Category Archives: Fishing Reports

Fishing Report 7.20.22

Published on July 23, 2022 by Connie Peterson – Comments off
Filed under: Fishing Reports

WE HAVE NIGHTCRAWLERS HERE AT DALE’S ON LAKE OF THE WOODS

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Lake of the Woods Tourism Bureau weekly fishing report!!

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Fishing Report

7.20.2022

On the south end…  Summer walleye fishing remains very good across Lake of the Woods.  Different schools of walleyes keying in on different forage offers anglers numerous opportunities.

Water levels are starting to drop and debris that is consistent with high water has flushed through the system.  Thankfully, fishing has been great despite a high water year.

A good bite for eater walleyes in 10-15 feet just off of Pine Island and other areas along the south shore.  Some are using spinners with crawlers to catch these fish but trolling crankbaits to cover water is also producing.  Some are still jigging which is still effective despite it being mid July.

Deep mud in 28 – 33′ this time of year holding good numbers of fish.  You just have to find what general area they are living in, get your baits in front of them and normally good things happen.

Others are leaning on more traditional techniques of spinners with a crawler or trolling crankbaits to catch their fish, which can be especially effective when fish are spread out.

Some of the reefs in Big Traverse Bay are holding nice numbers of walleyes.  Bobber fishing or jigging the top of the reefs or pulling spinners on the reef or on the transition where the rock meets the mud producing good fish.

In addition to walleyes, saugers, jumbo perch pike, smallmouth bass and even an occasional muskie, crappie or sturgeon are being caught on the basin.

On the Rainy River…   Some good summer fishing continues on the Rainy River this summer.  Areas out of the current have been the go to spots this year.

A nice mixed bag in the river includes walleyes, saugers, smallmouth bass, and pike.  Good numbers of shiners in the river.

Sturgeon anglers showing off some big fish being caught.  Anglers can catch and release fish or keep one sturgeon through the summer if a sturgeon tag is purchased.

Big pike are still prowling backwater bays and feeder rivers.  Smallies are living around rocks, current breaks, bays and bridges.

Up at the NW Angle…  Fishing on both sides of the border has been excellent.  Jigging and pulling spinners are the two techniques most anglers are using to catch their walleyes.

As water temps warm, some fish utilizing structure (underwater points, sunken islands, etc.) while some fish are gravitating to mud flats.  Jig where tighter concentrations of fish, pull spinners when fish are more spread out.

Muskie anglers catching and releasing good number with some 50 inch plus fish in the mix.

Various ways to travel to the Angle.

  1. Drive through Canada to the Angle  (must be vaccinated, no covid test required)
  2. LOW Passenger Service (charter boat service across the lake avoiding customs)
  3. Lake Country Air.(fly from various Midwest locations to LOW and NW Angle)

4.  Take your own boat.  (Safety first, this is a 40 mile ride over big water)

Fishing report courtesy of Lake of the Woods Tourism Bureau

LakeoftheWoodsMN.com | (218) 634-1174

PO Box 518 · Baudette · Minnesota · 56623

Finally All boats in the water today!!

Published on June 22, 2022 by Connie Peterson – Comments off
Filed under: Fishing Reports, News and Updates

We have 3 of our camping guests out on the lake today- much better today than yesterday with that wind!!!

Jon and Maria, Bob and his friend John, and our 3rd group of camping guests fishing today, John with his 2 good friends, Steve, and Clint, are all on the water today!!

Jon and Maria reported 11 fish – 2 keepers, Bob 8 with 2 keepers, and John and the guys -good fishing – loads of fun!!

Fishing Report 1.26.22 Lake of the Woods Tourism Bureau

Published on January 30, 2022 by Connie Peterson – Comments off
Filed under: Fishing Reports
Fishing Report

1.26.2022

On the south end…  A great week of ice fishing on Lake of the Woods for walleyes and saugers.  Anglers are working through lots of small “future keepers” to find the eaters, slots and trophy walleyes.  Most ice fishing is taking place in 28 – 32 feet of water.

Resorts and outfitters working hard to keep fish houses on fish.  As the season progresses, it is important to work every fish.  Electronics are helpful to show you when fish are below you, where in the water column and how they are reacting to your lures and presentation.  Suspended fish tend to be nice walleyes or tullibees.

Work a combination of a jigging line and a deadstick.  Jigging spoons with a rattle tipped with a minnow head or piece of tail, rippin raps, or simply a jig head and minnow for jigging line.  If the fish are finicky, downsize presentation.

On the deadstick, try a plain colored hook or a glow or glow red/gold jig-o-bit or large crappie jig with a live minnow 6″ off the bottom.  Jig your deadstick frequently to catch more fish.

On the Rainy River…  Walleye fishing is best in the mornings and evenings.  Gold, glow or gold combined with glow colors working well.  A jig and minnow close to the bottom has been effective.

Those fishing sturgeon are still catching but patience is definitely part of the equation.  Smaller sturgeon and other species are often caught while waiting for the big fish.

The snowmobile trail is groomed, staked and in good shape from Baudette to Wheeler’s Point continuing up to the Angle.

Up at the NW Angle…  A wonderful week of walleye fishing up at the Angle.  Resorts are doing a nice job of tracking fish movements and keeping fish houses in productive areas.

Walleyes with some saugers, jumbo perch, eelpout and pike mixed in is what most anglers are catching.

Gold, pink and various glow colors have been productive.  Vibration and noise can also be helpful on LOW due to the stained water.  Colors and noise are important but jigging cadence and getting the fish to react is even more so.

There are various ways to travel to the Angle.  Drive through Canada 40 miles and re-enter the U.S. up at the Angle (vaccination and COVID test required).  To avoid traveling through Canada, the NW Angle Guest Ice Road, snowmobile trails, LOW Passenger Service (bombardier service across the lake) and Lake Country Air.

Guests pictures 12.23.21

Published on December 23, 2021 by Connie Peterson – Comments off
Filed under: Fishing Reports, News and Updates

Thank you Brad for sharing your Photo’s –Guest Photos 12.23.21

Had the great pleasure of Brad and his fishing buddies coming fish with us again this year!!

 

Thank you to each and every one of our guests this past week- we are so blessed to have you with us!!  

Dale and Connie and our Team!!!

Fishing Report from Lake of the Woods Tourism 12.22.21 Report

Published on December 23, 2021 by Connie Peterson – Comments off
Filed under: Fishing Reports, News and Updates
Received from Lake of the Woods Tourism Bureau on 12.23.21 to dmrservice@hotmail.com
Fishing Report

12.22.2021

On the south end…  Ice fishing is going strong on Lake of the Woods.  As the ice thickens, resorts / outfitters start increasing weight limits.  Each area of the lake can have very different ice conditions, check ahead based on where you access the lake.  Stay on marked ice roads, trails, etc.

Fishing reports for walleyes and saugers are excellent.  Most anglers report catching numbers of fish and having to sort through many small fish to find keepers.  Good for the future but make sure you have plenty of bait.  Nice numbers of slot fish (19.5″ – 28.0″) are being caught, quickly photographed and released.  A good population of trophy walleyes over 28.0″ in the lake and they are being caught as well.

Good action in 21 – 27 feet of water.  For those who are portable, some morning / evening fish are being caught from 9 – 18′ along shore.

The one two punch, jigging one line and deadsticking your second line is most effective.  Gold, glow colors, lighted lures and lures with vibration and rattles effective on jigging line.  A live minnow just off the bottom on the second line for your deadstick.  Some using a plain hook, others prefer an ice jig.

Pike anglers are still finding good numbers of pike on tip ups.  Plenty of pike being caught by walleye anglers.  Eelpout, jumbo perch, tullibees, sturgeon and an occasional crappie showing up as well.  You never know on Lake of the Woods.

On the Rainy River…  The Rainy River is ice covered and where there is good ice, anglers are finding walleyes and sturgeon.  With the current of the river, knowing where and where not to travel and working through resorts / outfitters who know ice conditions is key.

Good fishing this week.  The walleye bite is best in the mornings and evenings.  Sturgeon are still active and creating some sore arms!

Up at the NW Angle…  Ice is progressing nicely and the walleye fishing is starting out good.  Depending upon where resorts have fish houses, some are active mornings and evenings with a lull during the day.  Others positioned in deeper water pick at fish all day but not the flurries.  Both are good options.

The snowmobile trails along both the west and east sides of the lake are open, groomed and staked.  The ice runway for Lake Country Air is open and flights are delivering excited anglers.  Bomber service across the lake via Lake of the Woods Passenger Service anticipated after Christmas.

Driving via land to and from the Angle through Canada is open.  Must be vaccinated and have a negative PCR COVID Test. Plan ahead with testing or rapid tests are available in Baudette and this week in Warroad.  Once at the Angle, no additional COVID testing is necessary for traveling back south from the Angle through Canada.

Fishing Report from Lake of the Woods Tourism Bureau 12.15.21

Published on December 15, 2021 by Connie Peterson – Comments off
Filed under: Fishing Reports, Ice Conditions/Lake Access Report
We sure are off to a slow start thanks to Mother Nature.  We have not been able to put sleepers out on the ice as of yet.  Today was a foggy day with warm temps up to 32 degrees.  We are looking forward to the single-digit temps that will be coming our way in the next day or two.  We have day houses out with sleepers on land for 5 out of our 15 houses.  Multiple cancellations, so sad to have to call our guests and cancel their trip.  Fishing has been fun with a few slow spells in there, but fun nonetheless.
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Fishing Report

12.15.2021

On the south end…  Ice fishing has begun and fish houses are out on most areas of Lake of the Woods.  The lake is big and ice conditions vary greatly.  Be safe and work through a resort or outfitter and stick to their marked ice roads, trails and fishing areas where they have checked ice.

Fishing reports are excellent overall.  Early ice is a great time traditionally and this year is no different.  Good numbers of walleyes and saugers with eelpout, pike, perch and tullibees mixed in.

Anglers are fishing from 8 – 27 feet of water depending upon the time of day and in some cases, what ice conditions allow.  Some good walleyes caught early morning and last light in shallow water.  This bite can happen all winter as some walleyes will come up shallow to feed low light.

The one two punch, jigging one line and deadsticking your second line is most effective.  Gold, glow colors, lures with vibration and rattles, jigging spoons tipped with a minnow head or tail working well.  Live minnow just off the bottom on the second line.

As a general rule, snowmobiles, ATV’s and side by sides are being allowed so far.  For those fishing in resort fish houses, they will transport you out via light ice rigs.

Pike anglers are finding good numbers of big pike.  Some spearing / fishing is still taking place in bays.  Great success tip up fishing on the main lake.

Extreme safety is always important, especially so with early ice conditions.  Each resort / outfitter will share info as it is available.

On the Rainy River…  The Rainy River is ice covered and where there is good ice, anglers are finding walleyes and sturgeon.  With the current of the river, knowing where and where not to travel and working through resorts / outfitters who know ice conditions is key.

Sturgeon have been cooperative through the ice this week.  With a larger hole and beefed up equipment, those targeting dinosaurs are having great success.

Up at the NW Angle…  Ice is progressing nicely up at the Angle.  Some local snowmobile travel has been happening in marked areas with good ice conditions.  Like every year, there are areas with cracks, current, etc.  Stay on marked trails when things open up. Check with your favorite NW Angle resort for specifics.

Travel to and from the Angle via land through Canada is open.  Must be vaccinated and have a negative PCR COVID Test. Plan ahead with testing or rapid tests are available in Baudette and soon in Warroad.  Once at the Angle, no additional COVID testing is necessary for traveling back south from the Angle through Canada.

Want to avoid crossing the border?  Snowmobilers can take the groomed and staked trail across the lake.  Charter transport via bombardiers on the ice trail or flights over the lake landing on an ice runway are available through the LOW Passenger Service and Lake Country Air this winter.

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Courtesy of Lake of the Woods Tourism Bureau emailed to dmrservice@hotmail.com 12.15.21

Fishing Report from LOTW’s Tourism Bureau 11.17.21

Published on November 20, 2021 by Connie Peterson – Comments off
Filed under: Fishing Reports
11.20.21 Received the following fishing report from Lake of the Woods Tourism Bureau to our email address dmrservice@htomail.com
Enjoy!!!
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Fishing Report

11.17.2021

On the south end…  The fish are there, the anglers this time of year, not so much.  Some are deer hunting, some have put their boats away and are getting the ice fishing gear ready.  For those who have not winterized their boats, there are plenty of walleyes and saugers to be had.

Those who hit the water this week were rewarded.  Schools of walleyes and saugers are set up along the south shore and are active.  Anchored up and jigging with a fathead or emerald shiner is the most common method of fishing.

Most anglers report good fishing in 17-27 feet of water.  Gold, pink and glow continue to be hot colors in the stained waters of LOW.

Pike, jumbo perch, sturgeon, crappies and eelpout are also being caught by walleye anglers.

Looking forward to ice fishing!

On the Rainy River…   A great week of fishing on the Rainy River with good numbers of walleyes.  Most are jigging with emerald shiners.  Gold, glow and pink, gold / orange have been strong colors.

Sturgeon are still being caught, many by unsuspecting walleye anglers jigging with minnows.

Up at the NW Angle…  Back harbors and bays are just starting to ice up.  For the few anglers out fishing, the bite continues to be really good.  Most anglers are jigging.

Gold, pink and/or glow colored jigs are doing well.  Anglers fishing the U.S. side are tipping with a fathead or frozen shiner.  Those fishing the Ontario side tipping with various plastics.

Points, reefs and sandy areas in neck down areas continue to hold good fish.  12 – 24 feet depending upon the spot.

Travel to and from the Angle via vehicle through the 40 miles of Canada is open.  Must be vaccinated and have a negative PCR COVID Test. Rapid tests available in Baudette and soon in Warroad.

Want to avoid crossing the border?  Charter transport via bombardiers via the ice trail and flights over the lake delivering you to your desired resort are available through the LOW Passenger Service and Lake Country Air this winter.