River Bend Resort Lake of The Woods MN Ice Fishing Report January 5, 2023. Northern Minnesota’s ice fishing season is officially in full swing. The ice roads are all groomed and marked, and the frigid weather continues to make more ice daily.
With nearly 2 feet of ice, it’s reported that 1-ton vehicles are now being allowed out. However please check with the ice road operators and resorts prior to driving out. Due to the varying and ever-changing conditions that mother nature likes to toss out, it’s always a good idea to get the latest reports and directions for safety’s sake.
Reports from across all the southern end of the lake are great. Walleye and sauger continue to top the list of what’s being landed.
The mixed bag bite continues with walleye, sauger, eelpout, jumbo perch, pike, and sturgeon all being caught. Sorting through walleyes to pick away at the eaters is the norm with slot fish (19.5 – 28.0 inches) and trophy walleyes (over 28 inches) also being caught.
Saugers of all sizes are being caught. There are a nice number of eater sized fish in the lake providing nice action for a good fish fry. But sorting through the future keepers is also part of the day.
Our fleet has made a few moves over the past couple of weeks. Currently we are approximately 3 miles out in front of Pine Island in 25 – 32 feet of water. Our plowed road is the closest to the Canadian border. Lots of bait fish are showing up on the electronics and we are continuing to land many fish daily with quite a few slot fish.
Traditional Lake of The Woods jig colors continue to dominate. Gold, glow (red, pink & green), white and yellow – also orange has been producing. All tipped with a live or frozen minnow.
One technique that we are finding the most effective while using the old “one-two punch” of a jigging rig and dead stick. Call them in with rattle spoons on your jigging set up – and let your live minnow on the dead stick do the rest. Rattle spoons are putting lots of fish on the ice currently.
Jig with your favorite jigging spoon tipped with a minnow head or tail. In many cases, smaller presentations, such as 1/8-ounce lures are working the best.
On cloudy days, the glow colors have been working the best. On sunny or brighter days, the shinier colors such as gold and silver have been working well. A combo of colors is also effective.
On the dead stick, a live minnow on a small jig or plain hook 1 – 2 feet off the bottom has been landing ‘Em. Fish will rise off the bottom typically to grab the minnow.
We are only days away from the start of our mid-week booking specials. Beginning on January 9th when you book a mid-week ice package (Sunday – Thursday) with us at either the Walleye Inn or at River Bend Resort, you will receive 10% off fishing only packages and 15% off all-inclusive packages.
Book your ice fishing trip now! Don’t wait! River Bend Resort can set you up easily with just one call to our booking agents. The only thing missing is you.
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.
We also offer online booking for those who wish to do so. You are a simple phone call or click away from getting all set up and fishing with us on beautiful Lake of The Woods.
Until next week … Keep a Tight Line! Bugs & Fishes ≤º))~{
