On the Water with Joe Henry — Summer Walleye Action on Lake of the Woods

There’s something special about getting a fishing report straight from the source — and in this case, that source is out on the water, rod in hand. Recently, Joe Henry, Executive Director of Lake of the Woods Tourism, joined forces with Jon Thelen of Destination Fish to spend a day chasing walleyes. The result? A limit of fish for each angler, a few trophy-sized walleyes, and some valuable lessons that can help you catch more on your next trip to The Walleye Capital of the World.

Pulling Spinners for Summer Walleyes

On this trip, Henry and Thelen focused on a tried-and-true summer technique — pulling spinners and crawlers behind bottom bouncers. They were fishing over the deep mud of Big Traverse Bay, where large schools of walleyes have set up in 30–35 feet of water as part of their mid-to-late summer pattern.

Using two-ounce bottom bouncers, the pair trolled at 1.0–1.25 mph, keeping their spinners riding just off the bottom at a consistent 45-degree line angle. This setup ensures the bait is in the strike zone and moving naturally with the waves — a key factor in triggering bites.

Over the course of the outing, the duo caught two full limits of beautiful eating-sized walleyes along with some bigger fish measuring 24, 26, and 28 inches.

Gold and Pink Takes the Win

Color choice can make or break your day, and this trip was a textbook example. They started the morning with Thelen running a gold and pink spinner while Henry used gold and chartreuse. Both colors have been producing fish this season, but on this particular day, the walleyes showed a clear preference for the gold and pink.

After noticing Thelen was getting more bites, Henry made the switch — and immediately started seeing more action.

“It’s always a good idea to start with a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes,” Henry explained. “Whether you’re open-water fishing or on the ice, let the fish tell you what they want that day. On this trip, the difference was obvious.”

This small adjustment turned a good day into a great one and is a reminder to be flexible and observant.

Deep Summer Patterns in Full Swing

Lake of the Woods is famous for its seasonal patterns, and right now the deep summer bite is on fire. Big schools of walleyes are scattered across the main basin, roaming the deep mud in search of baitfish and various bug hatches emerging from the mud.

Electronics play a big role in this style of fishing. Watch your sonar for pods of fish, and when you find them, set up your trolling pass to run your spinners directly through the school. It’s common to get bit in flurries when you hit the right zone.

This deep-water spinner bite will remain strong into September, gradually tapering off as cooler temperatures push walleyes back toward shallower structure for the fall season.

A Great Time to Visit

If you’ve been thinking about a trip to Lake of the Woods, now is the time. The fishing is excellent, the weather is warm, and the area’s many resorts, hotels, and guides are ready to make your trip memorable.

In addition to catching plenty of walleyes to eat while you’re here, the lake’s generous limits make it possible to take some fish home to share with family and friends. There’s nothing quite like a fresh fish fry, whether it’s enjoyed on the shore after a day on the water or back at home as a reminder of your trip north.

After noticing Thelen was getting more bites, Henry made the switch — and immediately started seeing more action.

This small adjustment turned a good day into a great one and is a reminder to be flexible and observant.

Pro Tips from the Trip

Start with variety – Run different colors and styles until you see a clear pattern in what’s working.

Match your speed to conditions – On this day, 1.0–1.25 mph with the waves was the sweet spot.

Mind your angle – Keep your bottom bouncer at about a 45-degree line angle to ensure you’re just off the bottom.

Follow the fish – Big Traverse Bay’s deep mud is loaded with walleyes right now, and finding active schools is the key.

After noticing Thelen was getting more bites, Henry made the switch — and immediately started seeing more action.

This small adjustment turned a good day into a great one and is a reminder to be flexible and observant.

Watch the Report from the Water

Henry’s day with Thelen was not only productive but also filmed for an upcoming Destination Fish segment. The YouTube video will feature their fishing action, the techniques they used, and plenty of beautiful footage from Lake of the Woods. Keep an eye out for it on the Lake of the Woods Tourism website and social media channels.

Until then, grab your spinners, a few nightcrawlers, and your sense of adventure — the walleyes are waiting.