On the south end… Most resorts have pulled off fish houses for the season with a few resorts adjacent to better ice conditions still ice fishing.  Big pike are active and staging adjacent to spawning areas. Most fish are being caught on tip ups with live sucker minnows or a dead bait like a tullibee.  Most pike angling taking place in 5-15′ of water.

Walleye anglers finding fish 15 – 30′ of water.  A morning / evening bite shallower, walleyes and saugers during the day in deeper water.

On the Rainy River…   The Rainy River is starting to open!  Some small boats pushing over shoreline ice at Nelson Park in Birchdale.  The middle of the river is open with the boat ramp still ice covered as of 3-16-21.  It may open in coming days.  

Safety first.  Life preservers, warm weather gear, a knife to cut anchor rope if drifting ice gets caught in rope, and of course common sense.  Please have patience for your fellow anglers when the accesses open up.  Use slower speed and caution on Hwy 11 near access points.  Do not block approaches to fields, etc. when parking.  

Up at the NW Angle…  Looking ahead to open water, there are various ways to travel to the NW Angle without crossing the border.  If you have the right boat and expertise, boating across is an option.  There is also the Lake of the Woods Passenger Service (charter boat shuttle to Angle).  And finally, Lake Country Air flying service, a float plane service out of Baudette and other locations.

The majority of ice fishing is finished up at the Angle.  Some locals are still fishing but most are looking forward to open water.  A complete list of lodging and ice fishing packages available at www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/Lodging

On the south end…  Lots of ice fishing is still happening in some areas while other areas are dealing with ice upheavals due to temperature fluctuations.  Some parts of the lake are very accessible, but It is a good idea to call ahead or watch the Facebook page of the resort or outfitter you are fishing with for any updates.

Mixed reports.  Some catching lots of fish with quite a bit of sorting for keepers happening while others are catching one here, one there.  Some nice slot fish (between 19.5 – 28.0 inches) being caught and released.  Also some trophy walleyes (28 – 33 inches) caught this week.  24-32 feet has been the best bite.  Lures with some noise such as jigging spoons or small lipless crankbaits with rattles are helpful.  Gold, glow, glow red, pink and green solid colors this week.  On the deadstick, a colored hook with a live fathead has been effective.

Big pike being caught on tip-ups with a quick strike rig and either live sucker or large dead baitfish in 5 – 15′ of water.

On the Rainy River…   Morning / evening bite the best.  Remember, March 1st – April 14th, catch and release only for walleyes on Four Mile Bay and the Rainy River.  As warmer temps and melting happening, use extreme caution on the river.  River east of Birchdale showing some open water, spring fishing is around the corner.

Up at the NW Angle…  With the border closure, there are four ways to travel to the NW Angle without crossing the border.  1.  NW Angle Guest Ice Road from south shore up to the Angle.  2.  Snowmobile trails across the lake.  3.  Lake of the Woods Passenger Service (bombardier).  4.  Lake Country Air flying service.

Nice walleyes caught this week up at the NW Angle.  Fish have been finicky, try downsizing presentations and using some noise to attract them and fire them up.  Walleyes in 22 – 31′ of water.  Some big pike caught both on tip ups and by walleye anglers.  Communicate with your favorite NW Angle resort for specifics.  Ice fishing on LOW through March.  Remember, a new MN Fishing License is required March 1st.  A complete list of lodging and ice fishing packages available at www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/Lodging

On the south end…  Fish houses can be on the ice through March 31st.  Walleyes are open through April 14th, pike never close.  A good week of fishing despite a number of temperature changes.  A variety of walleyes, saugers, perch, pike, tullibee and eelpout being caught in 29-33 feet.  Jigging spoons with a glow stick or rattles tipped with a piece of minnow for the jigging line.  On the deadstick, a colored hook with a live fathead has been effective.  Electronics are helpful to show suspended fish.  When suspended fish are spotted, reel up quickly before fish swims through.  When your lure is 2 feet below the fish, reel up to the fish slowly so you don’t spook the fish.  The suspended fish have been larger walleyes overall.

Big pike being caught on tip-ups with a quick strike rig and either live sucker or large dead baitfish in 5 – 15′ of water.

On the Rainy River…   Morning / evening bite continues to be the best.  Remember, March 1st – April 14th, catch and release only for walleyes on Four Mile Bay and the Rainy River.  The snowmobile trail on the river from Baudette to Wheeler’s Point to the NW Angle staked and groomed.

Up at the NW Angle…  With the border closure, there are four ways to travel to the NW Angle without crossing the border.  1.  NW Angle Guest Ice Road from south shore up to the Angle.  2.  Snowmobile trails across the lake.  3.  Lake of the Woods Passenger Service (bombardier).  4.  Lake Country Air flying service.

A good number of walleyes caught this week up at the NW Angle.  Walleyes in 24 – 31′ of water.  Jigging with a lure producing noise with rattles is effective.  Tip jigging spoons with minnow head, tail or whole minnow.  Experiment until you figure out what the walleyes want.  Plain hook or a glow jig with a live minnow on deadstick.  Communicate with your favorite NW Angle resort for specifics.  Ice fishing on LOW through March.  Remember, a new MN Fishing License is required March 1st.  A complete list of lodging and ice fishing packages available at www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/Lodging

On the south end…  Despite the cold weather, some good fishing reports up on Lake of the Woods this week.  A nice mix of walleyes and saugers being caught in 29-33 feet.  The cold weather made some of the fish less active, so coaxing them was key.  Using a jigging line in one hole with lures that put out vibration or noise was helpful.  That combined with a deadstick in your second hole with either a glow jig or plan hook and a minnow.  Keep the jigging line moving to attract fish.  Try gold, glow white, glow red, wonderbread and pink.  Lures that glow, have a glow stick or make noise are effective in the stained water.

Electronics are helpful to show suspended fish as well as how fish are reacting to your presentation.  Some bait shops and resorts will rent units for the day.

On the Rainy River…   Morning and evening bite producing some walleyes on the river.  A variety of areas being fished with low flow and cold temps.  The snowmobile trail on the river from Baudette to Wheeler’s Point to the NW Angle staked and groomed.  Use caution and work through a resort, outfitter or gain info from a bait shop as there is current and areas not fit for travel on the river.

Up at the NW Angle…  With the border closure, there are four ways to travel to the NW Angle without crossing the border.  1.  NW Angle Guest Ice Road from south shore up to the Angle.  2.  Snowmobile trails across the lake.  3.  Lake of the Woods Passenger Service (bombardier).  4.  Lake Country Air flying service.

A lot of nice walleyes caught up at the Angle this week with a mix of other species.  Walleyes in 24 – 30′ of water.  Some resorts are fishing structure, others fishing deep mud.  Jigging with noisy lures 3-4′ off of the bottom is a good way to pull in fish.    Plain hook or a glow jig with a live minnow on deadstick.  Some days, the jigging line is hot, others the bobbers are going down.  Communicate with your favorite NW Angle resort for specifics.  Ice fishing on LOW through March.  A complete list of lodging and ice fishing packages available at www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/Lodging

On the south end…  A good week of fishing up on Lake of the Woods.  Cold weather is welcomed as the fish houses are warm!  Remember, ice fishing is open through March.  A nice variety of walleyes and saugers being caught in 29-33 feet.  Use a jigging line in one hole and a deadstick with a live minnow in the other.  Keep the jigging line moving to attract fish.  Try gold, glow white, glow red and pink.  Lures that glow or with a glow stick effective in the stained water.

Fish range in size.  A typical day will usually include small fish, eaters, some slots (19.5 – 28″ to be released) and even a big walleye over 28″ on occasion.  The limit of walleyes and saugers on LOW is a combined limit of 6 fish, with up to 4 of the 6 being walleyes.  Walleyes 19.5 – 28″ must be released.  One fish over 28″ allowed per day.  Anglers also catching jumbo perch, pike, eelpout, tullibees and every once in a while, a crappie or sturgeon.

Electronics are helpful to show suspended fish as well as how fish are reacting to your presentation.  Some bait shops and resorts will rent units for the day.

On the Rainy River…   Morning and evening bite still the best on the river.  The snowmobile trail on the river from Baudette to Wheeler’s Point to the NW Angle staked and groomed.  Use caution and work through a resort, outfitter or gain info from a bait shop as there is current and areas not fit for travel on the river.

Up at the NW Angle…  With the border closure, there are four ways to travel to the NW Angle without crossing the border.  1.  NW Angle Guest Ice Road from south shore up to the Angle.  2.  Snowmobile trails across the lake.  3.  Lake of the Woods Passenger Service (bombardier).  4.  Lake Country Air flying service.

A good week of walleye fishing mixed with perch, eelpout, pike and tullibees.  Walleyes are following their typical pattern, sliding off of structure into that 26 – 30′ of water.  As a rule, structure morning / evening and deep mud or rocks during the day.  Ripping Raps or jigging spoons with a rattle tipped with a piece of minnow head or tail working well.  Plain hook or a glow jig with a live minnow on deadstick.  Communicate with your favorite NW Angle resort for specifics.  A complete list of lodging and ice fishing packages available at www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/Lodging

On the south end…  As the season progresses, anglers are following the walleyes, which in their typical winter pattern, are moving further from shore.  Walleyes and saugers being caught in 30-33 feet.  A mix of different size fish continue to be caught with sorting taking place to find the keepers.  Jigging with lures with a rattle or vibration has been effective in both catching and attracting fish.  Use a deadstick as your second line.  Normally a jig or plain hook with a live minnow under a bobber just off of the bottom will work well.  Electronics are helpful to show suspended fish as well as how fish are reacting to your presentation.  Some bait shops and resorts will rent units for the day.  Popular lure colors in the stained waters, gold, glow colors, and bright colors like pink.  Some trophy fish (over 28″) and slot fish (19.5 – 28″) continue to be caught.

On the Rainy River…   Ice fishing on areas of the river continues to produce some nice walleyes with mornings and evenings being best.  As ice conditions vary greatly on the river as there is moving water, we encourage guests who don’t know the river to work through a resort for safety.  The snowmobile trail on the river from Baudette to Wheeler’s Point to the NW Angle staked and groomed.

Up at the NW Angle…  With the border closure, there are three ways to travel to the NW Angle without crossing the border.  1.  NW Angle Guest Ice Road is open!  2.  Snowmobile trails across the lake are open.  3.  Lake of the Woods Passenger Service (bombardier).

Some nice walleyes and saugers being caught up at the Angle with perch, eelpout, pike and tullibees mixed in.  On structure, morning and evenings the best while picking at the fish throughout the day.  If fishing deep mud, better daytime bite. Ripping Raps or jigging spoons with a rattle tipped with a piece of minnow head or tail working well.  Plain hook with a live minnow on deadstick.  Communicate with your favorite NW Angle resort for specifics.  A complete list of lodging and ice fishing packages available at www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/Lodging

On the south end…  Walleyes and saugers sliding into a bit deeper water with 26-30 feet being where most are fishingl  Good numbers of fish continue to be caught with a lot of sorting the future small fish in the system and choosing just the right ones for a fish fry.  Make some noise!  Jigging with lures with a rattle or vibration has been effective in both catching and attracting fish.  Use your second line, use as a deadstick, a jig or plain hook with a live minnow under a bobber set at 6 inches to a foot off of the bottom.  Electronics are helpful to show fish, how they are reacting to your presentation and when they are suspended.  Popular lure colors… gold, glow red, glow white, pink and green.  Nice numbers of walleyes over 28 inches caught this week. Walleyes, saugers, jumbo perch, big pike, tullibees, eelpout and even an occasional crappie or sturgeon being caught on Big Traverse Bay.

On the Rainy River…   Ice fishing on areas of the river continues to produce some walleyes mornings and evenings. As ice conditions vary greatly on the river as there is moving water, we encourage guests who don’t know the river to work through a resort for safety.  The snowmobile trail on the river from Baudette to Wheeler’s Point to the NW Angle is open.

Up at the NW Angle…  With the border closure, there are four ways to travel to the NW Angle without crossing the border.  1.  NW Angle Guest Ice Road is open!  2.  Snowmobile trails across the lake are open.  3.  Lake of the Woods Passenger Service (bombardier).  4.  Lake Country Air.

Walleyes, saugers and jumbo perch with an occasional pike, eelpout, or tullibee in the mix up at the NW Angle.  22-27′ has been the goto depth for most anglers.  No surprise, pink and gold have been hot colors, a LOW favorite with the stained waters.  Communicate with your favorite NW Angle resort for specifics.  A complete list of lodging and ice fishing packages available at www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/Lodging

On the south end…  Good numbers of walleyes and saugers are being caught this week, but a lot of sorting as lots of small fish in the system  Most ice fishing is taking place between 23 – 31′.  Jigging one line on one line and using a bobber with a live minnow on the other is the goto strategy.  Electronics are helpful to show suspended fish coming through such as walleyes and tullibees.  Popular colors… gold, glow red, glow white, pink and orange.  Lures with a red light stick and rattle baits are also effective.  Some big walleyes over 28 inches caught this week. Walleyes, saugers, jumbo perch, big pike, tullibees, eelpout and even an occasional crappie being caught on Big Traverse Bay.

On the Rainy River…   Ice fishing on areas of the river continues to produce some walleyes mornings and evenings. Ice conditions vary greatly on the river as there is moving water.  Work through a resort for safety.

Up at the NW Angle…  With the border closure, there are four ways to travel to the NW Angle without crossing the border.  1.  NW Angle Guest Ice Road (opening end of week).  2.  Snowmobile trails across the lake are open.  3.  Lake of the Woods Passenger Service (bombardier).  4.  Lake Country Air.

Angle ice fishing continues to be very good with numbers of walleyes being caught.  Walleyes, saugers and jumbo perch with an occasional pike, eelpout, or tullibee in the mix this week.  Ice fishing taking place in 20-26′.  Communicate with your favorite NW Angle resort for specifics.  A complete list of lodging and ice fishing packages available at www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/Lodging

On the south end…  A great week of walleye and sauger action on Lake of the Woods.  Most ice fishing is taking place between 23 – 28′.  Jigging one line and using a bobber with a live minnow on the other is the goto strategy.  Popular colors this week… gold, glow, glow red, pink and orange.  A lot of small fish to sort through to find keepers.  Some big walleyes from 28 – 32 inches caught this week.  A mix of walleyes and saugers with jumbo perch, big pike, tullibees and eelpout being caught as a rule.

On the Rainy River…   Ice fishing on the river continues to be good overall.  Mornings and evenings are producing the best walleye action. Ice conditions vary greatly on the river as there is moving water.  Work through a resort for safety.

Up at the NW Angle…  With the border closure, there are four ways to travel to the NW Angle without crossing the border.  1.  NW Angle Guest Ice Road (open soon).  2.  Snowmobile trails across the lake are open.  3.  Lake of the Woods Passenger Service (bombardier).  4.  Lake Country Air.

Angle ice fishing has been excellent with good numbers of walleyes being caught.  Walleyes, saugers and jumbo perch with an occasional pike, eelpout, or tullibee is what anglers will see.  Most fishing taking place in 20-26′.  Communicate with your favorite NW Angle resort for specifics.  A complete list of lodging and ice fishing packages available at www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/Lodging