Lake of The Woods, MN Ice Fishing Report December 29, 2022. Last week was an awesome week of fishing. Many slot and trophy walleye were caught. The ice conditions have reached the point that half-ton trucks pulling up to 22’ foot fish houses, ¾ ton & one-ton trucks pulling up to 18 foot fish houses are being allowed out. Continue to check with the resorts and please keep to the marked roads and trails for your safety.
What is Being Caught
Walleye and sauger are topping the list. And not just the smaller sorting fish that were reported last week. Many slot walleye (19.5” – 28”) have been caught, photo’d, and returned. And still many trophy walleye have made the books over this past week. Sorting continues. Which is great for the daily fish fry. Also is a strong indicator of a healthy brood stock for the future of our great fishery. Anglers are still reporting over 50 fish a day. The mix bag of fish being caught has been walleye, sauger, (big) eelpout, jumbo perch, northern pike, and sturgeon.
Where to Fish
The River Bend Resort fleet is set over 22 to 32 feet of water straight out in front of Pine Island about a mile. The action is staying strong along the entire southern shoreline. Schools of fish are being found throughout the water column however the best bite remains on the bottom. Reports are coming in that the historic evening bite closer to shore in 10 to 15 feet of water is beginning to happen – but it’s been hit or miss.
How to Fish
One jigging setup and one dead stick setup continues to land the catch. For the jigging rod set up, go-to jig head colors are gold, glow colors, lighted lures, rattling lures, and spoons. Some days the rattle really works and on other days… not so much. So be willing to change it up as needed. All tipped with a frozen minnow or pieces of the minnow (just the head or tail). Your dead stick setup is as easy as a plain red hook and a live minnow. Don’t touch it. Let he live minnow do the work for you. The best presentation is inches to a foot off the bottom. Trust your flasher. You never know when a big walleye will come from higher up in the water column.
River Bend Resort can set you up with just one call to our booking agents. We offer a variety of ice fishing packages that will suit any level of ice fishing experience and will fit any budget. You can find our offerings as well as pricing by clicking this link. What You Need – Everything in One Call – The only thing missing is you! Early ice is where the magic happens on Lake of The Woods. Book Now.
We will be running a mid-week package special after January 9th, 2023. Pick any River Bend Resort or Walleye Inn ice fishing package, then choose any mid-week dates (Sun – Thursday) and receive a 10% discount. If you add a meal plan to your package, you will receive a 15% discount off the listed package price. This offer may not be used with any other discount. Minimum number of guest requirements must also be met to receive this special offer.
Photo Contest Weekly Winner!!!
Congratulations goes out to Jen and Jackie Hiltner of St. Joseph MN!! (our featured photo for this fishing report) They both made the grade – Jackie with a 20” (released) and Jen with a 17” walleye. Congratulations ladies – we will be contacting you soon with your prize information.
Until next week … Keep a Tight Line! Bugs & Fishes ≤º))~{
