On the south end…  A really good week of fall walleye fishing.  Big numbers of fish being caught.  It should only improve as water temps get cooler.  This fall has been unseasonably warm. Big numbers of walleyes and saugers are set up along the south shore and anglers are catching a lot of fish.  

Most anglers are anchored up and jigging with a fathead or emerald shiner.  Live shiners are available and effective.  There are still a lot of walleyes being caught on spinners with minnows surprisingly.  Trolling crankbaits has also been catching a lot of fish.

The best reports are coming from 18-28 feet of water across the south shore in areas such as Pine Island, Morris Point, Zippel Bay, Graceton Beach, Long Point and Rocky Point.  Various schools within these depths. 

In addition to walleyes and saugers, pike, jumbo perch, sturgeon and even a few crappies are in the mix for walleye anglers.

On the Rainy River…   Emerald shiners continue to run in the Rainy River and more and more walleyes are entering the river each week.  Fishing has picked up but most believe when water temps reach the 40’s, it will get even better.  Currently, temps are in the low 50’s.

Jigging with a frozen or live shiner, is the go to method.  Emerald shiners are tough to beat this time of year.

Some reports of big fish being caught, but not in big numbers… yet.

Sturgeon activity continues good.  A gob of crawlers and/or frozen shiners on a sturgeon rig (18 inch leader made of 60lb test, circle hook and a 2-3 ounce no roll sinker) is the ticket.  The catch and release season continues through April 23, 2022.

Up at the NW Angle…

Fall fishing up at the Angle continues to be excellent.  Most anglers are using a jig and minnow or jig and plastic.  Some strong reports with warmer than normal water of spinners with a minnow or plastic being the hot bait.

Gold, pink and/or glow colored jigs and spinners are doing well.  Reminder, no live, frozen or dead bait being able to be transported over the border from the U.S. into Canada, consequently anglers boating into Ontario waters reporting various plastics on their jigs and spinners working great.

Various areas of structure such as points, reefs and sandy areas in neck downs continue to hold good fish.  12-26 feet is the range depending upon the spot.

Big crappies are in their fall spots and being caught on jigs and minnows in 25-30′ around various structure.

Muskie anglers report good fishing overall.  Trollers report mixed results.  One day is great, the other not so much.  Covering water trolling is a strong fall muskie technique and should get better as water cools.

Travel to and from the Angle via vehicle through the 40 miles of Canada is open.  Boating into Canadian waters is now open.

Charter boat transport and float planes are still available through the LOW Passenger Service and Lake Country Air.

A complete list of lodging, fishing and ice fishing packages around LOW, the NW Angle, Baudette and the Rainy River at www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/Lodging.  

On the south end…  An incredible week of walleye fishing and it should only get better throughout the month as the water cools.  With traditional fall walleye movements around the lake, big numbers of walleyes and saugers are set up along the south shore and anglers are catching a lot of fish.  

Most anglers are anchored up and jigging with a fathead or emerald shiner.  Live shiners are available and effective.  There are still walleyes being caught on spinners with minnows as well as trolling crankbaits.

The best reports are coming from 18-30 feet of water.  

In addition to walleyes and saugers, pike, jumbo perch and sturgeon are in the mix for walleye anglers.

On the Rainy River…   Emerald shiners continue to run in the Rainy River and more and more walleyes are entering the river each week.  Fishing has picked up consequently.

Jigging with a minnow, in many cases a frozen or live shiner, is the go to method.  Emerald shiners are a favorite native forage for walleyes in this system.

With 42 miles of navigable river and lots of boat ramps from Wheeler’s Point through Baudette east to Birchdale, there are many stretches of river to fish.  Good reports up and down the river.  Schools of walleyes are moving through chasing shiners.

Sturgeon activity continues to pick up with good fall reports.  A gob of crawlers and/or frozen shiners on a sturgeon rig (18 inch leader made of 60lb test, circle hook and a 2-3 ounce no roll sinker) is the ticket.  The catch and release season continues through April 23, 2022.

Up at the NW Angle…

Fall fishing up at the Angle and just over the border adjacent to the Angle continues to be excellent.  Most anglers are using a jig and minnow or jig / plastic with some still pulling spinners and trolling crankbaits.

3/8 ounce gold, pink or glow colored jigs have been hot.  With no live, frozen or dead bait being able to be transported over the border from the U.S. into Canada, NW Angle anglers fishing into Ontario reporting various plastics on their jigs and spinners working great.

Areas with structure and sandy areas in neck down areas continue to hold good fish.  14 – 27 feet is the range depending upon the spot.  

Big crappies are in their fall spots and being caught on jigs and minnows in 25-30′ around various structure.

Muskie anglers report good fishing overall.  During stable weather, fish were shallow.  Cold front pushed the muskies deeper.  Covering water trolling is a strong fall muskie technique and should get better as water cools.   

Travel to and from the Angle via vehicle through the 40 miles of Canada is open.  Boating into Canadian waters is now open.

Charter boat transport and float planes are still available through the LOW Passenger Service and Lake Country Air.

A complete list of lodging and fishing packages around LOW, the NW Angle, Baudette and the Rainy River at www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/Lodging.  

On the south end…  The jig bite has begun and walleyes and saugers are cooperating very nicely.  The walleyes continue to transition to fall locations including in 25-30′ in front of Pine Island and west along the south shore have been hot.  

A nice mix of walleyes and saugers with perch and pike mixed in.  Lots of good eaters along with some sorting of smaller fish.  Most anglers anchored up and jigging with a fathead or emerald shiner.  Strong jig colors, gold, orange, glow white, pink or a combo.

Some anglers trolling crankbaits with success.  This is a good method if the jigging bite isn’t happening or if water goes flat. 

The month of October is an excellent time to fish walleyes.  If you like the jig bite, anchor up and jig over the side of the boat for a very enjoyable and typically memorable day.  Charters and guides are available with area resorts.

Pike continue to be active with the cooling water temps.

On the Rainy River…   Emerald shiners continue to run in the Rainy River and overall the walleye fishing has been good.

Most walleye anglers on the river are anchoring up along a current seam or on the edge of a hole with a jig and minnow.  Try different areas.  There are 42 miles of navigable river and lots of boat ramps.  In some cases, it is helpful to find your own spots and get away from other boats.

Sturgeon activity has picked up as well with good fall reports.  A gob of crawlers and/or frozen shiners on a sturgeon rig (18 inch leader made of 60lb test with a 2-3 ounce no roll sinker) is the ticket.  The keep season ends September 30, 2021.  The catch and release season continues through April 23, 2022.

Up at the NW Angle…

Excellent fishing this week.  In U.S. waters, deep mud of Little Traverse Bay continues producing walleyes in 24 – 31 feet.  Spinners with crawlers or minnows still producing.

Areas with structure and sandy areas in neck down areas continue to hold fish.  14 – 19 feet are good starting points.  Jig and a minnow is the goto on structure and neck down areas.

Big crappies being caught on jigs and minnows in 25-32′ around structure.

Muskie anglers report good fish being boated trolling and casting shiny crankbaits.   

Travel to and from the Angle via vehicle through the 40 miles of Canada is open.  Boating into Canadian waters is now open.  Please note, no live, frozen or dead bait allowed into Canada from the U.S.  The various plastics on a jig are working well.  Contact a NW Angle resort for details.

Charter boat transport and float planes are still available through the LOW Passenger Service and Lake Country Air.

A complete list of lodging and fishing packages around LOW, the NW Angle, Baudette and the Rainy River at www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/Lodging.  

On the south end…  A fun week of walleye fishing as the water temps cool to the low 60’s and fall colors have started.  The walleye are transitioning to fall locations.  Three different methods used to catch walleyes this week.  Drifting spinners, trolling crankbaits and anchored up and jigging with a minnow, which is becoming more effective each week.  

Walleyes setting up across the south shore and with more shiners running, this trend will continue.  Jigging with a frozen shiner or live fathead has really started to be effective.  Give it 30-40 minutes and set up in a different spot if there is no action.

Congrats to all MN Tournament Trail tournament anglers this past week.  The winning team had a 7.52 lb avg per walleye for 10 fish.  There are a lot of big walleyes in Lake of the Woods right now.

Daily limit is a combined limit of six walleyes and saugers (with up to 4 being walleyes).   Don’t forget the slot, 19.5″ – 28″ must be returned with one allowed over 28″ per day.

Fall is an excellent time to fish walleyes.  If you like the jig bite, anchor up and jig over the side of the boat for a very enjoyable and typically memorable day.

Pike are active and most are caught but unsuspecting walleye anglers.  The feedbag is definitely on.

On the Rainy River…   Emerald shiners continue to run in the Rainy River.  Some good runs so far, good angler reports and nice walleyes being caught.  Fall on the river is nice as a small boat will work just fine.

Most walleye anglers on the river are anchoring up along an edge or in a hole with a jig and minnow.  There are 42 miles of navigable Rainy River from Wheeler’s Point through Baudette to Birchdale with lots of boat ramps.

Sturgeon activity has picked up as well with good fall reports.

Up at the NW Angle…

Excellent fishing continues on both sides of the border.  In U.S. waters, deep mud of Little Traverse Bay continues producing walleyes in 24 – 31 feet.  Gold, white and orange spinners with a crawler or a minnow continue to be effective.  As water cools, minnows on some days are outfising crawlers.

Areas with structure continue to hold fish.  18 – 27 feet are good starting points.  Jig and a minnow is the goto on structure and neck down areas.

Pike and muskie anglers are locating fish on weedy points using double blade spinners and topwater.  A lot of fish are caught on figure eight.

Travel to and from the Angle via vehicle through the 40 miles of Canada is open.  Boating into Canadian waters is now open.  Please note, no live, frozen or dead bait allowed into Canada from the U.S.  The various plastics on a jig are working well.  Contact a NW Angle resort for details.

Charter boat transport and float planes are still available through the LOW Passenger Service and Lake Country Air.

A complete list of lodging and fishing packages around LOW, the NW Angle, Baudette and the Rainy River at www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/Lodging.  

On the south end…  Great walleye action this week with numerous pike mixed in.  Walleyes are starting to gravitate to fall patterns.  Walleyes being caught in various depths 13 – 34 feet of water.  Most anglers are still drifting with spinners or trolling crankbaits, but the jig bite is picking up steam.

Water temps in the upper 50’s and low 60’s.  Walleyes setting up across the south shore and with more shiners running, this trend will continue.  

Reef fishing is starting to pick up.  Jigging with a frozen shiner on or near reefs is a fall goto and things are just starting.

September and October are excellent months to fish walleyes.  If you like the jig bite, anchored up with a jig and minnow, this is a fun time of year.

On the Rainy River…   Emerald shiners are continuing to run in the Rainy River.  Some good runs so far and walleyes are showing up.  Anglers are catching fish in the river.  Fall is here.

Most walleye anglers on the river will anchor up along an edge or in a hole with a jig and minnow.  Fishing is taking place from Wheeler’s Point to Baudette to Birchdale.

Fall is a great time to fish sturgeon, bass and pike on the river, although the vast majority of anglers are after walleyes.

Up at the NW Angle…  

Excellent fishing continues on both sides of the border.  In U.S. waters, deep mud of Little Traverse Bay continues producing walleyes in 24 – 31 feet.  Gold, white and orange spinners with a crawler or a minnow is effective.  Minnows on some days are starting to be preferred by the walleyes.  Try both.

Areas with structure continue to hold fish.  18 – 27 feet are good starting points.  Jig and a minnow is the goto.

Pike and muskie anglers are locating fish on weedy points using double blade spinners and topwater.  Some nice fish boated this week.

Travel to and from the Angle via vehicle through the 40 miles of Canada is open.  Boating into Canadian waters is now open.  Please note, no live, frozen or dead bait allowed into Canada from the U.S.  The various plastics on a jig are working well.  Contact a NW Angle resort for details.

Charter boat transport and float planes are still available through the LOW Passenger Service and Lake Country Air.

A complete list of lodging and fishing packages around LOW, the NW Angle, Baudette and the Rainy River at www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/Lodging.  

On the south end… A great week of walleye fishing. 20 – 34 feet of water still holding various schools of walleyes. Most anglers are still drifting with spinners or trolling crankbaits.

As the water begins to cool, the jig bite will pick up. There are already a good number of walleyes across the south shore and with more shiners running, this trend will continue.

Reef fishing will get better as the water cools. Depending upon the day, fish might be staged on top, on the sides or adjacent to the reef in the mud.

September and October are excellent months to fish walleyes.

On the Rainy River… More and more emerald shiners are showing up in the Rainy River. Some good runs so far. Mother Nature makes the call on when and how things happen. The geese are flying, water cooling and more anglers catching walleyes in the river. It’s not a slamfest yet, but the numbers of walleyes are definitely increasing. Fall is here.

Most walleye anglers on the river will anchor up along an edge or in a hole with a jig and minnow. Walleyes are still hitting crankbaits and spinners and these can be effective in locating fish.

Fall is a great time to fish sturgeon, bass and pike on the river, although the vast majority of anglers are after walleyes.

Up at the NW Angle…

Great fishing continues on both sides of the border. In U.S. waters, deep mud of Little Traverse Bay continues producing walleyes in 24 – 31 feet. Gold, white and orange spinners with a crawler or a minnow is effective. Minnows on some days are starting to be preferred by the walleyes. Try both.

Areas with structure typically holds some fish. 18 – 27 feet are good starting points. Don’t be afraid to try numerous “goto” spots until you find fish.

Pike and muskie anglers are locating fish on weedy points using jerkbaits and topwater. This action typically increases as waters cool.

Travel to and from the Angle via vehicle through the 40 miles of Canada is open. Boating into Canadian waters is now open. Please note, no live, frozen or dead bait allowed into Canada from the U.S. The various plastics on a jig are working well. Contact a NW Angle resort for details.

Charter boat transport and float planes are still available through the LOW Passenger Service and Lake Country Air.

A complete list of lodging and fishing packages around LOW, the NW Angle, Baudette and the Rainy River at www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/Lodging.

On the south end…  Another really strong week of walleye fishing.  

One of the main areas to fish is still deep mud.  Basically 28 – 34 feet of water.  Various schools of walleyes move around the basin relating to different kinds of forage.  

Big walleyes eat a lot of everything but really key in on tullibees (ciscos) who live primarily in the basin.  Other forage can be perch, perch minnows, emerald shiners, blood worms, crayfish, and the list goes on.  

Various schools holding shallower, over rocks or sand, based on bait options in that area.  Reefs are still holding fish, normally on the sides and base where rock meets the mud.

Drifting or trolling spinners with crawlers and trolling crankbaits are still very effective for catching walleyes this week.

As we approach mid to late September and October, the jig bite will fire back up!

On the Rainy River…   Walleyes hanging out in some of the deeper holes throughout the river.  Moving up and down the river, hitting numerous spots until you find which areas have walleyes is a good method for success.

Some anglers trolling crankbaits to cover water.  Oftentimes, walleyes won’t show up on electronics if they are laying in a depression in the river bottom.  Only way to know is to fish the area.

Bass and pike are plentiful on structure, docks and weed edges.  Hitting various “goto” spots up and down the river is a fun and normally productive day.

The sturgeon “keep” season continues through Sep. 30.  Catch and release Oct 1 – April 23, 2022.

Up at the NW Angle…  

Great fishing continues on both sides of the border.  In U.S. waters, deep mud of Little Traverse Bay continues producing walleyes in 28 – 33 feet.  Gold, white and orange spinners with a crawler is effective.

Underwater points, sunken islands and neck down areas with a bit of current in 18 – 27 feet holding fish.  These areas are good areas to jig.

Pike and muskie anglers are still finding good fish on weedy points using jerkbaits and topwater. 

Travel via vehicle through Canada to the Angle is open.  Boating into Canadian waters is now open.  Contact a NW Angle resort for details.

Charter boat transport and float planes are still available through the LOW Passenger Service and Lake Country Air.

A complete list of lodging and fishing packages around LOW, the NW Angle, Baudette and the Rainy River at www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/Lodging.  

On the south end…  The walleye fishing remains good.  It really helps to be versatile.  It seems one day fish are set up in an area and the next they slid somewhere else.  

There has been some good fishing in 25-29′ in front of Pine Island.  When the south wind blows, the Zippel Bay and Graceton Beach area have been productive.  These fish have been in the 17-21′ area and are mainly small fish and eaters with some slots thrown in.

Still big numbers of fish in various areas of the deep mud, 28-24′.  

Reefs are still holding some fish as well.  Fish could be on top, on the sides or relating to the deep mud just off of the edges over the mud.   

Drifting or trolling spinners with crawlers and trolling crankbaits are the goto techniques for putting fish in the boat.

Hammered gold with glow white or glow red, yellow, orange and red/white are colors doing well.  

The top team in the AIM MN Championship on Friday and Saturday had 88.62 lbs for 10 walleyes to take first place.  Some big fish were caught despite windy conditions.   

On the Rainy River…   The river producing a mixed bag of walleyes, saugers, pike, bass, and sturgeon.  Spinners / crawlers or trolling crankbaits are a good way to locate walleyes.  Some walleyes holding in deep holes can be jigged once you find them.  

Bass and pike holding on structure, docks and weed edges.  Hitting various “goto” spots up and down the river is a fun and normally productive day.

The sturgeon “keep” season continues through Sep. 30.  Catch and release Oct 1 – April 23, 2022.

Up at the NW Angle…  

Great fishing continues on both sides of the border.  In U.S. waters, deep mud of Little Traverse Bay continues producing walleyes in 28 – 33 feet.  Spinners and crankbaits are effective in covering water and catching these fish as there are various pods scattered in the deep mud.

Various structure, such as underwater points and sunken islands, are also holding some walleyes, as they normally do.  Not all walleyes in the system are keyed into the same forage.  

Pike and muskie anglers finding fish on weedy points using jerkbaits and topwater. 

Travel via vehicle through Canada to the Angle now open.  Boating into Canadian waters is now open.

To travel up to the Angle and avoid the border crossing, vaccination cards and COVID test results, charter boat transport and float planes are available through the LOW Passenger Service and Lake Country Air.

A complete list of lodging and fishing packages around LOW at www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/Lodging.  For last minute lodging, try the lodging availability finder at www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com/lodging-availability-request/

On the south end…  A good walleye bite this week.  A goto summer pattern on LOW is fishing the various schools of walleyes over the miles of deep mud in the basin called Big Traverse Bay.  Targeting walleyes in 30-34′ of water is a good bet as there are a lot of fish roaming the basin.

Reefs are still holding some fish as well.  Fish could be on top, on the sides or relating to the deep mud just off of the edges over the mud.   

The two primary techniques are drifting or trolling spinners with crawlers and trolling crankbaits.  As fish are not schooled tightly this time of year, covering water by drifting or trolling is a good strategy.

Hammered gold, yellow, orange and gold/glow white are colors doing well.  

The top team in the Warrior Boats David A. Andersen Memorial Shootout on Saturday had over an 8 lb average per walleye for five walleyes!  Lots of big walleyes in the lake.

On the Rainy River…   The river was a backup for many anglers with a couple of windy days this week.  A variety of fish being caught including walleyes, saugers, pike, bass, and sturgeon.  Spinners / crawlers or trolling crankbaits are a good way to locate walleyes.  

Bass and pike holding on structure, docks and weed edges.

The sturgeon “keep” season continues through Sep. 30.  Catch and release Oct 1 – April 23, 2022.

Up at the NW Angle…  Anglers are now allowed to fish both the U.S. side and Canadian side of the border up at the Angle.  Those boating into Canada waters are not required to check into Canada Customs unless you are touching land or dock, doing a shore lunch, mooring, etc.  If you plan on touching land or do a shore lunch, check in via 888-CAN-PASS.

In U.S. waters, deep mud of Little Traverse Bay still holding walleyes in 28 – 33 feet.  Spinners and crankbaits are effective in covering water and catching these fish.

The goto structure areas such as underwater points, sunken islands and neck down areas also holding walleyes.

Travel via vehicle through Canada to the Angle now open.  Boating into Canadian waters is now open.  To travel up to the Angle and avoid the border crossing, charter boat transport and float planes are available through the LOW Passenger Service and Lake Country Air.

A complete list of lodging and fishing packages around LOW at www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/Lodging.  For last minute lodging, try the lodging availability finder at www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com/lodging-availability-request/

On the south end…  A consistent summer walleye pattern continues with lots of “eater” walleyes (under 19.5″), slot fish (19.5 – 28″) which are great picture fish that must be released and trophy fish (over 28″) which one is allowed.  

One consistent summer pattern on LOW is walleyes over the miles and miles of deep mud.  Targeting walleyes in 30-34′ of water is a good bet as there are a lot of fish roaming the basin.

A second pattern is fishing on or near structure, which can always be good.  Imagine, the majority of the basin is mud so when a rock reef emerges amongst miles of mud bottom, it will oftentimes hold bait and is simply an attractor.  If fish aren’t directly on the reef, often they are in the mud around it.  

The two primary techniques are drifting or trolling spinners with crawlers and trolling crankbaits.  Covering water is a good strategy.

Hammered gold, chartreuse, yellow, orange and red / white are colors doing well.  

On the Rainy River…   Anglers targeting a variety of fish on the Rainy River.  Most walleye anglers are fishing the lake this time of year but some good walleyes live in the river year round and offer good opportunities.  Holes, current breaks, rock piles and weed edges can all hold fish.

Pike adjacent to weeds and current breaks.  Smallmouth bass in great numbers throughout the river.

The sturgeon “keep” season continues through Sep. 30.  Catch and release Oct 1 – April 23, 2022.

Up at the NW Angle…  The Canada border opened August 9th to American travelers with a vaccination card and negative PCR COVID test less than 72 hours old.  That means driving to the Angle is once again possible.  Boating from the Angle into Canada is also once again allowed.

Great walleye fishing up at the Angle this week.  Anglers who slid over the border to fish the Ontario side Aug 9 said fishing was spectacular.  The walleyes, bass, pike and muskies have not seen many, if any, lures for two summers!

Much like the south end, one area still holding fish is the deep mud of Little Traverse Bay.  Walleyes are set up over mud in 28 – 33 feet.  Spinners and crankbaits are effective in covering water and catching these fish.

To travel up to the Angle and avoid the border crossing, services are available.

1.  The LOW Passenger Service, charter boat shuttle service from the south end, is open and running.  2.  If you have the right boat and expertise, boating across is an option.  3.  And finally, Lake Country Air flying service, a float plane service from the south end of the lake.  

A complete list of lodging and fishing packages around LOW at www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/Lodging.  For last minute lodging, try the lodging availability finder at www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com/lodging-availability-request/