On the south end…  Walleye fishing has been good all summer and is still strong.  Lots of limits of walleyes along with some big fish being caught.  Lake levels continue to drop thankfully.  Boat ramps are open and charters / guides continue to be on fish.

Drifting spinners still producing.  Hammered gold, pink, orange, glow white, glow red or a combo of some of these colors working well.  Usually a two or three hook harness with just a few inches of crawler off of the back hook.

Good success jigging for walleyes.  This technique usually slows down in August, but this year it is still working great.  Using a frozen emerald shiner is the go to.

Big walleyes being found, as a rule, over deep mud.  Jigging, spinners and crankbaits are all catching the big fish.

Nice eaters still set up in 15-20′ outside both gaps on the south end of the lake as well as numerous areas of Big Traverse Bay.   Lots of anglers running north if conditions allow.

On the Rainy River…   Some good walleye, sturgeon and smallmouth bass reports from the Rainy River.  Water levels continue to drop.  

Shoreline breaks, current breaks, weed edges and holes holding a mixed bag.

 

Sturgeon anglers are reporting good numbers of fish.  Putting in a couple of days normally results in some success.  Holes and flats or saddles just off of the current good areas to look at.

Up at the NW Angle…  Lots of walleyes along with a mixed bag is the norm.  Some anglers fishing MN waters, others boating into Ontario waters from the Angle and fishing there.  Good reports across the board.

Angle resorts are located in MN right on the border.  Checking in with Canada Customs and being vaccinated is not needed if boating from the U.S. to Canada and not touching land, docks, anchoring, mooring or exchanging goods or services.

Little Traverse Bay (large open water east of Little Oak Island) still holding good numbers of walleyes over deep mud.

Typical summer spots are producing.  Sunken islands, neck down areas with moving water and points.  With 14,552 islands, lots of places to fish.

Muskie anglers reporting fish have been active with good numbers being caught.

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)

4.  Take your own boat.  (Safety first, this is a 40 mile ride over big water)

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

On the south end…  Summer walleye fishing remains excellent with limits of walleyes and saugers common.  Lake levels are slowly dropping and boat ramps are open.  

Nice pods of eater walleyes  in 12-20′ in front of Pine Island near both the Lighthouse and Morris Point gaps.  Most anglers using spinners and cranks.

Deep mud in 28 – 34′ holding good numbers of walleyes as is common this time of year.  Jigging with a frozen shiner or fathead is still working well.  Drifting spinners with crawlers and trolling crankbaits producing also.  Some anglers jig in the morning and switch to spinners or cranks come afternoon.

Reefs are holding nice numbers of walleyes.  Anchor up and jig or pull spinners.

On the Rainy River…   Good summer fishing continues on the Rainy River.  With decent current, current breaks are still holding fish.

Sturgeon anglers are reporting good numbers of fish.  A 4 ounce weight combined with a sturgeon rig loaded with crawlers has been the set up.

Big pike are feeding in bays and feeder rivers.  Smallies around rocks, current breaks, bays and bridges.

Up at the NW Angle…  Fishing has been great.  A mixed bag up at the Angle, with most targeting walleyes.  Jigging and pulling spinners have been the go to methods.

Areas such as reefs, neck down areas with moving water and points holding fish have been best.  Good numbers of walleyes on mud flats, often spread out but often in good numbers.  East of Little Oak Island in the deep mud has been holding nice walleyes.  

Muskie anglers continue to catch good numbers of fish casting shoreline structure.

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)

4.  Take your own boat.  (Safety first, this is a 40 mile ride over big water)

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

On the south end…  Summer walleye fishing is in full swing.  Boat ramps are available if you bring your own boat.  Resort charter boats are available and putting anglers on walleyes for those who want to make life easy.

Nice pods of eater walleyes  in 10-15′ in front of Pine Island near both the Lighthouse and Morris Point gaps.

Deep mud in 28 – 34′ holding large numbers of walleyes.  Drifting spinners with crawlers and trolling crankbaits have been effective.

Reefs in Big Traverse Bay are holding nice numbers of walleyes.  Anchored up and jigging or pulling spinners producing good fish.

Jumbo perch, pike and a few crappies in the mix as well.

On the Rainy River…   Good summer fishing continues on the Rainy River.  Areas out of the current continue to be good spots this year.

Sturgeon anglers catching some nice fish.  Anglers can catch and release fish or keep one sturgeon through the summer if a sturgeon tag is purchased.

Big pike are still active in bays and feeder rivers.  Smallies are living around rocks, current breaks, bays and bridges.

Up at the NW Angle…  Fishing on both sides of the border continue to be excellent.  Jigging and pulling spinners have been catching a lot of walleyes.

Go to areas such as reefs, neck down areas with moving water and points are holding fish.  Good numbers of walleyes also setting up on flats, often spread out but often in good numbers. 

Muskie anglers catching nice numbers of fish with some good quality fish over 50″ in the mix casting shoreline structure.

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)

4.  Take your own boat.  (Safety first, this is a 40 mile ride over big water)

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

On the south end…  Summer walleye fishing remains very good across Lake of the Woods.  Different schools of walleyes keying in on different forage offers anglers numerous opportunities.

Water levels are starting to drop and debris that is consistent with high water has flushed through the system.  Thankfully, fishing has been great despite a high water year.

A good bite for eater walleyes in 10-15 feet just off of Pine Island and other areas along the south shore.  Some are using spinners with crawlers to catch these fish but trolling crankbaits to cover water is also producing.  Some are still jigging which is still effective despite it being mid July.

Deep mud in 28 – 33′ this time of year holding good numbers of fish.  You just have to find what general area they are living in, get your baits in front of them and normally good things happen.

Others are leaning on more traditional techniques of spinners with a crawler or trolling crankbaits to catch their fish, which can be especially effective when fish are spread out.

Some of the reefs in Big Traverse Bay are holding nice numbers of walleyes.  Bobber fishing or jigging the top of the reefs or pulling spinners on the reef or on the transition where the rock meets the mud producing good fish.

In addition to walleyes, saugers, jumbo perch pike, smallmouth bass and even an occasional muskie, crappie or sturgeon are being caught on the basin.

On the Rainy River…   Some good summer fishing continues on the Rainy River this summer.  Areas out of the current have been the go to spots this year.

A nice mixed bag in the river includes walleyes, saugers, smallmouth bass, and pike.  Good numbers of shiners in the river.

Sturgeon anglers showing off some big fish being caught.  Anglers can catch and release fish or keep one sturgeon through the summer if a sturgeon tag is purchased.

Big pike are still prowling backwater bays and feeder rivers.  Smallies are living around rocks, current breaks, bays and bridges.

Up at the NW Angle…  Fishing on both sides of the border has been excellent.  Jigging and pulling spinners are the two techniques most anglers are using to catch their walleyes.

As water temps warm, some fish utilizing structure (underwater points, sunken islands, etc.) while some fish are gravitating to mud flats.  Jig where tighter concentrations of fish, pull spinners when fish are more spread out.  

Muskie anglers catching and releasing good number with some 50 inch plus fish in the mix.

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)

4.  Take your own boat.  (Safety first, this is a 40 mile ride over big water)

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

On the south end…  Fishing was excellent this week.  Resorts are open for business, fishing has been great and guests are catching fish.

The MN Tournament Trail was on LOW this week and the winning teams each day had walleyes averaging 8 lbs per walleye for their 5 fish total.  Day one winning weight was 39.75 lbs and day two was 41.00 lbs for this catch and release tournament.

Good numbers of walleyes being caught.  A nice bite for eaters in 10-15 feet just off of Pine Island and other areas on the south shore.  Most are pulling spinners with crawlers to catch these fish.

Another good bite taking place in deeper water over mud in that 28 – 31 feet of water in the basin.  Jigging with a fathead or frozen emerald shiner and pulling spinners with a crawler have been the goto methods.

Walleye fishing has been good on many of the scattered reefs in Big Traverse Bay.  Some days they are on top, other days on the edge or just off the edge over mud.    

Trolling crankbaits and covering water continues to be effective.  Shiny gold, firetiger and purple continue to be good colors.

Walleye anglers reporting a mixed bag including saugers, jumbo perch pike, smallmouth bass and even an occasional muskie, crappie or sturgeon.

On the Rainy River…   Anglers fishing the river report good summer fishing with fish on current breaks and bays as a rule.

A nice mixed bag in the river right now includes walleyes, saugers, smallmouth bass, and pike.  Lots of shiners in the river, which is drawing and keeping fish close.

Sturgeon anglers reporting some good action as the season opened July 1st.  Using a sturgeon rig loaded up with crawlers or crawlers and frozen emerald shiners combined with a no roll sinker is the go to technique.

Some big pike are still prowling back bays and feeder rivers.  Smallmouth bass are living around rocks and bridges.

Up at the NW Angle…  Fishing is excellent up at the Angle.  Anglers continue to fish both the U.S. side and Ontario side of the lake with good success.

Anglers are catching fish jigging, pulling spinners and trolling crankbaits.  A lot has to do with the structure you are fishing and if fish are congregated or spread out.  Jigging is most conducive when fish are congregated.

Anglers fishing rocks are still reporting crayfish in the bellies of walleyes.  Walleyes are normally active in these areas. 

Anglers fishing deep reefs and edges of reefs are still having success with gold, pink or glow jigs tipped with a minnow or plastic.  

A mixed bag for most anglers with walleyes, saugers, pike, smallmouth bass, crappies, jumbo perch and muskies.

Muskie anglers reported another strong week of fishing with a lot of fish caught and released with pike mixed in.

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)

4.  Take your own boat.  (Safety first, this is a 40 mile ride over big water)

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

On the south end…  Resorts / lodging facilities are doing a nice job adapting to high water conditions.  They are open for business, fishing has been great and they are taking good care of visitors.   

Good numbers of walleyes being caught.  Some fish are 10-15 feet on sand/rubble.  Other anglers are finding walleyes in deeper water, 25 – 31 feet over mud.  Pulling spinners with a crawler or minnow has been the goto method.  When you find fish congregated, that can be a good time to anchor up and jig them with a frozen shiner.

Walleyes almost always seem to be using the scattered reefs in the lake.  Some days they are on top, other days on the edge or just off the edge over mud.    

Trolling crankbaits and covering water continues to be effective.  Shiny gold, firetiger and purple are a few goto colors.  The key, getting lures to where the fish are.

In addition to walleyes and saugers, jumbo perch pike, smallmouth bass and even an occasional muskie, crappie or sturgeon are being caught.

On the Rainy River…   The river is still high and has a lot of current.  Anglers fishing the river are figuring out where fish are living and keying in on current breaks and bays as a rule.

A nice mixed bag in the river right now includes walleyes, saugers, smallmouth bass, and pike.  A good number of shiners in the river as well, which usually means lots of fish.

The sturgeon “keep” season opened July 1st and goes through September 30.  Purchase a $5 sturgeon tag if you are planning on harvesting one.  Otherwise, you can catch and release them with a MN Fishing License.  Limit is one sturgeon per calendar year per person, 45″ – 50″ inclusive or over 75″.

Some big pike being caught in bays and feeder rivers.  Smallmouth bass around rocks and bridges.

Up at the NW Angle…  Fishing continues to be very good up at the Angle.  Anglers are fishing both the U.S. side and Ontario side of the lake with good success.

A mayfly hatch this week.  Lots of fish over mud feeding on mayfly nymphs.  Pulling spinners with a piece of crawler during a hatch is a proven technique.  Hammered gold and pink spinners have been good.  

Anglers fishing rocks are reporting crayfish in the bellies of walleyes.  Walleyes are normally active in these areas.  Lots of forage in the lake, thankfully, as that is the infrastructure that supports lots of fish.

Anglers fishing deep reefs and edges of reefs are still having success with a jig and minnow or plastic.  If fish are spread out, use a 2 ounce bottom bouncer and crawler harness (snelled spinner) to cover water.  

A mixed bag for most anglers with walleyes, saugers, pike, smallmouth bass, crappies, jumbo perch and muskies.

Muskie anglers reported good numbers of fish caught this week.  If you are staying in the Angle and boat into Ontario waters from MN, as long as you don’t touch land, anchor, touch a dock while in Ontario, you don’t need to clear customs each day, don’t need to be vaccinated, etc.  If you do touch land in Ontario, you do need to clear customs daily before entering Ontario waters through the 888-CAN_PASS.

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)

4.  Take your own boat.  (Safety first, this is a 40 mile ride over big water)

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

On the south end…  Resorts are adapting to high water conditions.  Despite lots of water, the vast majority of resorts are open, charter boats are running, and summer fishing is in full swing. Most boat ramps are open including Wheeler’s Point and others.  Call ahead to your favorite resort or check their Facebook page for specifics.

Lots of walleyes being caught in many different locations.  Some fish are in 4-15 feet on sand capitalizing on shiner and minnow spawning.  Others are on shallow rocks eating crayfish.  Others are deeper, 25 – 33′, feeding on schools of minnows and various critters coming out of the mud.    

Some anglers are still jigging, but drifting with spinners with a crawler or minnow has been super effective this week.  Both methods are working.  Gold, glow, and pink have been good colors this week for jigs and spinners.

Trolling crankbaits and covering water has been very effective this past week.  Shiny gold and purple are a couple of good colors.  In addition to walleyes and saugers, pike, smallmouth bass and even an occasional muskie are being caught.

Anglers are allowed a combined limit of 6 walleyes and saugers on the MN side of LOW.  Up to 4 can be walleyes.  All walleyes between 19.5 – 28.0″ must be released.  One allowed over 28″ per day.  

On the Rainy River…   The river still has a lot of current.  Anglers keying in on current breaks as a rule.

A mixed bag in the river right now includes walleyes, saugers, smallmouth bass, and pike.  Sturgeon season reopens July 1st.

Current breaks off of the main channel for walleyes and saugers.  Smallmouth bass near rocky areas, feeder streams and bridge embankments.

Bays have been good for pike.  Lots of big pike and even good walleye reports in bays and feeder rivers to the Rainy River.  Lots of shiners in the river.

Up at the NW Angle…  Fishing continues to be very good up at the Angle.  Anglers are fishing both the U.S. side and Ontario side of the lake with good success.

Flag Island flats and areas around Garden Island were just a couple of areas good this week.  Lots of walleyes with some mixed in pike.  Fish being caught jigging, pulling spinners and trolling crankbaits.

A jig and minnow and pulling crawler harnesses have been good fishing deeper structure as well.  Neck down areas, rocky points and cabbage weeds all holding fish.  There are typically some fish shallow near shore morning and evening with good numbers being caught.

A mixed bag for most anglers with walleyes, saugers, pike, smallmouth bass, crappies and jumbo perch.

Excellent muskie fishing with numbers of fish being caught.

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)

4.  Take your own boat.  (Safety first, this is a 40 mile ride over big water)

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

On the south end…  Resorts are doing a nice job of adapting to high water conditions.  Despite lots of water, charter boats are running, fishing is in full swing and has been good.  Most boat ramps are open including Wheeler’s Point and others.

Walleyes are being caught in literally 4 – 30 feet of water. Different schools of walleyes are targeting various forage in the system.  

Some anglers are jigging, some drifting with spinners with a crawler or minnow.  Both methods are working.  Gold, glow, and pink have been good colors this week for jigs and spinners.

Trolling crankbaits hasn’t been as popular of a method but has been effective.  Some are trolling deeper depths while others are trolling shorelines with success, especially mornings and evenings.

For anglers wanting pike, bays, shoreline structure and the tops of rock reefs are good spots.  Lots of nice pike in the system.  The pike limit is 3 fish per day.  Pike 30 – 40 inches must be released.  Anglers can keep one fish per day over 40 inches. 

On the Rainy River…   The river still has a lot of current.  Anglers finding success have been keying in on current breaks as a rule.

A mixed bag in the river right now includes walleyes, saugers, smallmouth bass, and pike.  Sturgeon season reopens July 1st.

Current breaks off of the main channel for walleyes and saugers.  Smallmouth bass near rocky areas, feeder streams and bridge embankments.  Bays have been good for pike.

Up at the NW Angle…  Fishing continues to be very good up at the Angle.  Anglers are fishing both the U.S. side and Ontario side of the lake with good success.

Anglers who are staying on the U.S. side of the lake can boat into Canada without clearing customs as long as they don’t touch land, touch a dock, anchor up or exchange goods or services in Canada during the day.

For those intending on touching land in Canada after boating across, you must be vaccinated, complete the ArriveCan App and call the 888-CAN-PASS number to clear customs before boating over.

A jig and minnow and pulling crawler harnesses have been good with good fish in 15′ – 30′ as a rule.  There are typically some fish shallow near shore morning and evening with good numbers being caught.

A mixed bag for most anglers with walleyes, saugers, pike, smallmouth bass, crappies and jumbo perch.

The muskie season on the MN and Ontario side of LOW is open.   

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)

4.  Take your own boat.  (Safety first, this is a 40 mile ride over big water)

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

On the south end…  Resorts are open and fishing continues to be excellent.  Good numbers of walleyes being caught in 18′ – 30′ of water.  There is high water in the area but most lodging facilities have adjusted to accommodate.  Most boat ramps are open including Wheeler’s Point and others.

Vertical jigging is still catching the majority of walleyes.  Anchor up and jigging with an emerald shiner or fathead has been very productive.  Gold is always a goto color but glow, pink, orange, chartreuse or a combination of these colors can be lights out.  On bright days, darker color jigs (which provides a profile for walleyes looking up) can be good as well.

Some anglers reporting success drifting or trolling snelled spinners (harnesses) with a minnow or half crawler.  This technique will become stronger as summer progresses.

Crankbaits are almost always an option.  They cover water and produce reaction bites.  As water warms, increase trolling speeds.  Right around 2 MPH, give or take, is a good starting point now.

Walleyes and saugers are the most sought after fish, but you never know what you will hook into on LOW and most usually catch other varieties throughout the day.

On the Rainy River…   The river still has a lot of current.  Despite the current, some have figured out some key spots, normally related to current breaks, and are doing well.

A mixed bag in the river right now includes walleyes, saugers, smallmouth bass, and pike.  Sturgeon season reopens July 1st.

Current breaks off of the main channel for walleyes and saugers.  Bays have been good for pike.  Rocky areas, feeder streams and bridge embankments for smallmouth bass.

Up at the NW Angle…  Fishing is really strong up at the Angle.  As water is warming, anglers are catching fish in many locations using a variety of techniques.  There are simply a lot of fish around.

A jig and minnow has been the most common method with 18′ – 30′ as a rule.  There are always some fish shallow near shore morning and evening with good numbers being caught.

A mixed bag with walleyes, saugers, pike, smallmouth bass, crappies and jumbo perch.

If you like big predator fish like pike and muskies, the NW Angle and attached Ontario Zone 5 of Lake of the Woods is loaded with big fish.  Pike is open all year on both sides of the border.  The muskie season on the MN and Ontario side of LOW begins Saturday, June 18, 2022.   

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)

4.  Take your own boat.  (Safety first, this is a 40 mile ride over big water)

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

On the south end…  Fishing has been excellent.  Good numbers of walleyes being caught in 18′ – 28′ of water.  There is high water in the area but most lodging facilities have adjusted to accommodate.  Most boat ramps are open including Wheeler’s Point.

Most anglers are still vertical jigging.  Anchor up and jigging with an emerald shiner or fathead has been very productive.  Bright colors like gold, glow, pink, orange, chartreuse or a combo of these colors works well.

Some good reports for those drifting spinners this week.  Try either a minnow ro half crawler. 

A few anglers who are trolling crankbaits are catching as well.  Gold continues to be a good color for both crankbaits and spinner blades.

Walleyes, saugers, pike, jumbo perch and an occasional pike, crappie or sturgeon in the mix on Big Traverse Bay.

On the Rainy River…   The river has a lot of current with the dam wide open and high water levels.  Despite the current, some have figured out where the walleyes are and are doing well.

Current breaks adjacent to shorelines or the mouth of bays have been productive for those fishing the river.  Once you find fish, there are normally good numbers.

Bays have been good for pike.  Rocky current break areas for smallmouth bass.

Up at the NW Angle…  A really great week of fishing on both sides of the border.  Most anglers are targeting walleyes and catching good numbers of fish with an occasional trophy.

Again, a jig and minnow was by far the most common method vertically jigged below the boat.  Some anglers finding fish deep, over 30′.  Others are still finding fish shallow, trolling spinners and crankbaits in 5′ – 18′.

Shoreline structure during the first and last hours of the day is also producing nicely.

A mixed bag with walleyes, saugers, pike, smallmouth bass, crappies and jumbo perch.

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)

4.  Take your own boat.  (Safety first, this is a 40 mile ride over big water)

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