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Lake of the Woods… Walleye Action All Summer Long
When it comes to summer walleye fishing, Lake of the Woods is simply in a class of its own. While other lakes and rivers often slow down due to heavy weed growth or an abundance of baitfish, Lake of the Woods continues to shine with good walleye fishing all summer long. Whether you’re jigging, pulling spinners, or trolling crankbaits, the walleyes keep biting here all summer long.
Many lakes throughout the Midwest experience what anglers call the “summer lull.” As summer gets into full swing, weeds start to grow thick, and millions of newly hatched baitfish—often called “young of the year” perch, shiners, and others—flood the system. This gives walleyes an all-you-can-eat buffet, making them harder to catch with typical presentations. Not so on Lake of the Woods.
Big Traverse Bay: Walleye Central
On the Minnesota side of Lake of the Woods, Big Traverse Bay is a massive body of water. As summer sets in, thousands of walleyes slide out to the deeper mud basins of this giant bay, typically in 30 to 36 feet of water. These fish group up and feed actively, making them prime targets for anglers. This pattern holds all summer and into early fall, and it’s one of the reasons Lake of the Woods is so dependable for great walleye fishing.
Since the Minnesota Fishing Opener on May 10th, the jig bite has been the most common and successful method for catching walleyes. It’s simple, effective, and produces a lot of fish. But as we move deeper into June, the walleyes are starting to transition to the open mud, and anglers are switching tactics.
Enter the Spinner Bite
Pulling spinners with crawlers is one of the most effective summer walleye techniques on Lake of the Woods. It’s a perfect way to cover water and trigger bites from fish that are feeding but spread out across the mud flats. June, July, and August are prime months for this presentation, and it’s a proven way to catch fish day in and day out.
Recently, Joe Henry of Lake of the Woods Tourism hit the water with fishing pros John Bergsma from Fisherman’s Digest and Greg Jones of Midwest Outdoors. All three are no strangers to this fishery, and their knowledge of the lake helped them adapt quickly and find success.
Decisions That Made the Day
The group began by checking a near-shore area where walleyes had been holding. But the water had become dirty from recent winds, which often drives fish out and makes them harder to catch. On top of that, they weren’t seeing many fish on their electronics. That’s when they made the call to move a few miles offshore.
Out on the open mud basin, they found cleaner water and large schools of walleyes showing up on sonar. They rigged up spinner rigs tipped with nightcrawlers, started drifting with the wind, and the rest was history. The flash, vibration, and scent of the crawler was exactly what those deep mud walleyes wanted.
Why Spinners Work So Well
Spinners are simple, yet they check all the boxes for hungry walleyes. They offer color and flash with the spinning blade. They create vibration in the water, which walleyes pick up through their lateral lines. And they deliver the scent and taste of a live crawler—something very few walleyes can resist.
Another advantage? You don’t need a lot of fancy gear. A 2-ounce bottom bouncer, a spinner rig with two hooks, and a juicy crawler is all you need. Troll or drift around 1.00 to 1.25 mph to keep your presentation in the strike zone and spinning. You’ll find fish—and lots of them.
Up at the Northwest Angle
Fishing is hot up at the Northwest Angle too. As the water warms, some walleyes are sliding deeper, out toward the mud, just like on the south end. Others continue to hold to the Angle’s vast structure—reefs, points, and saddles loaded with forage. Jigging is still working in many spots, but spinners and crankbaits are producing great numbers as well.
The NW Angle’s many islands and variety of structure offer an angler’s dream. It’s hard to go wrong fishing this area during the summer months.
Plan Your Trip
The best part? You don’t have to do it all yourself. Lake of the Woods is home to dozens of resorts, charter boats, fishing guides, and full-service packages. Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned angler, everything you need is here for a memorable trip.
For more details on lodging, fishing reports, charter packages, and current conditions, visit
👉 www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com
Come experience why Lake of the Woods is known as “The Walleye Capital of the World”—even in the middle of summer. 🎣
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