September 9, 2021
River Bend Resort: Baudette, MN. As we are staring fall straight in the eyes, lower temperatures are beginning to become steady, and fishing has been fantastic. Great fishing is being reported all over the southern basin of Lake of The Woods in 22 – 32 feet of water. The Rainy River is also beginning to gain momentum with the onset of the shiner run.
As reported in last week’s fishing report, the jig bite is slowly picking up due to the cooler water temperatures. Combined with the shiners running this trend will take over the current spinner rig and crankbait trolling that has been the rage over the past couple months of summer. So, as we know, the shiners will make a massive migration up the Rainy River. Where that is beginning to happen, they will first stage just outside the mouth along the south shore of the lake. So will the Walleye.
September and October are phenomenal months to fish for walleye on Lake of The Woods. Not only is the action steady, but the chances of hooking into a trophy walleye increases with each day heading into winter. Knowing what we do about the shiners, where they stage and where they are headed, the fun part of fishing this time of year is that you can deploy all the above-mentioned techniques. Spinners rigged with a nightcrawler drifting or slow trolled across the southern shoreline or out deeper over mud continues to land big numbers of fish. Hammered gold, silver, yellow, or red blades are the go-to. Trolling perch or shad crankbaits over the same flats in the basin at 2.5 – 3mph is also continuing to produce. If you want to troll crankbaits along the southern shore, try long lining shallow diving baits that are either perch or crawfish colored – brown/orange, yellow/gold. And start shallow in 5 – 9 feet. And of course the old tried and true Lake of The Woods jigging. Brightly colored jig head – yellow, pink, orange, red, or gold – tipped with a minnow will work in any of these spots.
On the Rainy River, there have been reported good runs of the shiners already. And with everything else in play, the catch is starting to pick up. Not quite the smack down that’s on the way … but its beginning and will continue to pick up steam with each passing day. Again, the best time of the year to land a trophy walleye is quickly approaching. Anchor near or along a shoreline or use your electronics to find a nice hole and hold steady along the slope. About halfway from top to bottom so you can jig either side. Jig tipped with a minnow and depending upon the current the weight of the jig used. It has been my personal experience that all colors of jig head seem to work. But depending upon the day, cloudy vs. sunny, it will either be dark color jig or a bright yellow, orange, or white that will land the most.
Don’t be afraid to shake it away from the crowd. Our call agents are waiting for your call and will assist you with booking your next trip to Lake of The Woods with River Bend Resort. If you are bringing your own boat, you can book your cabin online through our website and give us a call to reserve a dock space. Also, it’s not too early to be thinking about getting out for some hard water fun and great fishing action. River Bend Resort has many options and packages to choose from.
Until next week … Keep a Tight Line! Bugs & Fishes ≤º))~{
