On the south end…  It’s a waiting game.  Hoping for cold temps and calm winds.  This past week saw some strong winds blow ice around the basin, eating up some of the thinner ice that had formed.  Forecast looks promising to lock things up in the very near future.  Resorts are monitoring ice conditions on Four Mile Bay, Zippel Bay and various areas of the shoreline.  It’s important to wait until they say it’s good to go and stay on their marked trails when it is time.  Resorts and outfitters monitor ice conditions now and throughout the season daily.  Some spearing and angling for pike in back bays.

On the Rainy River…   The river is covered in most places with a layer of ice.  Most ice fishing is done on the main lake during the ice season where there isn’t current.  There can be some good ice fishing on the Rainy, but with current in the river, work through a resort for safety.

Up at the NW Angle…  With the border closure, NW Angle Resorts and Community have pulled together and will have an ice road up to the Angle so anglers can access resorts.  The NW Angle Guest Ice Road ice access on the south end will be at Springsteel Resort.  More info on Facebook @nwaiceroad.  

The Angle is iced over and resorts are monitoring ice thickness.  Some resorts have been checking for walleyes in a few spots having good success.  It’s not ready yet, but the ice is coming along nicely.  A complete list of lodging and ice fishing packages available at www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/Lodging

 

On the south end…  As we roll into mid November, thin ice conditions on back bays as well as the Rainy River have put an end to the open water fishing season.  Big Traverse Bay is still open water.  The hope each year is to have cold nights combined with low wind and no snow early in the season to create a good early sheet of ice.  Every year is different based on Mother Nature of course, but normally resorts will be able to get their smaller fish houses, called day houses, out around December 10th.  A couple of resorts who provide spearing for pike in back bays of course earlier.  Again, this is just an average.  This year could be earlier or later, time will tell, but everyone is watching.

On the Rainy River…   The river is covered in most places with a layer of thin ice.  The fall season ended up with a good number of shiners in the river from the fall run.  The few anglers who fished this past week had some good reports.  We believe there are a good number of walleyes in the river despite mixed fishing reports this fall.  Some anglers believe the sheer numbers of shiners in the river made the bite more difficult.  

Up at the NW Angle…  The Angle has a mix of iced over areas and open water.  That is quite typical this time of year.  The ice is forming nicely and the hopes are for colder weather to keep things moving along positively.  A complete list of lodging and ice fishing packages available at www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/Lodging

On the south end…  Good walleye reports from a variety of different areas of the lake.  Most anglers report sorting through walleyes in a variety of sizes to catch eaters and big fish.  Anchored up and jigging with a minnow in 7 – 26′ of water has been the goto.  Pink, gold, glow and orange jigs working well.  Lighthouse gap, Morris Point Gap, Zippel Bay, Long Point and Knight and Bridges Islands are some areas reporting nice walleyes.  Pike being caught by walleye anglers but also active in bays and shallow shorelines for those targeting them.

On the Rainy River…   An interesting fall on the river.  Good shiner run but low current.  Some anglers say slow fishing compared to past falls.  Others report excellent fishing but you have to work for them.  Move around to different spots or even trailer to different sections of the river until you find fish.  Best depths range from 7-24′.  Jigging with shiners on current breaks and in holes or trolling crankbaits over flats where fish are spread still pulling some fish.  A sturgeon rig with crawlers and shiners in deep holes still catching lake sturgeon.

Up at the NW Angle…  

Parts of the Angle are icing up.  For those still fishing on the open water, a jig and a minnow on points and areas with current in 13′-26′ has fared well.  Gold, pink, and glow colors great choices.  Reports of some big predators (pike and muskies) being caught as ice up is close.  A complete list of lodging and ice fishing packages available at www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/Lodging

On the south end…  Dress warm and catch walleyes!  Some even bring their Mr. Heater in the boat.  High temps this week in the low 40’s.  The water temps are in the 30’s and the walleyes are staged in many early ice areas.  Good reports on the lake with a mix of small fish, eaters and some big fish.  Consider areas on the lake such as the Lighthouse Gap, Morris Point Gap, Zippel Bay and Long Point.  Good reports in all of those areas.  Walleyes in 7 – 26′ of water.  Most anglers anchored up and jigging with an emerald shiner.  Pink, gold, glow and green jigs working well.  Pike are active in bays and along shorelines.  Trolling crankbaits for some anglers is still effective, but jigging by far the chosen technique this time of year.

On the Rainy River…   Anglers seeing good numbers of walleyes on electronics as well as a lot of bait.  With so many shiners in the river, catching walleyes has been tougher than normal.  The river is still low, current slow.  Best depths anywhere from 7-24′.  Most anglers are jigging with live or frozen shiners.  Pink, glow and gold combo effective.  Trolling crankbaits over flats where fish are spread still pulling some fish.  Walleyes in Four Mile Bay 10-15′.  Sturgeon anglers focusing on deeper holes with current.  A sturgeon rig with crawlers and shiners.

Up at the NW Angle…  

Nice walleyes being caught up at the Angle for anglers braving some colder than normal temps.  Jig and a minnow on points and areas with current all good places to start in 13′-26′.  Gold, pink, and glow colors great choices.  Some big pike being caught by walleye anglers as well as those trolling shorelines.  Pike and muskies in bays and off of rock points.  A complete list of lodging available at www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/Lodging

On the south end…  It’s fall in Minnesota.  Dress warm and catch walleyes!  That is the theme with good fall fishing this past week.  The colder weather has walleyes snapping.  Most anglers anchored up and jigging with an emerald shiner.  Walleyes are relating to bait in anywhere from 15′ – 23′ of water.  Structure, areas of the lake adjacent rivers / streams and areas in front of bays holding good numbers of fish.  Pike continue to be active in bays and along shorelines.  Trolling crankbaits continues to catch anglers a mixed bag.

On the Rainy River…   Some commenting this is one of the best runs of emerald shiners up the river in years.  The river is still low, current slow.  More and more walleyes are coming into the river each day.  Best depths anywhere from 7-24′.  Most anglers are jigging with live or frozen shiners.  Pink, glow and gold combo effective.  The fish are moving often, try different current seams, flats or holes until you find them.   When you find them, action can be fast.  Don’t be afraid to pull crankbaits over flats where fish are spread out and you can cover water.  Four Mile Bay holding walleyes in 10-15′.  Sturgeon anglers focusing on deeper holes with current.  Nice smallmouth bass being caught by walleye anglers.

Up at the NW Angle…  Until the US / Canada border opens, guests can travel across the lake staying and fishing in MN waters.  There are boat shuttle / passenger services available to the Angle.  Check with your favorite NW Angle resort for options.

A nice walleye bite this week up at the Angle.  Jig and a minnow on points and areas with current all good places to start in 13′-26′.  Gold, pink, and glow colors great choices.  Some big pike caught by walleye anglers jigging.  Pike and muskies in bays and off of rock points.  A complete list of lodging available at www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/Lodging

On the south end…  The traditional fall pattern of a jig bite for walleyes continues on the big lake.  There are various schools of walleyes located across the south shore.  A good place to start is 9-15′ or 22-29′ adjacent to rivers, creeks and bays.  Anchor up, jig over the side of the boat with a frozen shiner or fathead.  Anglers reporting going through numbers of small walleyes and saugers to catch nicer eaters.  Decent walleye reports also from Four Mile Bay in 10-15′.  Pike are active in bays and along shorelines.

On the Rainy River…   Anglers catching nice walleyes in the river, not the big numbers yet.  Current on the river and the river itself is low.  Most anglers are jigging with frozen shiners, although trolling crankbaits to find fish still effective for some.  Sturgeon anglers focusing on deeper holes with current.  Good reports of smallmouth bass this week.

Up at the NW Angle…  Until the US / Canada border opens, guests can travel across the lake staying and fishing in MN waters.  There are boat shuttle / passenger services available to the Angle.  Check with your favorite NW Angle resort for options.

Jigging with a minnow on structure with a bit of current in 8-24′ effective for walleyes.  Gold, pink, chartreuse and glow colors great choices.  Some crappies in 15-30′ adjacent to structure.  Muskie anglers reporting action trolling cranks or casting jerkbaits in cabbage weed bays.  Water temps in the mid 50’s.  A complete list of lodging available at www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/Lodging

On the south end…  The traditional fall jig bite for walleyes is in full swing.  There are various schools located across the south shore.  Anglers catching good numbers of walleyes just outside the Lighthouse Gap where the Rainy River enters Lake of the Woods, in front of Zippel Bay and around Long Point.  Depths of 22-28′, anchored up and jigging with a fathead or frozen shiners has been successful.  Anglers going through a lot of fish, sorting through lots of smalls to ultimately get nice eaters.  A lot of action.  Some anglers still drifting spinners with a minnow or crawler with success.  Some good walleye reports also from Four Mile Bay in 10-15′.

On the Rainy River…   Intermittent runs of emerald shiners have entered the river as have some walleyes.  Mixed reports by anglers, as the big run hasn’t happened yet.  Typically activity increases as water cools.  Current on the river is low.  Most anglers are jigging with frozen shiners, although trolling crankbaits or crawler harnesses are still effective.  Sturgeon anglers focusing on deeper holes with a sturgeon rig loaded with crawlers and shiners.  Pike showing hanging on weed edges.

Up at the NW Angle…  Until the US / Canada border opens, guests can travel across the lake staying and fishing in MN waters.  There are boat shuttle / passenger services available to the Angle.  Check with your favorite NW Angle resort for options.

The foliage is beautiful and the walleye fishing is good.  Jigging with a minnow on structure in 10 – 15′ and 21 – 27′ effective.  Gold, orange and glow colors great choices.  Water temps in the low 60’s.  A nice mixed bag of walleyes, saugers, jumbo perch, pike and smallmouth.  Muskie anglers reporting nice fish as well.  A complete list of lodging available at www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/Lodging

On the south end…  Anglers are pulling in nice catches of walleyes with some big trophy walleyes mixed in as well.  The MN Tournament Trail Walleye Tournament just finished their championship with the winning team putting up 80.99 lbs for 10 walleyes!  Water temps have dropped to the upper 50’s, shiners are running and there is a lot of bait adjacent to shorelines, fall is here.  The jig bite has picked up tremendously, but pulling a spinner with a crawler or shiner along with trolling crankbaits is still effective. Along shore try 10-16′ and out on the mud 22-28′.  Gold, glow and orange are strong this week.

On the Rainy River…   More and more emerald shiners are entering the river this week.  Current on the river is slow.  Reports of some nice walleyes but still not the big run yet.  Most anglers are jigging with frozen shiners.  Trolling crankbaits or crawler harnesses still working and a good way to cover water. Sturgeon anglers focusing on deeper holes with a 3 ounce no roll sinker with an 18″ snell of heavy line (60 lb) with a 4/0 circle hook loaded with crawlers and shiners.  Pike showing up on weed edges.

Up at the NW Angle…  Until the US / Canada border opens, guests can travel across the lake staying and fishing in MN waters.  There are boat shuttle / passenger services available to the Angle.  Check with your favorite NW Angle resort for options.

As fall kicks in, many anglers jigging with good results.  Gold spinners with crawler or minnow also producing nicely.  Some really nice walleyes caught this week targeting structure and shorelines in 10 – 15′ and 21 – 27′.  Muskies and big pike hitting topwater in weedy bays.  Some big crappies on small jigs in 15-30′.  A complete list of lodging available at www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/Lodging

On the south end…  With water temps dropping, some beautiful walleyes caught this week.  Walleyes being targeted using three methods, drifting or slow trolling crawler harnesses, trolling crankbaits and vertical jigging.  Walleyes are located in various areas of the lake, deep mud, shallow water adjacent shorelines and deep water reefs.   As a rule, the larger walleyes have been over deep mud and deep structure.  As fall progresses, walleyes will start getting schooled up in key areas along the south shore, in many cases relating to shiner runs.

On the Rainy River…   Larger schools of shiners showing up in the river this week.  Shiners showing up under dock lights at night and on the sonar of anglers in Four Mile Bay and the mouth of the river.  Nice walleyes caught in the river this past week, but not the big numbers yet.  Most anglers are jigging with frozen shiners.  Trolling crankbaits or crawler harnesses covering water is still effective. Sturgeon activity increased this past week as well.  Various feeding windows throughout the day.  Find a deep hole using a sturgeon rig (2-4 ounce no roll sinker with 18″ 60 lb test snell with a circle hook) loaded with crawlers and/or shiners.   

Up at the NW Angle…  Until the US / Canada border opens, guests can travel across the lake staying and fishing in MN waters.  There are boat shuttle / passenger services available to the Angle.  Check with your favorite NW Angle resort for options.

Good numbers of walleyes caught this week up at the Angle.  Walleyes in 10 – 25′ being caught with spinners / crawlers or minnows and trolling crankbaits with some jigging activity on structure beginning as the waters cool.  Muskies and big pike hitting spinners in bays and off of rocky points.  Smallmouth bass on rock structure in 5-15′.  Some big crappies and jumbo perch in the mix week as well.  A complete list of lodging available at www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/Lodging

 

On the south end…  A great week of walleye fishing as seasons are slowly starting the change up at Lake of the Woods.  Trees are turning colors and waters are starting to cool.  With a few windy days this week, anglers fished both along calmer shorelines and in the river finding some nice eaters for their efforts.  Most walleyes are still being caught on crawler harnesses.  Crankbaits are a good second choice.  Walleyes are being caught in 7 – 15′ along shorelines and 24-36′ over mud.  As a rule, the trophy fish have been over deep mud with the eaters being shallower.  With colder nights and warmer days, water temps are starting to drop into the mid 60’s with jigging starting to turn on.

On the Rainy River…   A fair number of small emerald shiners called “pinheads” in the river this week.  More fishing activity as well with some nice walleyes caught.  Most anglers are jigging with frozen shiners.  Not a heavy run yet, but additional life for sure.  Walleyes are scattered on flats and along breaks.  Trolling crankbaits or crawler harnesses covering water is still effective. Anglers reporting a mixed bag with walleyes, saugers, smallmouth bass, pike and sturgeon.  There are numerous boat accesses on the Rainy River from Wheeler’s Point at the mouth, Peace Park and Timbermill Park in Baudette,  Vidas near Clementson, a bit further east Frontier and Nelson Park in Birchdale.    

Up at the NW Angle…  Until the US / Canada border opens, guests can travel across the lake staying and fishing in MN waters.  There are boat shuttle / passenger services available to the Angle.  Check with your favorite NW Angle resort for options.

Walleye fishing strong up at the Angle.  Walleyes in 10 – 25′ being caught with spinners with crawlers or minnows, trolling crankbaits and even some jigging.  Watch your electronics, scattered schools in many locations.  Big pike being caught by unsuspecting walleye anglers.  Muskies hitting spinners and top water in bays and rocky points.  Smallmouth bass still on rocks in 5-15′.  A complete list of lodging available at www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/Lodging