On the South Shore…  It was another great week of fishing on Lake of the Woods!  The bite remained strong throughout the area.

Walleyes are active and transitioning in how they’re feeding and where they’re holding.  The jig bite is still producing in many areas, with anglers anchoring or using spot-lock in areas with roaming schools of walleyes.  A 3/8 to 1/2 oz jig tipped with a frozen emerald shiner continues to be a top performer. Classic Lake of the Woods colors—gold, orange, chartreuse, pink, and glow white, or a combination of these colors—are producing well. Some anglers are beginning to use leeches on jigs with success, especially as water temps rise.

In addition to jigging, pulling spinners is becoming more effective. Many anglers are using crawlers on their spinner rigs, while others are experimenting with minnows for added variety. Hammered gold blades combined with pink, glow red, orange, or white remain great color options. This time of year, versatility can make all the difference.

Trolling crankbaits over deep mud is also gaining momentum as water temperatures climb. Cranks allow anglers to cover water efficiently and locate scattered fish. In addition to walleyes, this technique often produces bonus species like pike, smallmouth bass, and jumbo perch.

Productive depths have ranged, but deeper mud and rocks in 25 – 35 feet have yielded strong results.

For anglers who enjoy using forward facing sonar, the deep mud shines for scoping fish.  Tournament tip, keep an eye out for those monster walleyes just below the surface!

On the Rainy River…  The Rainy River is still producing some nice walleyes.  As water temperatures rise and the current remains steady, a 1/2 oz jig tipped with a frozen emerald shiner is still effective, particularly when vertically jigged in deeper holes and along channel edges.

Looking to explore? Pulling spinners with crawlers or trolling crankbaits is a great way to cover ground and locate active fish.  Troll along shorelines, weed edges and through various holes in the river.  

Casting crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and swim jigs along shorelines, docks, and in back bays is also putting walleyes, pike, and smallmouth bass in the boat.  A fun way to explore and catch a mixed bag.

With the strong sturgeon population, some groups are making plans to spend a few days relaxing while soaking some crawlers for the largest fish in Lake of the Woods, lake sturgeon.  Sturgeon fishing reopens July 1st. From July 1 through September 30, anglers with a valid sturgeon tag can harvest one fish per year between 45–50 inches or over 75 inches.

Up at the Northwest Angle…  Fishing remains excellent at the Northwest Angle. Walleyes are being caught in 12 to 24 feet of water near shoreline structure, underwater points, and shallow reefs. The jig and minnow bite continues to be hot in traditional walleye areas such as points, neckdown areas and sunken islands.

Trolling crankbaits along shoreline structure such as points, rubble areas or weed edges will produce a mixed bag of walleyes, jumbo perch, pike, and smallmouth bass.  If you aren’t finding a big school of fish, covering water will normally produce.  When you start catching, go back and forth in that area.  

The muskie opener for both Minnesota and Ontario’s Zone 5 is Saturday,  Lake of the Woods is known as one of the best muskie fisheries on the planet!

Plan Your Trip…  Lake of the Woods continues to shine as a premier walleye destination. Whether you’re jigging, pulling spinners, trolling crankbaits, or casting for a mixed bag, the lake is healthy and full of opportunity.

Bring your own boat or take advantage of the many full-service resorts offering charter boats and expert guides. For everything you need to plan your fishing adventure, visit LakeoftheWoodsMN.com.