On the South End…  Good numbers of walleyes are being caught in numerous locations across the south shore.  More “fall-like” weather is starting to slowly bring the lake temps down which is a benefit to walleye anglers.  The current water temp on the lake is 55 degrees.

The best bite this week is in 17 – 27 feet. Vertical jigging with a frozen emerald shiner is definitely the goto presentation, however, some anglers are still trolling crankbaits with good success.

Hot jig colors this week were gold or gold combined with other bright colors such as orange, chartreuse, pink, and glow white.  Lake of the Woods has stained water from the natural tannins in the water which keeps the walleyes and saugers biting throughout the day.    

Expect walleyes of all different sizes, saugers, jumbo perch and an occasional crappie or pike in the mix.

Rainy River…  Emerald shiners are in the river as are some nice walleyes.  Anglers fishing the river, overall, pulled in nice numbers of fish this past weekend.  Some were working a jig and frozen shiner along current breaks, deeper holes, and weed edges, while others were covering water trolling crankbaits.

Sturgeon fishing continues to be good.  A classic sturgeon rig which is a 3 ounce flat no-roll sinker teamed up with an 18″ heavy mono or fluorocarbon leader and a 3/0 circle hook loaded with crawlers (optionally tipped with a shiner) has been effective. The sturgeon catch-and-release season is upon us and continues through April 23, 2026. 

Northwest Angle…  Walleye fishing continues to be consistently very good throughout the island region of Lake of the Woods.  Both sides of the border are producing nice numbers of fish that are becoming increasingly active with dropping water temps.

A jig and minnow on points, over reefs, neck-down areas, and mud-to-rock transitions is catching walleyes combined with saugers, jumbo perch, crappies, smallmouth bass and pike. 

Fall crappie anglers continue to take advantage of the season finding nice slabs in various locations around points and in deeper water off of structure.  

Muskie activity continues to increase with cooling water temps.  Most anglers are casting for fish, but fall is also a time to troll points and other areas of structure which often produces some nice muskies. 

Charter boats and guides are still available through October, with a few still fishing into November.  A great time to get that last fall trip or make plans for ice!  For fishing info, guides, charters, resorts, and lodging, visit LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/lodging.