Lake of the Woods Fishing Report 9/8/15

As summer transitions to fall, fishing remains excellent. Drifting with spinners the favored method. Others jigging and pulling plugs as well. Try Lighthouse Gap, Pine Island, in front of Zippel Bay, Long Point and 12 mile in 26-30′ drifting and jigging. Use gold or pink tipped with crawlers or frozen minnows to fill limits. Trollers are hitting areas of Garden and Knight Islands or the middle of Big Traverse Bay in 28-32 feet using orange or purple UV plugs. Trolling pulling in lots of trophy walleye.

On the Rainy River, sturgeon active from Birchdale to Clementson areas. Anchor still fish the bottom using a 3 oz no-roll sinker, 5/0 circle hook and gob of crawlers or frozen shiners. Walleye fishing picking up. Most anglers targeting walleyes evenings.. Try 18-20 feet using gold or chartreuse colors with minnows.

Up at the NW Angle, walleyes are active and on the move. Jigging favored near reefs, points, and rocks. Try 16-24′ over rocky areas and 26-30′ off reefs and island points. Little Oak and Four Blocks producing in MN waters or Falcon Island when in Ontario water. Fish shallow for muskie using top water baits, spinner baits, or bucktails. Crappie bite best around structure jigging with a minnow 24-28 feet and will get stronger as water gets cooler.