Ice fishing is still happening on Lake of the Woods.  Some resorts / hotels / outfitters are open and have adjusted their business model to adhere to the new rules with COVID – 19.  Additional cleaning and disinfecting is in place.  Fish house rentals, lodging, ice roads and take out or delivered meals are available by some resorts.  Contact resorts directly or look at their Facebook pages for helpful info.

On the south end…  Some great March ice fishing continues. Anglers fishing anywhere from 27 – 33′ of water.  Ice conditions on LOW remain excellent with freezing temps keeping ice firm.  Some good colors overall, pink / gold, glow, red glow, green glow.  Work lures on jigging line with a live minnow on an ice jig or plain hook on second line.  Electronics a big plus.  Try mixing it up with small lures, swim baits, rattle baits.  Keep baits active for best results.  Pike fishing very good this week with many fish over 40 inches.  Tip ups with big baits on quick strike rigs the norm.  Fish houses can be left overnight on the ice through March 31st, walleye and sauger season is open through April 14th and pike season never closes.

On the Rainy River…   As spring approaches, extra caution needed on the river.  Thin ice around the International Bridge in Baudette.  We are watching open water line progress from east to west.  No open water fishing as of yet due to colder temps.

Up at the NW Angle…  A good week of ice fishing reports up at the Angle.  A mix of nice walleyes, big jumbo perch and pike in the mix.  Resorts in 20 – 32′ of water targeting both structure and mud.  Glow colors, gold and pink effective.  Plain hook on the deadstick.  The snowmobile trails groomed and are still in good shape.  A complete list of lodging and ice fishing options available at www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/Lodging

 

On the south end…  A great week of March ice fishing. Anglers fishing anywhere from 27 – 33′ of water.  Ice conditions on LOW remain excellent with freezing temps keeping ice firm.  Work lures on jigging line with a live minnow on an ice jig or plain hook on second line.  Some good colors overall, pink / gold, glow, red glow, green glow.  Electronics helping to catch suspended walleyes.  Pike activity increasing with more big fish caught this week.  Tip ups with big baits on quick strike rigs the norm.  Fish houses can be left overnight on the ice through March 31st, walleye and sauger season is open through April 14th and pike season never closes.

On the Rainy River…   As spring approaches, extra caution needed on the river.  Thin ice around the International Bridge in Baudette.  We are watching open water line progress from east to west.  No open water fishing as of yet.  We report open water progress often on Lake of the Woods Tourism Facebook page.

Up at the NW Angle…  A great week of ice fishing reports up at the Angle.  A mix of walleyes, saugers, big jumbo perch and pike in the mix.  Resorts in 20 – 32′ of water targeting both structure and mud.  Glow colors, gold and pink effective.  The snowmobile trails groomed and with freezing temps, are still in good shape. 

On the south end…  An awesome week of ice fishing.  Most anglers fishing in 27 – 33′ of water.  Ice conditions on LOW remain excellent.  Use combo of jigging line and deadstick.  Work your lines, keep jigging and keeping minnow on deadstick active.  It will pay dividends.  Some good colors overall, pink / gold, glow, chartreuse / white.  Electronics helping to catch suspended walleyes.  Pike activity has increased with some big fish being caught.  Tip ups and big baits on quick strike rigs the norm.  This is bonus ice fishing on Lake of the Woods.  As a border waters area with Canada, fish houses can be left overnight on the ice through March 31st, walleye and sauger season is open through April 14th and pike season never closes.

On the Rainy River…   Local anglers continue to catch some walleyes in the river.  Extra caution is always needed on the river, especially with higher temps,melting and runoff.  Thin ice around the International Bridge in Baudette.  Work through resort or know ice conditions if ice fishing the river as ice thickness varies.

Up at the NW Angle…  Ice fishing reports good up at the Angle with a mix of walleyes, saugers, big jumbo perch and pike in the mix.  Resorts in 20 – 32′ of water targeting both structure and mud.  Jigging spoons with minnow head for jigging line, plain hook and live minnow on deadstick.  The snowmobile trails groomed and are in good shape.  A complete list of lodging and ice fishing options available at www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/Lodging

 

On the south end…  A great week of ice fishing with lots of fish frys.  Good fishing reports, most fishing in 27 – 33′ of water.  Ice conditions on LOW remain excellent at around 30 inches where most are fishing.  Use combo of jigging line and deadstick.  Try spoons or lipless crankbaits with rattles to pull fish in.  Pink hook with a minnow on deadstick effective this week.  Some good colors overall, gold, glow, pink, green, orange and chartreuse.  Don’t be afraid to downsize presentation on a tough bite day.  Small spoon with a minnow head, wax worm or euro larvae can catch extra fish.  Electronics will catch more fish.  Some nice walleyes showing up suspended.  Pike fishing continues to heat up.  Tip ups and big baits on quick strike rigs  the ticket.  

On the Rainy River…   Local anglers catching some walleyes in the river.  Most anglers fishing the lake.  Extra caution is always needed on the river, especially with higher current this year.  Thin ice around the International Bridge in Baudette.  Work through resort or know ice conditions if ice fishing the river as ice thickness varies.

Up at the NW Angle…  Ice fishing reports good up at the Angle.  Resorts in 26 – 32′ of water.  A mix of walleyes and saugers with big jumbo perch and pike in the mix.  The snowmobile trails both across the lake and in the woods are in great shape.  Jigging with a bait with rattles has helped to pull in walleyes.  Fish houses on the ice through March 31st, walleyes and saugers open through April 14.  A complete list of lodging and ice fishing options available at www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/Lodging

On the south end…  Some big walleyes caught this week up at Lake of the Woods along with eaters and saugers.  Good fishing still happening 16 – 22 miles out on the ice and most reports are good.  Ice conditions on LOW remain excellent at around 30 inches where most are fishing.  Best colors vary but on sunny days gold has been consistent.  On cloudy days, glow pink, green, orange and chartreuse good colors.  Don’t be afraid to downsize presentation if fish are not active.  Small spoon with a minnow head.  A plain hook with a small minnow can be very effective.  Electronics helping anglers catch suspended walleyes.  Pike are getting more active and anglers reporting good success.

On the Rainy River…   The river is frozen over with snowmobile traffic on marked trail.  Some reports of local anglers catching a few walleyes in the river but most anglers hitting the lake.  Extra caution is always needed on the river, especially with higher current this year.  Thin ice around the International Bridge in Baudette.  Work through resort or know ice conditions if ice fishing the river as ice thickness varies.

Up at the NW Angle…  Ice fishing in full swing up at the Angle.  Resorts in 26 – 32′ of water.  A mix of walleyes and saugers with some jumbo perch and pike in the mix.  The snowmobile trails from south shore to Angle in great shape.  Jigging with a bait with rattles has helped to pull in walleyes.  Fish houses on the ice through March 31st, walleyes and saugers open through April 14.  A complete list of lodging and ice fishing options available at www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/Lodging

On the south end… A lot of nice walleyes and saugers caught this week up at Lake of the Woods. Many resorts traveling 16 – 22 miles out on the ice and most reports are very good. Lots of big walleyes this week. Ice conditions on LOW remain excellent. Jig one line and don’t be afraid to use noise such as rattles or vibration to draw fish in. Have a deadstick with a live minnow in the second hole for neutral fish. Best colors vary but gold, glow, green, orange and pink good colors. Electronics tell you where fish are and how they are reacting to your bait and presentation. Pike anglers already pulling some trophy fish. Should only get better as month progresses.

On the Rainy River… The river is frozen over with snowmobile traffic on marked trail. Some reports of good fish in the river. Extra caution is always needed on the river, especially with higher current this year. Thin ice around the International Bridge in Baudette. Work through resort or know ice conditions if ice fishing the river as ice thickness varies.

Up at the NW Angle… Some great reports from the Angle this week. Resorts in 26 – 32′ of water. The snowmobile trails from south shore to Angle in great shape. Jigging spoons and Rippin Raps in one hole. In second hole, plain red hook with live minnow working well. Fish houses on the ice through March 31st, walleyes and saugers open through April 14. A complete list of lodging and ice fishing options available at www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/Lodging

On the south end…  A great week of ice fishing with good numbers and some very quality fish.  Ice conditions on LOW remain excellent. Resorts working hard to keep fish houses on walleyes and saugers.  Most anglers fishing 27′ – 36′ with ice roads 7 – 20 miles long.  Resorts traveled farther out which improved fishing.  Jig one line to draw fish in and get them excited.  Have a deadstick with a live minnow in the second hole for neutral fish.  Rattles and vibration can help in the stained waters of LOW.  Gold, glow, wonder bread and pink good colors.  Electronics a big plus and can be rented from some resorts, bait shops.  

On the Rainy River…   The river is frozen over with snowmobile traffic on marked trail.  Some reports of good fish in the river.  Extra caution is always needed on the river, especially with higher current this year.  Thin ice around the International Bridge in Baudette.  Work through resort or know ice conditions if ice fishing the river as ice thickness varies.

Up at the NW Angle…  Warmer weather made for some good fishing at the Angle.  Resorts in 23 – 32′ of water.  Some houses on structure, others in mud on edge of reefs.  Jig one hole with spoons and rattle baits, plain red hook with live minnow on deadstick.  Snowmobile trails from south end to Angle and around the area groomed and in good shape.  Fish houses on the ice through March 31st, walleyes and saugers open through April 14.  A complete list of lodging and ice fishing options available at www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/Lodging

On the south end…  Ice conditions on LOW remain excellent. Resorts reporting around 30″ of ice most places being fished.  Warmer weather turned the bite on for many, a good week of fishing.  Good numbers of big fish caught this week.   Most anglers fishing 27′ – 36′ with ice roads 7 -12+ miles.  Resort houses continue to move constantly following the fish.  Both jigging line and deadstick with a live minnow producing based on mood of walleyes.  Downsize offering or get aggressive if bite is slow.  Rattles and vibration help in stained water.  Gold, glow and firetiger good colors.  Electronics will increase results.  

On the Rainy River…   The river is frozen over with snowmobile traffic on marked trail.  Current has dropped some and river continues to build ice.  Extra caution is always needed on the river.  Thin ice around the International Bridge in Baudette.  Work through resort if ice fishing the river as ice thickness varies.

Up at the NW Angle…  A good week of ice fishing with houses in 23 – 32′ of water.  Some houses on structure, others in mud on edge of reefs.  Jigging spoons with rattles tipped with a minnow head or tail on jigging line, plain red hook with live minnow on deadstick.  Snowmobile trails from south end to Angle groomed and in good shape.  Fish houses on the ice through March 31st, walleyes and saugers open through April 14.  A complete list of lodging and ice fishing options available at www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/Lodging

On the south end…  Ice conditions on LOW are excellent.  Resorts reporting 24-30″ of ice most places being fished.  Good numbers of walleyes and saugers being caught.  Lots of sorting through fish to get eaters and occasional trophy walleye.   Most anglers fishing 27′ – 36′ with some ice roads 10+ miles.  Resort houses continue to move constantly following the fish.  Both jigging line and deadstick with a live minnow producing based on mood of walleyes.  Gold, glow, pink and white good colors.  Electronics will increase results.  Adapt to the mood of fish.  Switch jigging cadence until they bite.  Watch for suspended walleyes.  Jigging spoons with rattles and vibrating lures having good results.

On the Rainy River…   The river is frozen over with some snowmobile traffic on marked trail.  Current has dropped some and river is starting to build ice.  Extra caution is always needed on the river.  Thin ice around the International Bridge in Baudette.  Work through resort if ice fishing the river as ice thickness varies.

Up at the NW Angle…  Great ice fishing continues with a healthy mix of walleyes, saugers, jumbo perch, pike and eelpout.  Resorts shifting houses to stay productive.  Snowmobile trails from south end to Angle groomed and in good shape.  Stay on trails as there are ice chunks on lake.  Fish houses on the ice through March 31st, walleyes and saugers open through April 14.  A complete list of lodging and ice fishing options available at www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/Lodging

Ice Conditions-Excellent.

On the south end…  Ice conditions on LOW are excellent.  Some great walleyes and saugers caught this week.  Fishing was up and down with cold fronts, -31 air temps, etc.  Plenty of fish for fish frys, some trophy walleyes, big sturgeon, some jumbo perch, an occasional pike, crappie or tulibee and plenty of sauger in the mix.  Most anglers fishing 25 – 30′ if on structure, 30′ – 36′ over mud.  Resort houses continue to follow fish and are moving constantly.   Best colors gold, pink, glow red and UV glow colors.  Both jigging line and deadstick with a live minnow producing based on mood of walleyes.  Electronics very helpful.  Watch for suspended walleyes.  Rattles and noise effective.

On the Rainy River…   The river is frozen over with some snowmobile traffic on marked trail.  Current has dropped some, but still strong.  Extra caution is always needed on the river.  Thin ice near International Bridge in Baudette and thinner ice on stretches of the river.  Work through resort if ice fishing for safety.

Up at the NW Angle…  Good fishing continues with a mix of walleyes, saugers, jumbo perch, pike and eelpout.  Cold fronts can affect bite from day to day, adjust to mood of fish.  Downsize if finicky, keep minnow active on deadstick.  Snowmobile trails from south end to Angle groomed and in good shape.  Stay on trails as there are ice chunks on lake.  Fish houses on LOW on the ice through March.  A complete list of lodging and ice fishing options available at www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/Lodging