On the South End… A good week of fall walleye fishing on Big Traverse Bay. Anglers reported nice numbers of fish. Fish continue to be found in different locations ...more along the south shore in 15–22 feet of water, setting up nicely for the upcoming ice fishing season. Water temperatures continue to cool at a moderate pace. According to the Lake of the Woods Tourism Wave Buoys, the Big Traverse Bay surface temperature is now 49°F, down from 53°F last week. As water temperatures drop, walleyes are sliding shallower and feeding heavily in preparation for winter, which means the bite is only getting better. The best presentation remains vertical jigging with a frozen or live emerald shiner. A few anglers are still finding success trolling crankbaits to cover water, but the classic jig-and-minnow bite is tough to beat right now. Hot jig colors this week include orange/chartreuse, gold/orange or solid gold combined with pink, and glow white. Expect a nice mixed bag of walleyes, saugers, jumbo perch, and the occasional crappie or northern pike. The fall transition bite has been consistent and action-packed. On the Rainy River… Emerald shiners have moved into the Rainy River, though large schools have yet to arrive. Still, walleye reports were solid this week with plenty of fish being caught. Anglers are working current breaks, deeper holes, and weed edges, primarily jigging with a frozen or live shiner. Others are trolling crankbaits to cover water and locate active fish. Sturgeon fishing is good with many anglers catching multiple fish per trip. A classic sturgeon rig loaded with crawlers — and optionally tipped with a shiner or two — is effective. The catch-and-release sturgeon season is in effect. Up at the Northwest Angle… Fishing continues to be excellent across the islands and reefs of the Northwest Angle on both sides of the border. A jig and minnow remains the go-to tactic on points, reefs, neck-down areas, and mud-to-rock transitions. Anglers are catching walleyes, saugers, jumbo perch, crappies, smallmouth bass, and pike in good numbers. Muskie anglers are also finding good success as cooling water temps have fish on the move. Fall is prime time for trophy muskies over the 50-inch mark, and anglers are reporting plenty of follows and hookups on both artificial and live bait. Guides still have openings for that last fall trip, or, bring up your own boat. Lodging, guides and ice fishing packages at LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/Lodging.
