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!!
Thank you Guy’s for Camping with us!! Up early, putting the boat on the water, fished all day, campfire every night !
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.
Thank you
Troy ~ Jennifer ~ Hunter ~ and ~ Madeline
It was such a great pleasure having you fish with us!! Dale and Connie
Troy and Jennifer ~ thank you for taking the time to share your pictures with us!!! -c-
Congratulations Robert
42.5 inch Northern 1.4.22 Robert is a Guest in one of our Sleepers this week! Great Job Robert!
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!!!
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.
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
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.
11.10.2021
On the south end… Unseasonably warm temps are prolonging anglers’ appetites to continue open water fishing and it is paying off. The late fall bite is very strong!
As many anglers are focused on deer hunting, those who hit the water were rewarded. Schools of walleyes and saugers are set up along the south shore and are active. Looking ahead, these fish are set up nicely for first ice.
Anchored up and jigging with a fathead or emerald shiner is the go to method. Live shiners are available and effective.
Most anglers report good fishing in 17-27 feet of water. Gold, pink and glow continue to be hot colors.
Mixed in with the walleyes are pike, jumbo perch, sturgeon, crappies and eelpout.
Some back bays iced up on cold mornings!
On the Rainy River… More and more walleyes are being caught in the river each week. Mother Nature appears to be a couple of weeks behind this fall. To no surprise, most are stuffed with emerald shiners. Jigging with a frozen or live shiner has been the go to method, however, those trolling crankbaits also producing.
Sturgeon activity continues to be good with some big fish caught and released.
Up at the NW Angle… For the few anglers out fishing, the bite continues to be really good. Most anglers are jigging with big numbers of fish are being caught.
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.
Structure such as points, reefs and sandy areas in neck down areas continue to hold good fish. 12 – 26 feet continues to be the range 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. Boating into Canadian waters is now open.
Want to avoid crossing the border? Charter transport via water and ice and flights over the lake delivering you to your desired resort are available through the LOW Passenger Service and Lake Country Air both this fall and into the winter months via ice.
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Received from Lake of the Woods Tourism Bureau 11/10/21, cmp