On the south end… A good week of fishing.  Resorts are working at staying on the walleyes and saugers and the fish, as a rule, are moving deeper as the winter progresses.  Some good activity this past week in 30 – 34 feet of water.  

Most anglers report having to sort through a number of smaller fish to find keepers with the occasional larger slot or trophy walleye in the mix.  Jigging with a small to medium jigging spoon tipped with a piece of minnow on your jigging line.  On your second line, a deadstick with a fathead, rainbow, sucker or live emerald shiner has been effective.

Some effective colors this week have been pink, glow red, yellow and gold.  

A number of nice sized eelpout (burbot) being caught this year.  Most anglers fishing for walleyes targeting the bottom will catch the pout as they swim through.  Normally a minnow head on a jigging spoon or live minnow on a deadstick will entice them to eat.  Delicious table fare.

Ice conditions are very good overall with larger trucks and fish houses being allowed on many ice roads.  Weight limits are potentially different on every ice road.  Check out Facebook pages or call resorts / outfitters for current info.

As happens most years as ice thickens, some cracks at various locations have popped up.  It is important to work through a resort / outfitter as they monitor conditions, re-route roads and utilize ice bridges as needed.

Please remember to Keep It Clean and remove all trash and waste from the ice.  Have a plan.

On the Rainy River…   A mixed bag of walleyes and saugers on the river with the morning and evening bite being the best.  Use a jig and minnow in one hole, deadstick with a minnow just off of the bottom on the second hole.

Ice conditions vary on the river as there is current, work through a resort or outfitter for safety.

Up at the NW Angle… A great week of ice fishing with good numbers of walleyes being caught.  The ice road from Angle Inlet at Young’s Bay to the island resorts is open and ice fishing is in full gear.

In addition to walleyes which make up most of the catch, jumbo perch, saugers, eelpout and some big pike are showing up as well.

Driving through Canada to the Angle no longer requires COVID vaccinations or the use of the ArriveCan App.

For those looking to access the Angle while avoiding customs, snowmobiling across the lake on the marked trails, utilizing the Lake of the Woods Passenger (bombardier) Service or flying up via Lake Country Air are all good options. 

As border waters, fish houses can be on the ice through March 31st.  Walleye / sauger season open through April 14th, pike season never closes.  A complete list of lodging, fish house rentals and sleeper fish house rentals at www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/Lodging.

On the south end… A mixed bag of fish being caught on Lake of the Woods.  Sorting through walleyes to pick away at the eaters is the norm with slot fish (19.5 – 28.0 inches) and trophy walleyes (over 28 inches) also being caught. 

Saugers of all sizes are being caught.  There are a nice number of eater sized fish in the lake providing nice action and good fish frys, but also sorting through the future keepers is part of the day.  

Other fish being caught are big eelpout, jumbo perch, pike, tulibees and an occasional sturgeon.  As the saying goes, “you never know what you will catch on Lake of the Woods”.

Most fishing is taking place in 25 – 32′ of water.  As is common this time of year, fish are moving deeper.  

Jig with your favorite jigging spoon tipped with a minnow head or tail.  In many cases, smaller presentations, such as 1/8 ounce lures are working the best.

On cloudy days, the glow colors have been working the best.  On sunny or brighter days, the shinier colors such as gold and sliver have been working well.  A combo of colors is also effective.

On the deadstick, a live minnow on a small jig or plain hook 1 – 2 feet off of the bottom has been effective.  Fish will rise up off of the bottom typically to grab the minnow.  

Ice conditions are very good overall.  In many cases, larger pickups and wheelhouses are being allowed out.  It is important to work through a resort / outfitter and adhere to their current weight limits, stay on the marked path and drive slow.

On the Rainy River…   A mixed bag of walleyes and saugers on the river.  A jig and a minnow still is the top producer in catching fish. 

A few anglers targeting sturgeon with larger holes, heavier rods and equipment.  It is a waiting game but some good fish being iced.  

Ice conditions vary on the river as there is current, work through a resort or outfitter for safety.

Up at the NW Angle… Ice fishing is in full gear.  The ice road from Angle Inlet at Young’s Bay to island resorts is open.

A nice mixed bag of fish with walleyes in good numbers.  Saugers, jumbo perch, eelpout and pike in the mix also.

Some resorts are fishing on structure, some just off of the edge.  Depending upon the spot and depth of water typically determines when walleyes will be in good numbers.  Some spots are more conducive to mornings / evenings, some daytime activity.

Most anglers reporting nice catches of fish with the occasional trophy mixed in jigging one line, deadsticking the second.

Driving through Canada to the Angle no longer requires COVID vaccinations or the use of the ArriveCan App.

For those looking to access the Angle while avoiding customs, there are few options.  

1.  The snowmobile trail across the lake is open from the south shore up to the Angle.

2.  The Lake of the Woods Passenger service provides round trip bombardier service across the lake.  

3.  Lake Country Air provides air service to both the south end and NW Angle.

Ice fishing and fish houses available through March 31st.  A complete list of lodging, fish house rentals and sleeper fish house rentals at www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/Lodging.

On the south end… Some nice walleyes and saugers being caught of all sizes.  -25 degrees and weather systems making good ice, but messes a bit with the bite.  

Most fishing is taking place in 22 – 29′ of water.  If you are portable, don’t forget about the shallow water bite morning and evening from 10 – 17′.

Jig one line, deadstick the second line with a live minnow a foot off of the bottom.  

Jig with your favorite jigging spoon tipped with a minnow head or tail.  Using a more aggressive lure like a lipless crankbait with rattles both catching and attracting fish.  Pink, firetiger, chartreuse, gold, glow white and glow green effective.  

On the deadstick, a live minnow on a demon, plain hook or an ice jig with a live minnow has been effective.  

Ice conditions are very good overall, but on the big expanse of LOW, conditions vary.  Many resorts and ice road operators are allowing trucks and wheel houses.  It is important to work through a resort / outfitter and adhere to their current weight limits, stay on the marked path and drive slow.

Both day houses and sleeper houses are on the ice and available. 

Please remember to Keep It Clean, leave no garbage behind.  Winter pump out stations for heated tanks on wheel houses available at Howard’s Oil (Cenex in Baudette) and Log Cabin Bait at Wheeler’s Point.

On the Rainy River…   The Rainy River is locked up with ice and ice fishing has been taking place.  A decent walleye bite with some quality fish reported before the deep freeze.  A jig and a minnow is working well for walleyes and saugers.

Ice conditions vary on the river as there is current, work through a resort or outfitter for safety.

Up at the NW Angle… Ice fishing is in full swing up at the NW Angle.  Initial reports show good numbers of walleyes with some big pike and jumbo perch in the mix.

Jig one line, deadstick the second.  Glow and bright colors are working well.

Driving through Canada to the Angle no longer requires COVID vaccinations or the use of the ArriveCan App.

For those looking to access the Angle while avoiding customs, there are few options.  

1.  The snowmobile trail across the lake is open from the south shore up to the Angle.

2.  The Lake of the Woods Passenger service provides round trip bombardier service across the lake.  

3.  Lake Country Air provides air service to both the south end and NW Angle.

Ice fishing and fish houses available through March 31st.  A complete list of lodging, fish house rentals and sleeper fish house rentals at www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/Lodging.

On the south end… Good reports with a mixed bag for many.  Walleyes and saugers are the norm with eelpout, jumbo perch, pike, tullibees and even some sturgeon in the mix also.

Most fishing is taking place in 22 – 28′ of water.  Some reports of decent walleye fishing shallower as well, in the 18 – 21′ depths but not as many fish or variety of fish. 

Jigging with your favorite jigging spoon with a minnow head or tail has been consistent.  Pink, gold, glow, orange, and chartreuse or a combo of these colors in the stained waters of LOW has been good.  Using a #5 Rippin Rap in gold or pink UV Firetiger has been successful also.

On the deadstick, a live minnow on a plain red hook or a small ice jig with a minnow has been effective.  

Ice conditions are good but vary across the south shore.  As ice thickens, cracks popping up in areas, as happens every year.  Some sleeper houses are out and with the cold weather, weight limits have been naturally increasing along with thickening ice.  Check with each ice road operator for specifics.

Please remember to Keep It Clean, pack out what you packed in.  It is appreciated.

On the Rainy River…   The Rainy River is frozen up and ice fishing is taking place on a few different areas of the river.  A jig and a minnow is working well for walleyes and saugers.

Ice conditions vary and on the river there is current, so much like the lake, we encourage visitors to work through a resort or outfitter for safety.  

Up at the NW Angle… Some NW Angle resorts have pulled fish houses out and are fishing.  Other Angle resorts will stick with their normal schedule and begin just after Christmas.  Initial fishing reports are very good with nice walleyes in the mix.  Stay in touch with your favorite NW Angle resort for further info.

The snowmobile trail from the Wheeler’s Point area up to the Angle is staked and open.

Driving through Canada to the Angle no longer requires COVID vaccinations or the use of the ArriveCan App.

For those looking to access the Angle while avoiding customs, there are few options.  

1.  The snowmobile trail is staked from the south shore up to the Angle.

2.  The Lake of the Woods Passenger service provides round trip bombardier service across the lake.  

3.  Lake Country Air provides air service to both the south end and NW Angle.

A complete list of lodging, fish house rentals and sleeper fish house rentals at www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/Lodging.

On the south end… Ice fishing is in full swing.  Initial fishing reports are good with a nice mix of walleyes and saugers.  In true Lake of the Woods fashion, it is a mixed bag with eelpout, jumbo perch, pike, tullibees and even some huge sturgeon mixed in.

Most fishing is taking place in 22 – 27′ of water.  Using the one – two punch of a jigging rod in one hole and a deadstick with a live minnow in the second hole is working well.

Before vehicles are allowed on the ice, resorts / outfitters provide transportation to their fish houses using light ice rigs for convenience and safety.  Communicate with your resort or outfitter for details.

Work through resorts and outfitters on the ice, stay on the marked trails for safety, please don’t exceed weight limits and drive slowly on the ice.

Please remember to Keep It Clean, pick up everything around you and secure your garbage.

On the Rainy River…   The Rainy River is frozen up and some ice fishing is taking place.  Most are targeting walleyes and saugers with mixed results.  A few are targeting Lake Sturgeon through the ice with some nice dinosaurs iced and released!  

Ice conditions vary and on the river there is current, so much like the lake, we encourage visitors to work through a resort or outfitter for safety.  

Up at the NW Angle… Resorts have been monitoring ice conditions, staking trails and placing fish houses.  Some resorts have begun ice fishing with others traditionally starting around the holidays.  Initial fishing reports are very good.  Stay in touch with your favorite NW Angle resort for further info.

The snowmobile trail from the Wheeler’s Point area up to the Angle is marked and open.

Driving through Canada to reach the Angle no longer requires COVID vaccinations or the use of the ArriveCan App (which is optional).

For those looking to access the Angle while avoiding customs, there are few options.  

1.  When ice conditions allow, the snowmobile trail will be groomed and staked from the south shore up to the Angle.

2.  The Lake of the Woods Passenger service provides round trip bombardier service across the lake.  

3.  Lake Country Air provides air service to both the south end and NW Angle.

A complete list of lodging, fish house rentals and sleeper fish house rentals at www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/Lodging.

On the south end… It is ice fishing time!  Some resorts (not all) have pulled out fish houses and it is game on.  Some ice trails are marked and open.  Check weight limits on each ice road as conditions can vary.

Resorts who have fish houses on the ice will typically transport you out to their houses using light ice rigs for convenience and safety.  

As we often say, ice conditions vary greatly on Lake of the Woods.  Some resorts have trails marked across Four Mile Bay out to fishing areas in front of Pine Island on the big lake.  Some resorts are not quite open as the ice where they go out still needs some time to thicken up.

Watch your favorite resort / outfitter social media pages for up to date info.   Work through resorts and outfitters on the ice, stay on the marked trails for safety, please don’t exceed weight limits and drive slowly on the ice.

Anticipation is high.  The early ice bite is normally very good!

Please remember to Keep It Clean, pick up everything around you and secure your garbage.

On the Rainy River…   The Rainy River is frozen up.  Some locals who know the river have been checking ice and ice fishing with some walleyes and saugers in the mix.  As ice thickens, more areas will become accessible.

Ice conditions vary and on the river there is current, so much like the lake, we encourage visitors to work through a resort or outfitter for safety.  

Up at the NW Angle… Resorts have been monitoring ice conditions and starting to stake trails.  They are not ice fishing yet, but the ice is looking good and some guides scouting for fish give the thumbs up.  Stay in touch with your favorite NW Angle resort for further info.

Driving through Canada to reach the Angle no longer requires COVID vaccinations or the use of the ArriveCan App (which is optional).

For those looking to access the Angle while avoiding customs, there are few options.  

1.  When ice conditions allow, the snowmobile trail will be groomed and staked from the south shore up to the Angle.

2.  The Lake of the Woods Passenger service provides round trip bombardier service across the lake.  

3.  Lake Country Air provides air service to both the south end and NW Angle.

A complete list of lodging, fish house rentals and sleeper fish house rentals at www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/Lodging.

On the south end… Ice is forming, but other than some back bays, it isn’t ready quite yet.  Mother Nature is on track.  Some resorts are making the prediction of December 10th for day houses being out, give or take, but at this point, this isn’t set in stone and time will tell.  There are cold temps in the forecast and things look optimistic. 

Many resorts and outfitters have been checking ice conditions.  When the time is right, resorts and outfitters will slowly and safely begin marking and grooming trails for ice travel.

Please remember, ice conditions vary greatly in different parts of the lake.  One ice road can have good ice that has been checked and marked while down the shoreline there may be ice not suitable for travel yet.  Work through resorts and outfitters on the ice and stay on the marked trails for safety.

Anticipation is high as the walleye and sauger fishing this fall was good and fish were staged in good numbers along the south shore.

On the Rainy River…   Much of the Rainy River is frozen up.  Things are progressing but it certainly needs cold weather and some time.

Ice conditions vary and on the river there is current, so much like the lake, we encourage visitors to work through a resort or outfitter for safety.  

Up at the NW Angle… Ice is forming nicely and is right on track for this year’s ice fishing season.  There has been no ice fishing yet as resorts are simply monitoring ice conditions at this time, waiting until the ice is thicker before marking trails and getting fish houses out.

Fall fishing was excellent with walleyes in good numbers along with some monster pike being caught.  All indications point to good fishing when the ice is ready as the fish are there.

Driving through Canada to reach the Angle no longer requires COVID vaccinations or the use of the ArriveCan App (which is optional).  

For those looking to access the Angle while avoiding customs, there are few options.  

1.  When ice conditions allow, the snowmobile trail will be groomed and staked from the south shore up to the Angle.

2.  The Lake of the Woods Passenger service provides round trip bombardier service across the lake.  

3.  Lake Country Air provides air service to both the south end and NW Angle.

A complete list of lodging, fish house rentals and sleeper fish house rentals at www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/Lodging.

On the south end… The wait for thickening ice is upon us.  This week, cold temps added to ice formation on back bays and on much of the big lake.  The ice still needs time to thicken, but is making progress.  When the time is right, resorts and outfitters will slowly and safely begin marking and grooming trails for ice travel.

 

First out on the ice will be pike anglers / spearing in the shallow bays.  From there, things will progress as the ice begins to form on the lake.  Resorts will communicate about ice conditions on the ice roads and trails they are monitoring and grooming. We are not there yet.  

As a general rule, day houses are set by resorts mid December.  Sleeper fish houses get placed when ice thickens further.  Mother Nature combined with ice conditions in that given area of LOW will dictate what weight limits each individual ice outfitter gives the green light to.  Safety first.

Walleyes and saugers are in good numbers for ice anglers when the time comes.

On the Rainy River…   With colder weather, much of the Rainy River is frozen up with areas of open water scattered throughout.  Things are progressing but it certainly needs cold weather and some time.

Just like the lake, we encourage visitors to work through a resort or outfitter for safety.

Up at the NW Angle… Bays and much of the lake are frozen up throughout the Angle.  Ice is forming nicely and is right on track for this year’s ice fishing season.

Throughout the fall, walleyes were in good numbers and all indications point to good fishing when the ice is ready.

A complete list of lodging, fish house rentals and sleeper fish house rentals at www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/Lodging.

On the south end… Most anglers have pulled the plug on open water fishing the basin and have sights set on ice fishing.  

This week, temps plunged creating ice on back bays.  Some reports of a few inches as of mid week last week in some areas.  When they think the time is right, resorts and outfitters will slowly and safely begin marking a trail for ice travel.  

The first anglers out will work through resorts using the marked trails to tip up fish or spear for pike in the shallow bays.  From there, things will progress as the ice begins to form on the lake.  Resorts will communicate what form of travel is allowed.  Initially, foot travel only.  As ice thickens, it goes to ATVs and snowmobiles.  Eventually side by sides and up from there.

Every year is different, but normally day houses will be set up for customers early to mid December.  Sleeper fish houses a couple of weeks after that.  Mother Nature is in charge and areas of the lake freeze differently, hence, it is vital to work through the pros working the ice.

During early ice, most resorts / outfitters will transport you out to heated fish houses for safety and convenience.  Those fishing on their own will pull their collapsible fish houses out staying on marked trails on the ice.  

Walleyes and saugers have been setting up nicely in their late fall spots along the south shore for ice anglers when the time comes.

On the Rainy River…   With colder weather, some snow, and deer hunting still going on in northern Minnesota, most anglers have pulled the plug on fishing.  A few that ventured out reported some nice fish.  With snowy boat ramps and spots with shoreline ice, anglers need to exercise great caution if they plan on dropping their boat in before the river freezes up.

Up at the NW Angle… Up until bays started freezing, walleye fishing reports were excellent.  Mother Nature has kicked in and ice is beginning to form.  Most have pulled their boats trying to beat the ice up.

Everything is in place for an excellent ice fishing season.

A complete list of lodging, fish house rentals and sleeper fish house rentals at www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/Lodging.

On the south end…  A great late fall fishing pattern continues.  Nothing fancy, locate fish along the south shore, anchor up and start jigging.  Most are jigging with emerald shiners or fatheads.  

Jigs with the brighter or glow colors and gold is a pretty consistent choice in colors.

Fall walleye fishing on LOW brings a nice mixed bag.  Walleyes, saugers, pike, jumbo perch and an occasional crappie or sturgeon have been caught by walleye anglers.  As a rule, 15 – 25 feet of water has been good.

Fish are setting up nicely for ice fishing, which typically begins in early or mid December and lasts through the month of March.  Mother Nature is in control and it is good to lean on your local resort or outfitter for ice conditions on a given part of the lake.

On the Rainy River…   A very confusing time for those who enjoy both some great walleye fishing and the traditional deer hunting opener.  It is a well known fact, there are typically some huge walleyes in the Rainy River during the deer hunting season and they are normally cooperative.  

Some good reports up and down the river.  Not as many anglers fishing this week, as expected.

Jigging with frozen shiners has been producing nicely.  Trolling crankbaits has not disappeared and is also still producing good fish.

Boat ramps are open from Wheeler’s Point to Baudette east to Birchdale. 

Up at the NW Angle…  For those not in a deer stand, walleye fishing continues to be good.  Jigging with a minnow is putting good numbers of walleyes in the boat.

Traditional structure continues to hold walleyes.  Points, rock islands, sunken islands, and neck down areas are all holding fish.

Big muskies continue to make late fall memories for muskie nuts.  Some of the talented muskie guides and anglers who frequent LOW are getting on some very good fish.

Things are shaping up for an excellent ice fishing season.  This year and every year, please remember to Keep It Clean.

A complete list of lodging, fish house rentals and sleeper fish house rentals at www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/Lodging.