River Bend Resort’s Lake of The Woods ice fishing report January 26, 2023. Our ice guides are working hard to keep guests over the big schools of fish. We have moved our fleet four and half miles out in front of Pine Island hugging the Canadian border. Fishing over 30 – 32 feet of water. Every River Bend Resort icehouse limited out yesterday.
A mixed bag of walleye, sauger, tullibees, eelpout, and jumbo perch has been consistent. An occasional white fish or crappie also has been put on the ice. Though the bite is still strong, we are finding that moving to smaller jigs has been the ticket for getting through the smaller fish and into larger slot fish. Technique remains the tried and true “one two punch” of a jigging line and dead stick.
As we enter the mid part of our ice season, remember that electronics are most helpful for both locating the fish and watching how they are reacting to what you are showing them. On your jigging set up, use rattle spoons tipped with a minnow. Don’t be afraid to shake that up with only the head or only the tail and at times the entire minnow.
In addition to the rattle spoons we are hearing reports that rip raps as well as a simple jig head and minnow are working quite nicely. Drop that presentation into the mud and work it up to 6 inches to a foot off the bottom. Stick to pink, red, gold and glow colors.
Also, multicolored jig heads – blue/white, white/pink or any combination of blue, pink, and white. And don’t count out anything that looks like a crawfish – so a brown/orange combination should entice a bite. If you find the fish getting tight lipped, move to a smaller jig.
Another technique we just learned about is using a lipless crankbait with rattles to not only pull fish in, but to induce some reaction bites.
On the dead stick, use a plain red hook and minnow. Also using a No. 8 sized crappie glow jig with a whole minnow is working on the dead stick. This is where you pay attention to the electronics… some anglers are reporting the dead stick performing at 6 inches off the bottom while others contend the dead stick needs to be much higher in the water column as this is where the larger walleye and tullibee will be hanging. Again, trust what you are seeing on your electronics.
While using or moving to the smaller jigs, I was given a tip from one of our ice guides. Instead of using part of or the entire minnow, pinch the head off the minnow just behind the gills – rubbing your thumb and fingers together. Rub your newly scented fingers all over the jig and put it down without the actual minnow – just the scented jig. I’m told it works. Give it a try.
Big Sales Event – River Bend Resort is offering the following Sales:
#1) A very generous mid-week sale. When you book a mid-week ice package (Sunday – Thursday) at either the Walleye Inn or River Bend Resort, you will receive 10% off fishing only packages and 15% off all-inclusive packages.
#2) Sleeper sale on our sleeper ice houses 1 – 4. Fishing is on fire right now. What a better way to experience Lake of The Woods ice fishing while saving some money! As low as $93.50 per person per day.
#3) Mid – Week Cabin ONLY rentals available!! For the DIY’rs we provide the lodging and point you in the right direction … you do the rest. We will even clean your fish for you!
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. 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. In addition, we do offer online booking for those who wish to do so. We are a simple phone call or “click” away from getting you set up and fishing with us on beautiful Lake of The Woods.
Photo Contest Winner: Joshua Kvernen, shows off a 29″ trophy walleye he caught while fishing with us last week! Congratulations Joshua!!! PS .. Nice Crappie!!!
Until next week … Keep a Tight Line! Bugs & Fishes ≤º))~{
