1. Joe Henry

    On the South Shore… Deep summer patterns continue to dominate the walleye bite on Lake of the Woods, and the action has remained excellent. Anglers are having consistent ...more success using three different techniques — spinner rigs with crawlers, trolling crankbaits, and even jigging, which is impressively still producing. Most anglers are pulling crawler harnesses over the expansive mud basin of Big Traverse Bay. Depths of 25 to 35 feet have been the sweet spot. Drifting or trolling at 1.0 – 1.25 mph has been the ticket for connecting with numbers of eater-size walleyes and saugers, as well as the occasional big slot fish (19.5–28 inches), which must be released. Hot Spinner Colors: Gold continues to be the go-to, with gold/orange, gold/pink, and gold/glow red all producing well in the stained water. Trolling crankbaits is also putting good fish in the boat, especially for those looking to cover water and target scattered schools of walleyes. The best crankbait colors remain the classics — firetiger, pink UV firetiger, chartreuse, chrome/blue, and of course, gold. While many anglers shift away from jigging in late July, some are still finding success by vertical jigging with frozen emerald shiners. It’s been a unique season where all three techniques — spinners, crankbaits, and jigs — are continuing to produce solid results. On the Rainy River… The Rainy River offers a quieter alternative and is a great place to fish, especially on days when the wind whips up. A variety of species are being caught, and the sturgeon “keep” season is in full swing through September. Anglers targeting sturgeon are using circle hooks baited with crawlers or frozen emerald shiners and fishing deep holes or current seams. In addition to sturgeon, it’s common to catch walleyes, saugers, suckers, smallmouth bass, or northern pike while soaking bait on the bottom. With lighter boat traffic and beautiful scenery, it’s an enjoyable place to kick back and bend a rod. Up at the Northwest Angle… Fishing remains excellent at the Northwest Angle, with walleyes being caught using a variety of methods. Anglers are jigging with minnows or plastics around structure like sunken islands, points, and neck-down areas. Others are pulling crawler harnesses with bottom bouncers over mud or along transitions from mud to rock. This part of the lake also offers great multi-species action. Northern pike, jumbo perch, smallmouth bass, and even crappies are providing bonus bites. And with rising water temps, the muskie bite is strong as well.

    1. George Horvath 0
      Nice 👍 Muskie
  2. Joe Henry

    On the South Shore... It’s mid-July, and the summer walleye patterns on Lake of the Woods are in full effect — and the fishing has been excellent! As expected ...more this time of year, most anglers are now pulling spinners with crawlers or trolling crankbaits, two proven techniques that are putting good numbers of walleyes and saugers in the boat. Reports are strong, with lots of anglers catching limits of eaters and also encountering plenty of “slot fish.” Slot fish are walleyes between 19.5 and 28.0 inches that must be released to protect the fishery — and many of these are big, healthy, and exciting to catch. Snap a quick photo and release them so they can help produce more walleyes in the future. Fish are being caught in a range of depths, but 25 to 35 feet over the deep mud basin of Big Traverse Bay has been especially productive. Best Spinner Colors: Gold, gold/orange, gold/pink, and gold/glow red have been consistent producers. Troll spinners around 1.0 – 1.25 mph for best results. Best Crankbait Colors: In LOW’s stained water, classic colors are hard to beat — gold, firetiger, pink UV firetiger, chartreuse, and chrome/blue are all catching fish. While jigging typically slows down by now, some anglers are still jigging with frozen emerald shiners and having success. This season has been unique in that all three techniques—jigging, spinner rigs, and cranks—are still getting the job done! On the Rainy River... The Rainy River remains a great option, and also a nice backup on windy days or for those who prefer a quiet stretch of water to kick back and relax. A mixed bag of fish is common here. The sturgeon “keep” season is currently open and runs through September. Anglers can keep one sturgeon between 45–50 inches or one over 75 inches per calendar year (with a tag). Many are soaking crawlers and/or frozen emerald shiners on the bottom to target these giants. While targeting sturgeon, it’s not unusual to catch walleyes, saugers, suckers, or even a surprise smallmouth or pike. Deeper holes and current breaks are key locations to find fish on the river. Up at the Northwest Angle... Fishing continues to be very strong at the Northwest Angle, Minnesota’s northernmost point and one of the most scenic parts of the lake. Walleyes are being found in a variety of spots, from structure to open mud flats. Some anglers are still jigging with minnows or plastics near points, sunken islands, and neck-down areas where water moves. Others are trolling or drifting with bottom bouncers and crawler harnesses to cover ground, especially on the edges of flats or where mud transitions to rock. As a bonus, many anglers are enjoying catching a variety of species in this part of the lake, including smallmouth bass, jumbo perch, northern pike, and crappies. The muskie bite is also heating up with warmer water temps. Anglers are reporting good action, especially on figure-8s at the boat. Gold and bronze blades on bucktails have been effective. Please handle these fish with care and release them quickly. Why Fish Lake of the Woods in July and August? While other lakes slow down in the dog days of summer due to thickening weeds, a ton of bait and lots of boats, Lake of the Woods keeps producing. With stained water and a daytime bite, millions of walleyes and saugers, cool depths, and miles of fish-holding water, this fishery stays hot all summer long. Visit LakeoftheWoodsMN.com for everything you need to plan your next fishing adventure, including resorts, charter guides, boat rentals, and fishing reports. The bite is on — come make some memories!

    1. George Horvath 0
      Nice 👍
  3. Joe Henry

    It’s mid-July, and the fishing action on Lake of the Woods is nothing short of spectacular. From the Rainy River into Big Traverse Bay up to the NW Angle, anglers ...more are making memories every day. And if you need proof of just how incredible this fishery is, look no further than the Minnesota Tournament Trail (MTT) results this past week. MN Tournament Trail Recap... Lake of the Woods recently hosted two back-to-back, one-day catch and release tournaments on July 10th and 11th. The MTT uses Fish Donkey, a fishing tournament hosting platform that features Catch Photo Video Release technology. This means fish are quickly measured, photographed, and released back into the lake to fight another day. The stats from these tournaments are simply jaw-dropping. -45 teams competed, measuring approximately 450 fish each day! -On day one alone, there were 9 walleyes over 30 inches recorded. -Day two topped that with an incredible 16 walleyes over 30 inches. It’s yet another testament to why Lake of the Woods is proudly known as the Walleye Capital of the World. On the South Shore... Fishing remains excellent along the south end of Lake of the Woods. Interestingly, the jig bite is still going strong, even though by this time of year most anglers typically switch over to pulling spinners with crawlers or trolling crankbaits. This season, all three techniques are producing fish. Jigging: The classic jig and frozen emerald shiner combo continues to catch nice walleyes. Hot jig colors have been orange, yellow, gold, gold/chartreuse, and orange/yellow. Spinners: Pulling spinners with crawlers is really picking up steam. Gold paired with red, pink, or orange on the blades is a solid bet right now. Trolling around 1.0 to 1.25 mph is a good starting point. Crankbaits: Trolling crankbaits is also delivering nice catches. In the stained waters of LOW, colors like gold, firetiger, pink UV firetiger, chartreuse, and chrome/blue are hard to beat. Walleyes are taking advantage of various forage opportunities, hence, can be found in many areas and depths. The go to depths are 25 - 35 feet. On the Rainy River... The Rainy River continues to be a relaxing and productive option for anglers. Right now, the sturgeon keep season is open, and some anglers are enjoying the beautiful summer days soaking crawlers for these prehistoric giants. Of course, walleyes and saugers are still in the river too, often hanging out in deeper holes or near current breaks. Plus, don’t forget about the strong population of smallmouth bass and pike in the river — they’re often overlooked but provide some awesome rod-bending action. Up at the Northwest Angle... Fishing remains strong at the NW Angle with its variety of structure, scenery and wildlife amongst the 14,552 islands in this part of the lake. Walleyes: Many anglers are still jigging with minnows or plastics along the edges of structure, in neck-down areas with some current, and off rocky points. Sunken islands surrounded by open mud are also holding good numbers of walleyes. Drifting or trolling these areas with a bottom bouncer and spinner tipped with a crawler or imitation crawler has been super effective. Muskies: The muskie bite is picking up as the water warms. Good numbers of fish are being reported, with many caught right at the boat on the figure 8. Gold and bronze blades have been hot colors for those throwing big bucktails. Multispecies action is common with pike, smallmouth bass and jumbo perch in the mix. Why Lake of the Woods Shines All Summer. When other walleye lakes across the Midwest start to slow down this time of year because of heavy weed growth, too many young-of-the-year perch or bluegills competing for attention, and boat traffic, Lake of the Woods just keeps pumping out fish. It’s no wonder anglers travel from all over the country to experience this world-class fishery. Whether you’re after eater-sized walleyes for a fish fry or a trophy to photograph and release, Lake of the Woods has it all.

    1. George Horvath 0
      Nice 👍
  4. Joe Henry

    It’s classic midsummer on Lake of the Woods, and the fishing is living up to its world-class reputation. Right now, anglers are catching walleyes and saugers three ...more main ways: jigging with frozen emerald shiners, pulling spinners with crawlers, and trolling crankbaits. Each of these techniques is putting plenty of fish in the boat. On the South Shore… Good limits of walleyes and saugers continue to be the story. Fish are being caught in a wide range of depths, from 12 feet all the way out to 36 feet. Many walleyes have made their summer move over the deep mud, where both eater-sized fish and plenty of slot fish (19.5 – 28.0 inches) are being caught. If you’re looking for hot colors this week, try pink/gold, blue/white, gold/red, or orange/chartreuse. Jigging with a frozen emerald shiner is still going strong, but spinner rigs tipped with crawlers are really picking up steam. Running spinners at 1.0 – 1.25 mph is a great way to cover water and find active fish. Trolling crankbaits is also very effective, whether you’re using leadcore, snap weights, bottom bouncers with a shallow diving crank, or downriggers to target the 25-36 foot range. On the Rainy River… July 1st kicked off the sturgeon “keep season,” which means if you have a sturgeon tag, you can harvest one sturgeon between 45-50 inches or over 75 inches per calendar year. Catch and release is still allowed as well, offering plenty of chances to battle these prehistoric giants. The river is loaded with sturgeon right now, so it’s a perfect time to try your hand at these big fish that can reach weights over 100 lbs. Walleyes and saugers are also being caught in the Rainy River, especially in deeper holes and around current breaks. Don’t overlook the river’s strong smallmouth bass population either — there are some real footballs to be caught. There are some great summer options for fishing the 42 miles of navigable Rainy River. It is also a nice option if the wind blows or you want a change of scenery. Up at the Northwest Angle… Most anglers are still jigging around the thousands of islands in 15-30 feet of water. As the summer progresses, bottom bouncers paired with crawler harnesses become even more effective, letting anglers cover ground across flats and along edges where mud meets structure. It’s also muskie season up at the Angle, and fishing is going strong. Anglers are catching and releasing some beautiful fish. Remember, muskies are sensitive predators, so please take extra care when handling and photographing them to ensure a healthy release. Why Lake of the Woods Shines in Summer. Across much of the walleye belt, summer can bring tough fishing. Weed growth, millions of young-of-the-year perch and other baitfish, and heavy boat traffic make them harder to catch. But that’s not the case on Lake of the Woods. The massive mud basin, countless reefs and rock piles, and sheer abundance of walleyes keep the bite consistent all summer long. More info at www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com.

    1. George Horvath 0
      Nice 👍
  5. Joe Henry

    Lake of the Woods Fishing Report — Fishing Remains Excellent! Fishing continues to be outstanding on Lake of the Woods. Whether you’re jigging, pulling spinners, ...more or trolling crankbaits, anglers are enjoying steady action and taking home plenty of walleyes and saugers. On the South Shore... Good numbers of walleyes are now gravitating to the deep mud basin. This time of year, it’s common to see bug hatches over the deep mud, which attracts hungry walleyes looking for an easy meal. Fishing anywhere from 27 to 35 feet has been productive. The jig bite remains strong. Many anglers are still anchoring up or spot-locking and working a jig tipped with a frozen emerald shiner. Hot jig colors this week include orange and chartreuse, gold combined with orange or pink, as well as glow white. Mixing up your colors and letting the fish tell you what they want can really pay off. Spinners and crawlers are also gaining momentum. Drifting or slowly trolling at 1.0 to 1.25 mph with a 2 - 3 ounce weight or bottom bouncer, a two or three hook harness with a hammered gold blade paired with pink, orange, chartreuse, or glow red or white beads has been very effective. This technique is a great way to cover water and entice walleyes spread out over the basin. Many anglers report catching a mix of walleyes and saugers using this method. Trolling crankbaits is another excellent option right now. Some anglers are trolling using downriggers to get their lures down to the fish. Others are using leadcore line, snap weights, or a 3-4 ounce bottom bouncer paired with a 6-foot mono or fluorocarbon leader with a shallow diving crankbait. These setups are helping anglers reach the right depth and keep their baits in the strike zone. The ability to cover lots of water while presenting wobble, vibration, and color makes trolling cranks a very effective way to locate and catch walleyes. On the Rainy River... The Rainy River is still producing some nice walleyes, and it won’t be long until anglers start shifting their attention to sturgeon again. Sturgeon season opens on July 1st, and the river is loaded with these prehistoric giants. If you’re planning a trip in July or August, soaking a few crawlers on a sturgeon rig can give you the chance to hook into one of the biggest fish of your life. Up at the Northwest Angle... Excellent fishing continues at the Angle. Walleyes are being found from 12 to 24 feet, relating to both mud and structure. The jig and minnow bite remains solid on rock and sand transitions, while other anglers are also pulling spinners or crankbaits along shoreline breaks and over deeper mud areas. This is producing not just walleyes, but also a nice mix of jumbo perch, pike, and even smallmouth bass. Muskie anglers have been busy with nice numbers of fish and some big ones. Some fish exceeding 53 inches were caught this past week. Plan Your Trip. Lake of the Woods is living up to its reputation as the Walleye Capital of the World. With a healthy population of walleyes, saugers, pike, smallmouth bass, and soon, sturgeon back in season, now is a perfect time to get out on the water. Whether you’re fishing with your own boat, hiring a guide, or jumping on a charter, the opportunities for success are excellent. For more information on resorts, guides, charters, or trip planning tools, check out LakeoftheWoodsMN.com.

    1. George Horvath 0
      Nice 😊
  6. Joe Henry

    On the South Shore... It’s been another excellent week of summer walleye fishing on Lake of the Woods, with anglers catching good numbers of walleyes and saugers ...more using a variety of techniques. Three main methods are producing fish right now: jigging, pulling spinners, and trolling crankbaits. A notable bite took place this week along Pine Island, with walleyes being caught in 12 to 15 feet of water. Across the south shore, spinners tipped with crawlers are working well in depths ranging from 12 to 35 feet, as anglers target various schools of walleyes across the sand, mud flats and near structure. The jig bite is still putting fish in the boat for many anglers, especially those anchoring up or using spot-lock over concentrated schools. A frozen emerald shiner or fathead minnow continues to be the go-to bait when jigging. However, as summer progresses and water temps rise, more anglers are shifting toward spinners and crankbaits to cover more water and locate active fish. Trolling crankbaits is gaining momentum as a productive technique. Cranks not only cover water quickly, but they also offer a chance at bonus fish like pike and perch. What colors? With the stained waters of Lake of the Woods, gold or gold combined with pink, orange, chartreuse or glow white are good options. On the Rainy River... It’s a great time to fish the Rainy River with multi-species action in full swing. There’s a reliable local population of walleyes and saugers, with fish being caught in deeper holes and along channel edges. Smallmouth bass are very active and can be found around current breaks, rocky shorelines, and along weed edges. Casting crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and soft plastics are all productive. Pike are spread throughout the river system, but back bays and areas with slack water near current breaks are reliable ambush points. A reminder that sturgeon fishing reopens July 1st, and anglers with a sturgeon tag can harvest one fish per year within the slot (45–50 inches or over 75 inches) between July 1 and September 30. Up at the Northwest Angle... Fishing continues to be strong amongst the islands. Walleyes are being caught near structure in a variety of depths—12 to 24 feet has been especially productive. Jigging with minnows, pulling spinners with crawlers, and trolling crankbaits are all producing good results. In addition to walleyes, anglers are catching a nice mix of perch, pike, crappies and smallmouth bass. As we move deeper into June, smallmouth action along rocky shorelines and shallow structure remains excellent. Muskie season opened this past weekend and initial reports were good. With 14,552 islands in LOW, there is a lot of habitat and a lot of fish! For more information on lodging, guides, charter fishing, and planning your next trip, visit LakeoftheWoodsMN.com.

    1. George Horvath 0
      Nice 👍
  7. Joe Henry

    On the South Shore... It was another great week of fishing on Lake of the Woods! The bite remained strong throughout the area. Walleyes are active and transitioning ...more in how they’re feeding and where they’re holding. The jig bite is still producing in many areas, with anglers anchoring or using spot-lock in areas with roaming schools of walleyes. A 3/8 to 1/2 oz jig tipped with a frozen emerald shiner continues to be a top performer. Classic Lake of the Woods colors—gold, orange, chartreuse, pink, and glow white, or a combination of these colors—are producing well. Some anglers are beginning to use leeches on jigs with success, especially as water temps rise. In addition to jigging, pulling spinners is becoming more effective. Many anglers are using crawlers on their spinner rigs, while others are experimenting with minnows for added variety. Hammered gold blades combined with pink, glow red, orange, or white remain great color options. This time of year, versatility can make all the difference. Trolling crankbaits over deep mud is also gaining momentum as water temperatures climb. Cranks allow anglers to cover water efficiently and locate scattered fish. In addition to walleyes, this technique often produces bonus species like pike, smallmouth bass, and jumbo perch. Productive depths have ranged, but deeper mud and rocks in 25 - 35 feet have yielded strong results. For anglers who enjoy using forward facing sonar, the deep mud shines for scoping fish. Tournament tip, keep an eye out for those monster walleyes just below the surface! On the Rainy River... The Rainy River is still producing some nice walleyes. As water temperatures rise and the current remains steady, a 1/2 oz jig tipped with a frozen emerald shiner is still effective, particularly when vertically jigged in deeper holes and along channel edges. Looking to explore? Pulling spinners with crawlers or trolling crankbaits is a great way to cover ground and locate active fish. Troll along shorelines, weed edges and through various holes in the river. Casting crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and swim jigs along shorelines, docks, and in back bays is also putting walleyes, pike, and smallmouth bass in the boat. A fun way to explore and catch a mixed bag. With the strong sturgeon population, some groups are making plans to spend a few days relaxing while soaking some crawlers for the largest fish in Lake of the Woods, lake sturgeon. Sturgeon fishing reopens July 1st. From July 1 through September 30, anglers with a valid sturgeon tag can harvest one fish per year between 45–50 inches or over 75 inches. Up at the Northwest Angle... Fishing remains excellent at the Northwest Angle. Walleyes are being caught in 12 to 24 feet of water near shoreline structure, underwater points, and shallow reefs. The jig and minnow bite continues to be hot in traditional walleye areas such as points, neckdown areas and sunken islands. Trolling crankbaits along shoreline structure such as points, rubble areas or weed edges will produce a mixed bag of walleyes, jumbo perch, pike, and smallmouth bass. If you aren't finding a big school of fish, covering water will normally produce. When you start catching, go back and forth in that area. The muskie opener for both Minnesota and Ontario’s Zone 5 is Saturday, Lake of the Woods is known as one of the best muskie fisheries on the planet! Plan Your Trip... Lake of the Woods continues to shine as a premier walleye destination. Whether you're jigging, pulling spinners, trolling crankbaits, or casting for a mixed bag, the lake is healthy and full of opportunity. Bring your own boat or take advantage of the many full-service resorts offering charter boats and expert guides. For everything you need to plan your fishing adventure, visit LakeoftheWoodsMN.com.

    1. George Horvath 0
      Nice 😊
  8. Joe Henry

    On the South Shore… It was another great week of fishing on Lake of the Woods! A couple of days, anglers changed up where they fished based on weather, but overall, ...more people caught fish. Walleyes are active, but they’re also beginning to transition in how they’re feeding and where they’re hanging out. The jig bite remains strong in many areas, but some anglers are now switching things up to spinners with great results. Some anglers are still anchoring or spot-locking and jigging with frozen emerald shiners, which continue to be a top bait. A 3/8 to 1/2 oz jig is ideal. Some are experimenting with leeches on their jigs and finding good success, especially as water temps rise. Don’t forget to try those classic LOW colors—gold, glow white, chartreuse, pink, or combinations like gold/glow white/pink. Some anglers are starting to pull spinners with good walleye success. Most are using crawlers on their spinner rigs, but switching over to a minnow once in a while can also produce better results some days. This time of year, it pays to be versatile. Good spinner colors are similar to jig colors, hammered gold combined with pink, glow white, orange and glow red are good options. Some anglers have reported excellent walleye action in 14 to 18 feet of water, tied to a dragonfly hatch in some areas. Walleyes are feeding on these larvae that emerge from the bottom. Throughout the summer, various bug hatches around the lake can concentrate fish in specific areas—keep your eyes open for these fish catching opportunities. Trolling crankbaits is also gaining momentum and is catching walleyes as water temps continue to climb. Crankbaits help anglers cover water quickly and find scattered fish. It’s a great way to target walleyes and can produce bonus species like pike, smallmouth bass and perch. As for depth, fish are being caught everywhere from shallow sand in 8 feet to deep mud and rocks in 31 feet. That 14 - 18 and 25 to 29-foot range have been particularly productive. On the Rainy River… The Rainy River is still holding some decent walleyes. As water temps rise and the current remains steady, a 1/2 - 3/4 oz jig tipped with a frozen emerald shiner remains effective, especially when vertically jigged in deeper holes and along the channel edges. Looking to change things up? Spinners with crawlers or trolling crankbaits are great ways to explore and find active fish. Want even more variety? Casting crankbaits, spinnerbaits, or swim jigs along shorelines, docks, and back bays can always be a productive option producing a mixed bag that includes walleyes, pike, and smallmouth bass. Reminder: The sturgeon season is currently closed, but will reopen July 1st. From July 1 through September 30, anglers with a sturgeon tag can harvest one sturgeon per year—either 45–50 inches or over 75 inches. Up at the Northwest Angle… Fishing continues to be excellent at the Angle. Walleyes are being caught in 12 to 24 feet of water, particularly around shoreline structure, underwater points, and shallow reefs. The jig and minnow bite is still going strong, especially on rock and sand transitions. Trolling crankbaits along shallow structure has also been productive. This approach is helping anglers cover water and locate schools of feeding fish. In addition to walleyes, many are catching jumbo perch, pike, and smallmouth bass. Speaking of bass—now is a great time to target smallmouth. June is a month that can be really productive simply working shorelines. Focus on points, scattered rubble and small areas of structure. Looking ahead: The muskie opener in both Minnesota and Ontario Zone 5 is coming up June 21st. With Lake of the Woods’ healthy muskie population and 14,552 islands to explore, anglers are getting ready for another great muskie season! Plan Your Trip. Lake of the Woods continues to produce consistent catches of nice walleyes. Some anglers bring their own boats. Others prefer to board a charter boat or in with a guide. Whether you’re jigging, pulling spinners, trolling cranks, or casting for a mixed bag, the lake is healthy and good catches are being reported around the lake. For more information on resorts, guides, charter boats, and trip planning, visit LakeoftheWoodsMN.com.

    1. George Horvath 0
      Wow 😮 that’s a big one ☝️
  9. Joe Henry

    The bite continues to be red-hot on Lake of the Woods, with walleyes and saugers providing plenty of action across many areas! Whether you're targeting shallow ...more sand, deep mud, or rocky structure, fish are active and hungry. On the South Shore... The jig bite remains the top producer on the South Shore! Anglers are finding walleyes and saugers in a wide range of depths, with the 23 to 28-foot range being especially productive. Walleyes are relating to various forage opportunities, showing up on sand, mud, and rock alike. The most effective technique continues to be anchoring up or spot-locking and jigging. A 3/8 to 1/2 ounce jig tipped with a frozen emerald shiner is the go-to bait. Don't forget those bright colors in the stained waters of LOW – gold / glow white, gold / chartreuse, gold / glow white / pink, or straight gold are all catching walleyes. Some good pike are still being caught by unsuspecting walleye anglers. While many have moved into the main lake, some big northerns are still lingering in the shallows, offering an exciting change of pace if you're looking for a fight. On the Rainy River... The Rainy River is still yielding some fantastic walleyes! With climbing water temperatures and steady current, a 3/4 ounce jig tipped with a frozen emerald shiner is working well. Most anglers are vertically jigging in deeper holes or just off the main channel. Four Mile Bay continues to be productive, especially when fishing the channel edges and slowing your presentation. For those looking to cover more water and find active fish, consider switching to spinner rigs tipped with crawlers or trolling crankbaits. If you're up for a fun challenge, try casting crankbaits, swim jigs, or spinnerbaits along the shoreline, around docks, or into the bays for multispecies action. The sturgeon season is currently closed but will reopen on July 1st. From July 1st through September 30th, anglers with a sturgeon tag can harvest one sturgeon per calendar year, either 45-50 inches or over 75 inches. Up at the Northwest Angle... Excellent fishing continues at the Northwest Angle! Walleyes are being found in 12-24 feet of water, particularly off shoreline structure, points, and shallow reefs. The jig and minnow bite remains strong, with most anglers anchoring up and working rock or sand transitions. In addition to jigging, trolling crankbaits along shallow shoreline structure in 6 to 9 feet of water is producing walleyes as well as a mixed bag. Points, underwater points and rock rubble areas are holding good numbers of fish. Trolling is a great way to cover water and locate active, feeding fish. Muskie anglers, the muskie opener is June 21st for both Minnesota and Ontario’s Zone 5. As most muskie anglers know, the lake is healthy for muskies right now. With 14,552 islands, there are plenty of places to spread out and fish. For more information on resorts, guides, charters, and trip planning, visit: LakeoftheWoodsMN.com

    1. George Horvath 0
      Nice 👍
  10. Joe Henry

    On the South Shore… The jig bite continues to be on fire this week on Lake of the Woods! Anglers are finding walleyes and saugers in a variety of depths across ...more the south shore. Depending on the forage they’re following, some fish are being found in as shallow as 8 feet of water and others out to 31 feet. The mid-range depths of 23 to 28 feet have been especially productive. The lake offers a mix of bottom types and structure, and walleyes are showing up on all of it, relating to different forage opportunities. Sand, mud, and rock are all holding fish right now. Anglers are catching fish in shallower water relating to sand, deeper mud flats, and rocky structure in depths ranging from 6 to 29 feet. The go-to method continues to be anchoring up or spot locking and jigging a minnow. A 3/8 to 1/2 ounce jig tipped with a frozen emerald shiner has been very effective. As always, bright colors are key in the stained waters of LOW—gold, chartreuse, pink, orange, and glow, or a combination of these colors are all producing. If you’re fishing with a group, it helps to mix up colors and types of minnows to figure out what the fish prefer that day. Frozen emerald shiners are the top bait, but lively fatheads and rainbows are also catching plenty of fish. Some bonus pike continue to be caught, including by unsuspecting walleye anglers. While many pike have moved into the main lake, there are still some fish lingering in the shallows. If you enjoy chasing big northern pike, now is a great time. Anglers are reminded that the combined walleye and sauger limit on the Minnesota side of Lake of the Woods is 6 fish, with up to 4 being walleyes. All fish between 19.5 and 28 inches must be released. One walleye over 28 inches can be kept per day. On the Rainy River… The Rainy River continues to give up some nice walleyes. With water temps climbing and the current still moving, a 3/4 ounce jig tipped with a frozen emerald shiner is working great. Most anglers are vertically jigging in deeper holes or just off the main channel. Four Mile Bay has produced some solid bites, especially when fishing the edges of the channel and slowing things down. Some anglers are switching things up and using spinner rigs tipped with crawlers or trolling shallow diving crankbaits. Both methods allow you to cover water and find active fish. For a fun change of pace, try casting crankbaits, swim jigs, or spinnerbaits along the shoreline, around docks, or into the bays. You’ll catch walleyes, smallmouth bass, pike, and maybe even a surprise or two. The sturgeon season is currently closed but will reopen on July 1st. From July 1 through September 30, anglers with a sturgeon tag can harvest one sturgeon per calendar year, either 45–50 inches or over 75 inches. Up at the Northwest Angle… Excellent fishing continues up at the Northwest Angle. Walleyes are being found in 12–18 feet of water, particularly off of shoreline structure, points, and shallow reefs. The jig and minnow bite remains strong, with most anglers anchoring up and working rock or sand transitions. In addition to jigging, trolling crankbaits along shallow shoreline structure in 6 to 9 feet of water has been productive and will most definitely produce a mixed bag. Focus on "fishy" spots such as points and rock rubble areas. Trolling cranks allows anglers to cover water and find active fish feeding on the move. As always, anglers are catching a mix of species at the Angle, in addition to walleyes and saugers, jumbo perch, northern pike, and smallmouth bass are in good numbers. The muskie opener is right around the corner—June 21st for both Minnesota and Ontario’s Zone 5. With good water conditions and lots of bait in the system, it’s shaping up to be another strong season. With so many fish being caught and great weather ahead, now is a great time to book a trip to Lake of the Woods. Whether you’re fishing with friends, family, or going solo, you’ll find great action and beautiful scenery. For more information on resorts, guides, charters, and trip planning, visit: LakeoftheWoodsMN.com

    1. Julia Miller 0
      This looks really great. Are you interested in adding a contact?
    2. George Horvath 0
      Nice 👍 one ☝️
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