pick up and be a desired bait for walleyes as the waters cool.
On the Rainy River…  As fall temps start to appear and the days continue to get shorter, Mother Nature will drive some transition activity on the river. This means shiners running and more fish entering the river.
As past reports have noted, there are some fish in the river already and it should only get better. Typically, mid September is when we start hearing about increased activity.
Walleyes are being caught in Four Mile Bay, along various shoreline breaks, bars and other pieces of structure up and down the river. Trolling spinners and trolling crankbaits has been effective covering water and triggering fish.
Pike and smallmouth bass are being caught casting shorelines and back bays. Crappies are showing up along docks and just off of shoreline breaks.
Sturgeon season is open and the “dinosaur” activity will pick up as waters cool. For those targeting these huge fish, there are fish being caught. A sturgeon rig loaded with crawlers or a combo of crawlers and frozen emerald shiners is the ticket.
Up at the NW Angle…  Fishing on both sides of the border continues strong. Walleyes are the most sought after, but if you have fished the islands area, you know muskies, smallies, pike, sauger, crappies and perch are in the mix.
Walleye anglers, some nice fish being caught on flats adjacent to structure. There are also walleyes on various areas of structure. Not every walleye is focusing on the same forage in the lake. Flats often have walleyes spread out, thus covering water with cranks or spinners is effective.
Jigging areas of structure is catching fish. Many guides jig all year. When fishing Ontario waters, live and dead bait cannot be transported across the border from the U.S., hence plastics are being used. Another option is to purchase live bait in Canada, your favorite resort can help you with how and where.
Muskie anglers are catching fish with some nice fish over 50 inches this week.
