Lake of the Woods Fishing Report
Regularly updated information on the current fishing conditions, including which fish species are biting and what types of bait or lures are most effective. Our fishing reports can provide insights on weather conditions, ice thickness (for ice fishing), and the best fishing spots on Lake of the Woods and the Rainy River fisheries.
- Last Update: September 17, 2024
here are the
Latest Lake of the Woods Fishing Reports
September 16, 2024 Fishing Report for Lake of the Woods
South End:
The walleye and sauger bite remains excellent, with anglers enjoying steady action as we transition into fall. Fish are being found at various depths, but the sweet spot is consistently around 18 to 29 feet.
Jigging action has intensified with the cooling waters, now at 64°F. Popular jig colors this week include gold, orange, chartreuse, and pink. Some anglers have reported impressive catches jigging with frozen emerald shiners.
Anglers are still successfully jigging on or near structures, while others are locating schools of walleyes and saugers over deep muddy and sand to mud transition areas. Utilizing sonar technology can be particularly effective in finding fish in these conditions.
Spinners and trolling crankbaits are also yielding great results, offering versatile strategies during this transitional phase. As the season progresses, jigging will become the primary technique. For those using spinners, colors like gold, pink, orange, glow red, and glow white have proven successful. Be sure to adjust your weights from 1.5-3 ounces to correspond with your drifting or trolling depth and speed.
When trolling crankbaits, anglers are landing nice walleyes with notable colors such as gold, chrome/blue, pink UV, firetiger, and chartreuse. Faster trolling speeds up to 3.5 mph are producing bigger fish.
An increasing number of walleyes are appearing along the south shore of Big Traverse Bay, indicating a shift towards fall patterns. Good numbers of fish are chasing shiners and moving closer to the shorelines. The bite is promising and building up nicely for the fall jigging season both on the lake and in the Rainy River.
Rainy River:
A variety of species continues to be caught in the Rainy River, thanks to a robust current flow that gives fall anglers optimism for a successful shiner and walleye run this year. Reports are already surfacing of nice walleyes being caught in the river.
Shiners have been spotted all the way up to Birchdale, setting the stage for an exciting fall on the river. Reports of walleyes being caught from the docks are getting out. As always, Mother Nature will ultimately decide the outcome.
Sturgeon fishing is picking up, adding to the excitement of this angling season. The final day for the summer sturgeon keep season is September 30th, but they can be caught and immediately released after that.
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August 23, 2024 Fishing Report for Lake of the Woods
Hey folks! The fishing scene on the south end is really popping right now, especially for walleye! Those big ones are definitely on the bite during these dog days of summer at Lake of the Woods. If you’re fishing in that deep mud, aim for 28 to 35 feet. Anglers are having great luck using spinners and crankbaits to reel in some nice catches. Most people are snagging walleyes with spinners and crawlers. A solid go-to is a two-hook crawler harness paired with a spinner blade in colors like gold, gold/pink, pink, orange, glow red, or glow white. Just drift or troll at about 1 to 1.25 mph, using a 2 to 3-ounce weight or bottom bouncer with that crawler setup. If you’re deeper than 30 feet, a 3-ounce bouncer can really help you out. Trolling crankbaits is also racking up some good fish! Since those walleyes are spread out over the mud in Big Traverse Bay, covering more ground is the way to go. You’ll also find some walleyes chilling near rock reefs. With all that open mud, those structures can really draw fish in. If you have forward-facing sonar, you’re in luck! Anglers are nailing big walleyes throughout all levels of the water in Big Traverse Bay. By the way, the recent winners of the David A. Andersen Warrior Boats tournament caught five walleyes that weighed in at 55.76 lbs. Not too shabby!
Now, over on the Rainy River, there’s plenty going on! Sturgeon fishing is pretty steady this summer. Just anchor in a good spot or on a sloping bank and soak some crawlers or frozen emerald shiners (or both!) to get in on the action. Walleye anglers are hitting it big on flats, in holes, around current breaks, and over rocky areas. You can jig, troll with spinners and crawlers, or use crankbaits to land some fish.
Happy fishing, everyone! 🎣 —
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July 31st, 2024 Fishing Report for Lake of the Woods.
Hey there, fishing pals! Here’s the latest scoop from the south end of the river at River Bend Resort!
We’re seeing some solid summer fishing action with walleyes and saugers putting up a good fight. These fish are hanging out in the deep mud, a classic spot for this time of year.
We’ve got two hot techniques reeling in the most fish:
Spinning Success: Using a two or three hook crawler harness with a fat nightcrawler paired with a flashy spinner blade in gold, chartreuse, pink, orange, glow red, glow white, or a mix of these colors. Don’t forget to team it up with a 2-ounce bouncer (go for 3 ounces in 30+ feet of water) to keep that 45-degree angle for maximum effectiveness.
Trolling Thrills: Trolling crankbaits is another winner for hooking those walleyes. With so many of them scattered across Big Traverse Bay, covering more ground and getting your lure in front of these fishy targets is a smart move. Charters that troll often use downriggers, but you can also dive deep with lead core line, snap weights, or a 4-ounce bottom bouncer with a 6-foot leader and a shallow diving crankbait.
If anchoring and jigging is more your style, then go for it! Some anglers are dropping anchor over walleye schools and jigging with frozen emerald shiners to reel in those beauties. There’s no one right way to do it!
Most action on the mud is happening in the 28-34 feet range over the mud basin.
Now, onto the Rainy River… The water flow has slowed down, and the fishing is looking good! Sturgeon anglers are having a blast, catching fish of all sizes with plenty of action.
For walleye enthusiasts, spinning or trolling upstream is the way to go. Cover that water! If you’re targeting isolated spots, a jig and minnow combo might just do the trick.
Looking for some smallmouth bass fun? Head to rocky areas and spots with structure. Tube jigs, small crankbaits, and bladed jigs with a plastic trailer are reeling in those bronzebacks. Fish on!
July 12, 2024 Fishing Report For Lake of the Woods
Current Fishing Conditions
Lake of the Woods is experiencing excellent fishing conditions at the moment. The shorelines in 12-18 ft of water, from Pine Island to Long Point, are teeming with active fish. The surface temperature of the water is a warm 76 degrees, making the fish highly active and eager to feed.
Deep Water Bite
Additionally, there is a thriving deep-water bite in 34-36 ft of water, particularly from Long Point straight east to the US/Canadian Border, and up to Garden Island. This triangle of deep water is holding a significant number of big walleyes, as well as great-sized walleye and sauger.
Recommended Fishing Methods
The most successful methods for fishing in these conditions have been drifting spinners with two-hook crawler harnesses, equipped with one-and-a-half to two-ounce weights. Another effective technique is running lead core or using downriggers to deploy crankbaits deep into the water, moving them at speeds of 2-3 miles per hour.
Overall, the fishing opportunities at Lake of the Woods are abundant and promising, especially along the shorelines and in the deeper waters. Anglers are encouraged to make the most of these ideal conditions and techniques to reel in some impressive catches.
^^^ Click to Watch the Video Report! ^^^
June 18, 2024 Fishing Report For Lake of the Woods
This week at Lake of the Woods, anglers at River Bend Resort have been experiencing excellent fishing conditions. Vertical jigging with a frozen shiner tipped 3/8 oz jig in 20-30 feet of water has been yielding great results. Anglers targeting walleye have found success by pulling spinners with crawlers in the sand and rubble in depths ranging from 6-18 feet of water along the west shore from Zippel Bay to Long Point, as well as around Pine Island.
For vertical jigging, the best colors for jigs have been gold, pink, and a combination of pink and gold. Anglers have reported increased bites when using these color variations. When it comes to pulling spinners, the most effective colors have been hammered gold, silver, and 5 of diamonds with red and yellow accents. These color combinations have proven to attract walleye in the sandy and rocky areas, including around Pine Island and from Zippel Bay to Long Point.
To optimize success while drifting, maintaining a speed of 1-1.5 mph has been key. Anglers have been using 1-2 oz inline weights to control their drifting speed and stay in the target depth range. This steady drift, combined with the right colors for jigs and spinners, has resulted in consistent catches of walleye in the specified areas.
When the wind picks up, the lake may appear intimidating, but anglers can take advantage of the public landings available around the lake. These public landings provide convenient access points that allow anglers to launch their boats without having to travel on the lake in rough waters. This ensures safety and a hassle-free fishing experience for all anglers visiting Lake of the Woods.
Overall, anglers at River Bend Resort have been enjoying productive outings on Lake of the Woods this week, including fishing around Pine Island and the west shore from Zippel Bay to Long Point. The combination of vertical jigging, pulling spinners, and utilizing public landings during windy conditions has contributed to a successful fishing week. As the week progresses, anglers are encouraged to continue using the best practices and techniques shared in this report for a rewarding fishing experience at Lake of the Woods.
^^^ Click to Watch the Video Report! ^^^
June 5, 2024 Fishing Report for Lake of the Woods
Let’s delve into the latest fishing updates at Lake of the Woods, with a special focus on the southern end, where angling enthusiasts have been witnessing significant success recently. This region, encompassing the vicinity of River Bend Resort, has emerged as a hotspot for avid walleye fishers. Anglers have been relishing their time on charter boats or personal vessels, taking advantage of the accessibility to varied fishing locations along Lake of the Woods and the Rainy River, with River Bend Resort as a convenient hub.
The anglers targeting walleyes and saugers have been encountering fruitful outings by employing jigs paired with frozen emerald shiners. Specific color combinations like gold/glow white, gold/pink/glow white, and gold/orange have been particularly effective. Utilizing techniques such as anchoring and jigging in depths ranging from 6 to 36 feet has proven successful, with the most promising results often found between 21 and 32 feet. Alternately, pulling crankbaits or drifting with spinners, crawlers, or minnows has also shown promise.
The Rainy River has witnessed enthusiastic anglers finding success in the early hours of the morning and evenings by utilizing a jig and minnow setup to target walleye. The increased flow stemming from recent rainfall has created favorable conditions around current breaks for fishing, with trolling crankbaits against the current in depths of 6 to 12 feet yielding positive outcomes. Smallmouth bass aficionados have also discovered active fish populations near shoreline current breaks, rocky regions, and bridges, providing a diverse angling experience.
To sum up, the fishing atmosphere at Lake of the Woods, particularly around the southern end near River Bend Resort, has been dynamic and rewarding. Anglers have been relishing a range of techniques and abundant fishing prospects, making this zone a standout destination for those seeking a remarkable fishing adventure. Whether you are a seasoned angler or a novice looking to savor the excitement of fishing, Lake of the Woods and its neighboring areas offer a unique and special experience for all fishing enthusiasts, ensuring unforgettable moments on the water.
Thanks and remember to subscribe to both our newsletter and YouTube Channel for regular updates!
Paul Johnson – River Bend Resort
^^^ Click to Watch the Video Report! ^^^
May 15, 2004 Fishing Report for Lake of the Woods
The weather for the MN Fishing Opener weekend was amazing! Mother Nature also produced an amazing Aurora Borealis on Friday night to kick off the season. Loads of walleyes and saugers were caught, making it one of the best opening weekends ever. The top pick was a jig and frozen emerald shiner – a hit with walleyes in LOW. Other minnows did the trick too, but emerald shiners were the anglers’ fave.
Four Mile Bay was buzzing with walleyes in 12 to 18 feet – no surprise after the strong spring walleye bite on the river. Anglers even snagged walleyes on sturgeon rigs lately!
Fish were hanging out in Lighthouse Gap, Morris Point Gap, and by Pine Island in 12 to 15 feet. On the south shore, 18 to 22 feet had a good haul too. Plenty of fish to go around!
A quarter ounce jig in gold, glow white, pink, orange, or chartreuse, with a minnow, did the job well. Remember, the limit is six fish – up to four walleyes, and release those between 19.5 to 28.0 inches!
The other productive method was pulling crank baits in 9 to 12 feet of water on the north side of Pine Island. Pink and silver were the most productive colors, anglers reported.
Some cool walleyes were nabbed on the Rainy River in 10 to 15 feet, although most folks were hitting the lake. Sturgeon fishing on the river has been off the charts, with catch and release until May 15th, then keep on July 1st.
Here's What Happened on the Rainy River this Last Spring
Rainy River Fishing Reports
As the ice melts and the water opens back up, Springtime Sturgeon Season on the Rainy River becomes our focus. It’s a great time catch trophy walleye and these legendary giants.
March 11, 2024 - Rainy River Update: Ice & Open Water Report
Paul and Brandi head to the river in Baudette to provide a report on the open water. View the video for more information.
Excited to come up for some spring sturgeon fishing? Click the link below to learn more in our guide.
Here's What Happened During the Winter Ice Fishing Season
Lake of the Woods Ice Fishing Reports
Here’s your resource on what’s happening on Lake of the Woods and the Rainy River with the latest status on fishing, weather, and conditions.
March 3, 2004 - Lake of the Woods Ice Season Wrap-Up
More information is coming soon. Stay tuned!
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