On the south end… Some good walleye fishing this week. As many summer weeks, it was helpful to be versatile. On the big lake, sometimes you have to play the wind, meaning, you have to be flexible where you fish.
The fish were there and some great catches this week. Most fishing in 25-33 feet. Some are still jigging. Frozen shiners and leeches were both good this week. With water temps in the mid to upper 60’s, leeches and crawlers will heat up.
Spinners (otherwise called harnesses) with minnows, leeches or crawlers were all effective this week. It is good to mix up colors and bait until you find the right mix. Gold, glow, pink, orange, chartreuse or a combo of them are good colors in stained water.
More and more anglers trolling crankbaits with success. Some have been trolling cranks since the opener but it seems most anglers wait till the water warms. A great method to cover water and find cooperative fish.
On the Rainy River… Some good summer fishing reports from the river. Walleyes being caught jigging, pulling spinners and trolling crankbaits. Current breaks and holes holding most fish.
Smallmouth bass in rocky areas, current breaks, bridge embankments and weed edges. Lots of bass in the river. Crankbaits, spinnerbaits and tube jigs are good lures to start with.
Pike are adjacent to weedlines, in slack water areas and in bays. Working shorelines whether trolling or casting will normally produce nice fish.
Sturgeon anglers, mark your calendars, sturgeon season opens again July 1st.
Up at the NW Angle… Walleye fishing continues to be strong up at the Angle. Fish coming from literally 5-33′ of water. Not every walleye is keying on the same food sources. With structure, rocks, and mud, lots of variety at the Angle. Jigging, spinners and cranks all producing.
Muskie season opens Saturday, June 19th. Lots of nice fish already caught unintentionally as these predators like to eat. Muskie anglers were forced to fish MN waters last year with the border closure were happily surprised with the size and quantity of fish on the MN side. This year should be good.
Pike hanging out in weedy bays. Smallmouth relating to rocky points and reefs.
With the Canada border still closed, there are many ways to get up to the Angle.
1. The LOW Passenger Service, charter boat shuttle service from the south end, is open and running. 2. If you have the right boat and expertise, boating across is an option. 3. And finally, Lake Country Air flying service, a float plane service out of Baudette and other locations.
A complete list of lodging and fishing packages available in Baudette, on the Rainy River, south shore of Lake of the Woods and up at the NW Angle at www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/
