On the south end…  Anglers are experiencing some great fall fishing.  Some anglers are targeting key fall locations along the south shore over mud and sand, while others are fishing structure.  Most are jigging with emerald shiners or fatheads.  

As a rule, good colors have been gold, orange, chartreuse, pink and glow or a combo of these colors.  Hooking the minnow through the mouth and out the gill and sliding it up to the jig head and hooking it about half way back on the minnow will hook more fish.

One great thing about fall is a mixed bag.  Walleyes, saugers, pike, jumbo perch and an occasional crappie or sturgeon all in the mix.  Strong fishing reports between 15 – 25′ of water.

Rocky Point, Long Point area, Zippel Bay, Morris Point and Lighthouse Gap areas all producing.  Once you find the walleyes, they have normally been cooperative.  Good numbers of fish along the south shore.

Fish are staged nicely for ice fishing.  Mother Nature always dictates, but as a rule, resorts get day houses out around December 10th with spearing for pike on back bays taking place even earlier.  Resorts and outfitters will communicate ice conditions when the time comes.

The combined walleye / sauger limit on Lake of the Woods is a combination of 6 fish, with up to 4 of those fish being able to be walleyes.  All walleyes 19.5″ – 28.0″ must be released.  One walleye over 28.0″ may be kept per day.

On the Rainy River…   A great week of fall walleye fishing.  Good fish were caught up and down the river, but a lot of good reports around Baudette.

Some big walleyes were caught this week, which is traditional for this time of fall on the river.  

Jigging with frozen shiners has been producing nicely.  Some anglers are still trolling crankbaits which is producing nice fish.

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

Up at the NW Angle…  Walleye fishing continues to be very consistent.  Jigging with a minnow has been the go to method.  Fish continue to show up in good numbers for anglers fishing both sides of the border.

Traditional structure such as points, rock islands, sunken islands, and neck down areas holding nice walleyes.

Big muskies are being caught and released by fall muskie anglers.  In addition to working key structure, this is the time of the year trolling shoreline structure produces nicely.

Resorts are preparing for the ice fishing season, which based on walleye and sauger populations, is looking positive.

A complete list of lodging, guides, charter boat trips and ice fishing trips at www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/Lodging.

On the south end…  A great week of fall fishing.  Schools of walleyes and saugers are set up in various locations along the south shore of Big Traverse Bay.  Some of these fish will be targeted when resorts get fish houses out, normally in early to mid December, Mother Nature dependent of course.  

Anglers are catching a mixed bag of walleyes, saugers, pike, jumbo perch and an occasional crappie or sturgeon.  A good overall depth has been 18 – 25′.  Some fish are roaming the flat mud while others are adjacent to structure.

Anchored up and jigging with fatheads and frozen shiners is working well.  Most anglers will anchor up and vertically jig over the side.  If walleyes are in the area, they are normally moving around enough to find you.  

Long Point area, Zippel Bay, Morris Point and Lighthouse Gap areas still producing fish.

On the Rainy River…   A great week of fall walleye fishing.  Good fish were caught up and down the river.  One day the bite is hot, the next day, just okay.  Who knows why, but the fish are there.

Traditionally, as we approach the end of October, some really big walleyes are caught.  It might be getting colder and deer hunting is approaching, but seasoned hawg hunters know what this means on the Rainy.  

Jigging with frozen shiners has been producing nicely.  Gold, orange, chartreuse, glow white, pink or a combo of these colors are working well.  Trolling crankbaits is also producing nice fish.

Sturgeon are active.  Some walleye anglers are taking a bit of their walleye time and fishing dinosaurs. Some sturgeon caught by unsuspecting walleye anglers.

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

Up at the NW Angle…  Walleye fishing is great.  Jigging with a minnow has been the go to method.  Fish are in good numbers for anglers fishing either side of the border.

This time of year, the mouth of bays can hold schools of shiners, which is a magnet for walleyes and other species.  Points, rock islands, sunken islands, neck down areas, etc. are also holding fish.

Big muskies are cooperating nicely for those pursuing them.  In addition to working key structure, this is the time of the year trolling produces nicely.

Resorts are busy getting fish houses, ice transportation and other winter equipment ready as ice fishing is just around the corner.

A complete list of lodging, guides, charter boat trips and ice fishing trips at www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/Lodging.

On the south end…  Walleyes are showing up in various locations along the south shore of Big Traverse Bay.  This is a typical fall pattern and normally these fish will be at many of the same locations for ice fishing in December.  

Anglers report a mixed bag of walleyes, saugers, pike, jumbo perch and an occasional crappie or sturgeon.  Some walleyes are using structure while others are in the basin over mud.  A good overall depth has been 20 – 25′.  When fishing structure, the tops and sides of reefs have been effective.

Anchored up and jigging with fatheads and frozen shiners is working well.  Anchor up and vertically jig over the side.  Give it 30 minutes and adjust to a new spot if there is little activity.

Long Point area, Zippel Bay, Morris Point and Lighthouse Gap areas producing fish.

On the Rainy River…   A great week of walleye fishing, despite some weather systems moving through.  Good fish were caught regardless of the weather.  The upcoming week looks warm and dry.

Good walleye reports up and down the river.  Larger fish were caught between Wheeler’s Point and the International Bridge in Baudette.  Walleyes are constantly moving and the entire river is holding fish.  Traditionally, some big fish move at the end of October.

Jigging with frozen shiners has been producing nicely.  Gold, orange, chartreuse, glow white, pink or a combo of these colors are working well.

Cooler water temps are getting the sturgeon fired up.  Some big fish were caught again this week.  With colder water, target holes in the river.

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

Up at the NW Angle…  Walleye fishing has been awesome all summer / fall and continues to be very good.  Jigging with a minnow has been the go to method.

Targeting high probability walleye areas such as points, rock islands, sunken islands, neck down areas, etc. is proving successful for most anglers.

Nice crappies, perch, pike and smallmouth bass are also active and being caught each day.

Muskies are cooperating nicely for those pursuing them.  Working shorelines has been productive.  Dropping water temps is leading to some incredible fall muskie fishing.

Resorts are busy preparing for what is shaping up to be a great ice fishing season.  Book now.

A complete list of lodging, guides, charter boat trips and ice fishing trips at www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/Lodging.

On the south end…  Walleyes are being found in various schools along the south shore with some very good fall fishing taking place.  A mixed bag of walleyes, saugers, pike, jumbo perch and an occasional crappie or sturgeon.  

Nice reports from Long Point, to Zippel Bay to Morris Point Gap over to Lighthouse Gap.

Lots of fish being marked with electronics.  Some schools are more active than others.  The belief is it will continue to get even better with cooling water temps.  Most anglers are finding walleyes that will cooperate.

Anchored up and jigging with fatheads and frozen shiners is the ticket.  Slide the hook of the jig through the mouth of the minnow, out the gills and as far back as possible, putting the hook through the minnow about half way back on the minnow.  This will get you more hook ups with light biting walleyes and saugers.  

Jig colors, try strobe gold (like a disco ball) or plain gold combined with orange, glow white, glow red, pink or chartreuse.

Charter boats are on good schools of walleyes and will be fishing through October.

On the Rainy River…   More and more shiners moved in the river this week, as did more walleyes.  Most are finding fish and going through a lot of bait.  If you aren’t finding fish, move until you do.  They are around.

Some good reports from Four Mile Bay to Baudette and east to Frontier and Birchdale.  

Jigging with frozen shiners is the most common technique, especially when fishing structure.  Trolling crankbaits upstream in the river is also catching some nice walleyes.

Cooler water temps are getting the sturgeon active.  Some big fish were caught again this week.  With colder water, target holes in the river.

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

Up at the NW Angle…  Walleye fishing continues to be really good up at the Angle.  Jigging with a minnow or plastic is catching good numbers of fish on both sides of the border.

Targeting structure has been the ticket for most walleye anglers.  Points, rock islands, sunken islands, neck down areas, etc.

Big pike continue to be caught by unsuspecting walleye anglers.

Muskie activity was good again this week.  Casting shorelines has been productive and with cooling water, trolling shorelines will soon be effective.

As of October 1, 2022, being vaccinated for COVID is no longer required to enter Canada.  In addition, the ArriveCan app is not required, but optional.  Perfect timing for the rest of the fall and the ice fishing season.

A complete list of lodging, guides, charter boat trips and ice fishing trips at www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/Lodging.

On the south end…  Walleyes are set up along various areas of the south shore with some very good fall fishing taking place.  A mixed bag of walleyes, saugers, pike, jumbo perch and an occasional crappie.  

With cooling water, most anglers catching fish anchored up jigging with fatheads and frozen shiners.  Jig colors, try gold combined with orange, glow white, glow red, pink or chartreuse.

Trolling crankbaits is still catching fish.  As water cools, slowing trolling speed from1.5 – 2.2. 

Charter boats are finding good numbers of walleyes and will typically be running through October.

On the Rainy River…   Another week of good walleye reports on the Rainy River.  Shiners are in the river and so are the walleyes.  

From Four Mile Bay to Baudette and east, walleyes are showing up.  Hitting various spots until you find fish is helpful.  Fish are moving through.  Look for clouds of emerald shiners, there are normally walleyes close by.  

Holes, current breaks, and even flats are holding walleyes.  

Jigging with frozen shiners is the most common technique, especially when fishing structure.  Trolling cranks in the river are both catching walleyes.

Cooler water is getting sturgeon more active.  Most anglers fishing the holes of the river.  With decreased current, a 3 – 4 ounce weight has been sufficient combined with a sturgeon rig loaded with crawlers or crawlers and frozen shiners.

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

Up at the NW Angle…  Walleye fishing has been really good up at the Angle, as it traditionally is during the fall months.  Jigging with a minnow or plastic is catching good numbers of fish on both sides of the border.

Fishing structure has been the ticket for most walleye anglers.  Points, rock islands, sunken islands, neck down areas, etc.

Big pike are continuing to be caught by both walleye anglers and muskie anglers.

Muskie activity was good this week.  Casting shorelines has been productive.

As of October 1, 2022, being vaccinated for COVID is no longer required to enter Canada.  In addition, the ArriveCan app is not required, but optional.  Perfect timing for the rest of the fall and the ice fishing season.

A complete list of lodging, guides, charter boat trips and ice fishing trips at www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/Lodging.

On the south end…  Walleyes are starting to stack up in various areas of the south shore with some good fall fishing taking place.  Most anchored up jigging with fatheads and frozen shiners.  

Various techniques are still proving effective in catching, but as water temps cool, jigging will be the desire of walleyes and has been successful this past week.  

Trolling crankbaits is still catching fish.  If you are struggling catching the fish you are jigging or the fish are spread out, try pulling cranks which will put your lure in front of many fish in which you only need a taker here and there for a successful day.

Good numbers of fish are still being caught pulling spinners, especially over flats or on the outside of structure.

On the Rainy River…   Some very good reports on the Rainy River this week.  Shiners are in the river and so are the walleyes.  Is this the big run, not sure, but most are catching fish, and some big ones.  

Anglers report nice fish both in Four Mile Bay and the river, but these fish are moving around.  Try different spots until you find them.  Look for clouds of emerald shiners, they show up nicely on most sonar.  

This is the fall run and it should only get better.  These river fish are moving, once you find them, it can be a memorable day.  Looking for fish, trying different spots can be helpful in finding fish.  Anchoring up in the same spot all day hoping the fish come through can make for a tough day.    

Jigging with a frozen shiner or trolling cranks in the river are both catching walleyes.

Sturgeon activity continues to pick up as water cools.  Most fishing the holes of the river.  A 3 – 4 ounce weight with lower current has been sufficient combined with a sturgeon rig loaded with crawlers or crawlers and frozen shiners.

Fall is a great time to take your own boat on the small waters of the Rainy River.  Boat ramps scattered from Wheeler’s Point to Baudette east to Birchdale. 

Up at the NW Angle…  Walleye fishing stays consistently very good up at the Angle.  Walleyes are being caught using the three techniques mentioned above.  Some fishing MN waters, others venturing amongst the Ontario side of the lake.  Good fish being caught on both sides.

In addition to fish still over deep mud, traditional structure is also holding walleyes.  Points, rock islands, sunken islands, neck down areas, etc.

Some nice muskies were caught this week.  October is traditionally a great month with trolling shorelines in the mix of techniques.

The government of Canada has officially announced they are lifting the COVID vaccination requirement and is allowing the ArriveCan app to be optional starting October 1, 2022.  This will make the drive to the NW Angle for many, which includes about 40 miles through Canada, once again possible.

A complete list of lodging, guides, charter boat trips and ice fishing trips at www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/Lodging.

On the south end…  Lots of walleyes being caught on LOW.  September is a transition month with the shorter days, colder water temps and walleyes often transitioning.  Once you are on them, they are normally very cooperative.

Once again this week, walleyes are being caught using a few different techniques.  Drifting or trolling spinners, jigging and trolling crankbaits. 

As the season progresses, a jig and minnow will be the goto presentation.  That hasn’t happened quite yet, but there are a lot of walleyes caught jigging.

Good numbers of fish are still being caught pulling spinners. Normally, 1.0 – 1.25 mph, pulling your presentation through numbers of fish.  This technique covers water and can be used around structure.

Trolling crankbaits can be effective literally all year long in the open water.  The key, getting your baits down to the fish using lead core line, downriggers, snap weights, a 4 ounce bottom bouncer with a 6′ mono or fluoro leader, etc.  Lots of ways.  Then dial in speed, color, size of crank, etc. It’s a fun formula to figure out and is catching a lot of fish.

On the Rainy River…   More and more walleyes in the river this week.  Water levels have dropped as has the current.  Anglers reporting nice fish both in Four Mile Bay and the river, but these fish are moving around and not necessarily consistent.  They may be in the bay one day and swim up river the next.  

Jigging with a frozen shiner or trolling cranks in the river catching walleyes.

Sturgeon activity is picking up as water cools.  Various sized fish being caught with some mixed in beasts near 70 inches.  Most fishing the holes of the river.  A 3 – 4 ounce weight with lower current has been sufficient combined with a sturgeon rig loaded with crawlers.

Fall is a great time to take your own boat on the small water of the Rainy River and cash in on good fall fishing!

Up at the NW Angle…  Walleye fishing has been great all year.  Walleyes are being caught using the three techniques mentioned above.  Some fishing MN waters, others venturing amongst the Ontario side of the lake.  Good fish being caught on both sides.

North and Northeast of Little Oak over the deep mud of Little Traverse Bay continues to hold good numbers of walleyes.  Scattered schools of fish over the deep mud of Little Traverse Bay. 

Typical structure holding walleyes.  Points, rock islands, sunken islands, neck down areas, etc.  With over 14,000 islands, lots of spots and lots of fish.

Muskie anglers reported an active week of fishing.  With colder water, it should get even better.

Various ways to travel to the Angle.

1.  Drive through Canada to the Angle  (must be vaccinated, no covid test required)

2.  LOW Passenger Service (charter boat service across the lake avoiding customs)

3.  Lake Country Air (fly from various Midwest locations to LOW and NW Angle, no customs)

4.  Take your own boat.  (Safety first, this is a 40 mile ride over big water, no customs)

A complete list of lodging, guide and charter boat trips at www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/Lodging.

On the south end…  A beautiful week of walleye fishing.  Some cool evenings, steam coming off of the water in the morning and the trees just starting to turn colors,  The seasons are changing and the fish are biting.

Walleyes are being caught using a few different techniques.  Drifting or trolling spinners with crawlers at 1.0 – 1.25 mph is still filling coolers with nice fish.

The second method catching some nice walleyes is trolling crankbaits.  Lots of fish of all sizes.  Pink UV firetiger, chartreuse, orange and gold are all good colors.

Third, jigs tipped with minnows continue to put a lot of walleyes in the boat.  This technique will only get better as water temps continue to decrease.  Once you find the fish, anchor up or spot lock and jig.

Reefs, or just off of the reefs near Long and Rocky Points producing good fish.  Otherwise, scattered schools of walleyes over the large mud flats.

On the Rainy River…   Some nice walleyes caught in the river this week.  The fall run is not hot and heavy yet, but there are some decent walleyes in the river.  Stay tuned!  With some emerald shiners already in the river along with a good flow of water, anticipation of a strong fall run is expected.

Anglers casting shorelines and fishing docks are reporting a nice mixed bag including walleyes, pike, smallmouth bass and some crappies.

Sturgeon are being caught with reports this week of a lot of “average” sized fish with an occasional giant.  Colder water will encourage the bite even more.

Lots of beautiful river to fish from the mouth at Wheeler’s Point through Baudette east to Birchdale with many boat ramps along the way.

Up at the NW Angle…  Walleye fishing continues to be very consistent.  Jigging and pulling spinners with crawlers are what most anglers are doing to catch walleyes.

North and Northeast of Little Oak over the deep mud of Little Traverse Bay continues to be very good.  Lots of fish scattered throughout Little Traverse Bay. 

Schools of walleyes are also being found on structure, or in some cases, adjacent to structure over mud.  

Good numbers of muskies are being caught with a lot of follows.  A good figure 8 at the boat catches a lot of fish.

Big pike have been in the mix all summer for those fishing for them along with unsuspecting walleye anglers.

Various ways to travel to the Angle.

1.  Drive through Canada to the Angle  (must be vaccinated, no covid test required)

2.  LOW Passenger Service (charter boat service across the lake avoiding customs)

3.  Lake Country Air (fly from various Midwest locations to LOW and NW Angle, no customs)

4.  Take your own boat.  (Safety first, this is a 40 mile ride over big water, no customs)

A complete list of lodging, guide and charter boat trips at www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/Lodging.

On the south end…  Walleye fishing has been great all summer and continues to be strong as we transition into fall.  Lake levels continue to drop, boat ramps are open, docks and charters are available!

80 veterans fished in the annual Pay It Forward event this year.  Limits across the board fishing on charter boats.  

Walleyes were caught using a few different techniques.  Most popular was drifting or trolling spinners at 1.0 – 1.25 mph.  Use a 2 ounce weight with a 2 or 3 hook snelled spinner and a crawler.  Hammered gold with glow red and glow white.

The second method is trolling crankbaits.   Lots of fish of all sizes.  Pink UV firetiger, chartreuse, orange and gold are all good colors.

Third, jigs tipped with minnows continue to put a lot of walleyes in the boat.  Anchor up or spot lock and jig over the side or if low wind, drift and jig.

On the Rainy River…   Walleye anglers catching nice fish in the river.  Anglers are optimistic for a great fall run as there is good current.  Also good bait in the river already with anticipation of shiners starting to enter from the lake soon.

Some big sturgeon caught this week.  Colder water temps normally will help the bite, it should only get better.  

Casting shorelines for smallmouth bass and pike is always a good option for those who like to mix it up.

There are 42 miles of navigable Rainy River from the mouth at Wheeler’s Point through Baudette east to Birchdale with many boat ramps along the way.

Up at the NW Angle…  Walleye fishing is excellent.  Jigging and pulling spinners with crawlers are both very successful methods.

North and Northeast of Little Oak in the deep mud of Little Traverse Bay.  Lots of open water to fish with scattered small schools of walleyes and saugers.  Other areas adjacent to rock piles, over open mud, along shoreline structure holding fish as well.

It has been a great year for muskies and as water cools, it should get even better.  A lot of big pike being caught by walleye anglers, most likely feeding on small walleyes and saugers.

Various ways to travel to the Angle.

1.  Drive through Canada to the Angle  (must be vaccinated, no covid test required)

2.  LOW Passenger Service (charter boat service across the lake avoiding customs)

3.  Lake Country Air (fly from various Midwest locations to LOW and NW Angle, no customs)

4.  Take your own boat.  (Safety first, this is a 40 mile ride over big water, no customs)

A complete list of lodging, guide and charter boat trips at www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/Lodging.

On the south end…  A great week of walleye fishing.  Lake levels continue to drop, boat ramps are open, docks and charters are available!

A similar report to last week.  As has been the pattern all summer, anglers catching walleyes drifting spinners, trolling crankbaits and jigging.

Drift or troll spinners at 1.0 – 1.25 mph.  Use a 2 ounce weight with a 2 or 3 hook snelled spinner and a crawler.  Hammered gold, glow red and glow white or a combo of these has been good.

Jigs tipped with minnows continue to put a lot of walleyes in the boat.  Anchor up or spot lock and jig over the side or if low wind, drift and jig.  If drifting, use a larger jig to keep you close to the bottom.  Gold, pink and glow have been good colors in the stained water.

Trolling cranks has been hot.   A lot of big fish with plenty of eaters.  Look for various schools of walleyes out in the basin, 30 – 36′.

On the Rainy River…   Walleye anglers reporting some nice fish in the river.  A good sign approaching September.  Anglers are optimistic with river fishing as there is good current and has been all summer.  Also good bait in the river.  

Some big sturgeon caught this week, including a monster in the mid 60 inch range.  As water temps cool, it should only get better!

There are 42 miles of navigable Rainy River from the mouth at Wheeler’s Point through Baudette east to Birchdale with many boat ramps along the way.

Up at the NW Angle…  Walleye fishing has been excellent.  Jigging and pulling spinners with crawlers are both very successful methods.

Both sides of the border have been productive.  On the MN side, areas around Garden Island, Little Traverse Bay, various deep points and sunken islands holding good fish.

Muskies are being caught casting various bays and rocky points.  Smallmouth bass on rocky points and along scattered rocky shorelines.

Various ways to travel to the Angle.

1.  Drive through Canada to the Angle  (must be vaccinated, no covid test required)

2.  LOW Passenger Service (charter boat service across the lake avoiding customs)

3.  Lake Country Air (fly from various Midwest locations to LOW and NW Angle, no customs)

4.  Take your own boat.  (Safety first, this is a 40 mile ride over big water, no customs)

A complete list of lodging, guide and charter boat trips at www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/Lodging.