The fall transition is well underway on Lake of the Woods. Water temps are still hovering around that 60-degree mark, and the walleyes are starting to shift toward their fall locations closer to shore. Plenty of fish are still out in the basin, though, so there’s more than one game to play right now. Here’s a look at the three areas this week.

Big Traverse Bay (South Shore)

The walleyes are on the move. As fall settles in, more and more fish are sliding toward their fall haunts nearer shore, even as good numbers hang back in the basin. That mix of locations is classic for this time of year.

The big change this week is the jig bite. More anglers have gone back to jigging with a minnow, and they’re having good success doing it. That said, spinners and crawlers and trolling crankbaits are both still producing, so there’s no wrong answer. It really comes down to how you like to fish and where you find them.

Don’t sleep on the smallmouth bass, either. Anglers are catching some nice ones, including at least one over six pounds this week. Lake of the Woods and the Rainy River have a tremendous smallmouth population that flies under the radar, mostly because everyone up here is chasing walleyes. If you want to tangle with a true trophy smallie, this is a great place to do it.

Rainy River

Things are heating up on the river. Balls of emerald shiners have started showing up, and some anglers are already reporting good catches of walleyes as fish key in on that bait. This is the very start of the fall run, and the activity will only increase as we move into October. If the famous Rainy River fall walleye run is on your list, now’s the time to start watching it closely.

The sturgeon are cooperating, too. There’s been some good activity this week, with a few fish topping 60 inches reported. Sturgeon fishing tends to get better and better as the days shorten and the water cools, so this bite is just getting rolling as well.

NW Angle

Up at the Angle, anglers are still reporting big numbers of walleyes, and the traditional fall spots are really producing. Alongside the walleyes, jumbo perch, smallmouth bass, and pike are all doing well, making it a great stretch for a mixed bag.

Fall is also prime time for crappies, when they gather into big schools, and that’s exactly what’s happening. Some nice slabs are coming to the boat. Muskie anglers are getting in on the action too, with some nice fish reported. Fall is flat-out a good time to go fishing, and the Angle is showing why.

Before You Go

A quick reminder on the regulations: the combined walleye and sauger limit is 6 fish total, with up to 4 being walleyes. All walleyes between 19.5 and 28.0 inches must be released immediately, with one walleye over 28.0 inches allowed. A 2026 Minnesota fishing license is required.

Guides and charters across Lake of the Woods and the Rainy River are still available, usually through October. It’s a great chance to get that last open-water trip in before the hard-water season begins in December. Come enjoy some of the best fishing of the year while it’s here.

To plan your trip, check out our website at LakeoftheWoodsMN.com.

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