Numbers of Walleyes and Good Fun on Lake of the Woods with Jon Thelen and Destination Fish

Lake of the Woods continues to live up to its reputation as the Walleye Capital of the World, and this week was no exception. Jon Thelen, host of the popular fishing show Destination Fish, teamed up with Joe Henry of Lake of the Woods Tourism for a day of filming and fantastic fishing on these legendary waters.

Jon Thelen is no stranger to catching fish or to Lake of the Woods. With over two decades of experience in the fishing industry, Jon is known for his no-nonsense, easy-to-understand approach to teaching anglers how to catch more fish. His show, Destination Fish, airs across the Midwest and beyond, helping anglers of all experience levels gain insight into tactics that work on a wide range of lakes and rivers.

On this trip, Jon and Joe kept things simple and effective: they jigged with the brand-new Lindy B-Max jigs, tipping them with frozen emerald shiners—a go-to bait on Lake of the Woods. And it didn’t take long for the rods to start bending.

The duo targeted a mix of sand and mud in mid-depth ranges, and the results were impressive. From eaters to slot fish (19.5 – 28.0 inches), the walleyes and saugers were biting consistently throughout the day. The most productive color of the day was orange/hot yellow, a color combination that really stood out in the stained waters of Lake of the Woods. It provided the visibility and contrast needed to draw attention from hungry fish hugging the bottom.

Jigging remains one of the most popular and effective ways to catch walleyes on this body of water, especially in spring and early summer. The method allows anglers to feel the bite, present baits precisely, and stay in the strike zone longer. And when you pair the right jig with the right bait—as Jon and Joe did—it’s a recipe for success.