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Fall Fishing Starting out Strong

The leaves are starting to change in the north country but that is not the only changes taking place.  Water temps are cooling, the shiners are just starting to run up the Rainy River and fall fishing continues to be excellent.  Most are after what the lake is famous for, the walleye.  Fishing has been strong on both the south end of the lake and up at the NW Angle.

Shiners are starting to enter the river on an annual fall ritual in which they swim up the river.  Walleyes are close behind and more and more walleyes are being caught as anglers are starting the fall fishing tradition in the river.  This is what most consider the fall run of walleyes up the Rainy River.

With the river just starting to heat up, the lake continues to be good.  Schools of bait, walleyes and saugers roam the basin called Big Traverse Bay.  Fishing this area is a lot of fun as it is loaded with fish and many of them big fish.  Often times your graph literally looks like simulation mode.

20170913 08434420170913 081505Joe Henry, Lake of the Woods

Anglers are catching walleyes jigging with shiners, pulling crawler harnesses and trolling crankbaits.

Jigging is one of the techniques that really is picking up as the water cools.  Anchoring up amongst big schools of walleyes and saugers is a fun way to catch walleyes this time of year.  Using a gold, glow, pink or brightly colored jig with a frozen shiner is a go to method.  Some anglers will add a stinger hook to their jig for a better percentage of hook ups.  Hooking the small treble hook that is attached to the jig with a short piece of line into the tail of the shiner will get the short biters.

Up at the NW Angle, fall has also kicked in with walleyes continuing to be on a tear along with muskies and crappie anglers successful.

For some, bringing their own boat up and catching a limit of walleyes or perhaps hunting muskies is just what the doctor ordered.  For others, jumping on a charter boat or in with a guide where everything is taken care of is a better way to go.  Whichever way you prefer, fall fishing is in full swing and will only get better!

 

To learn more about Lake of the Woods, check out the Lake of the Woods Tourism website.

To find a guide, charter boat or lodging, check out our lodging page.

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