12.8.20 Sunset Lodge Fishing & Ice Report - NW Angle of LOW
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Sunset Lodge,
in Lake of the Woods Fishing Reports - Hunting - Events
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By LakeofthewoodsMN
On the south end... Pike anglers catching fish in back bays. Deadbait on a quick strike rig under a bobber, spoons, spinnerbaits and crankbaits are the go to presentations. The pike season is open year-round on LOW and the Rainy River.
The pike limit is 3 fish per day, 30-40 inches must be released, one over 40" allowed. Most practice catch and release with a nice photo on big fish, and there are a lot of big pike being caught.
On the Rainy River... Sturgeon anglers looking to keep a sturgeon have through May 7th. After that catch and release kicks in again. Catch and release 5/8/21 - 5/15/21. Closed 5/16/21 - 6/30/21. Harvest season, 7/1/21 - 9/30/21.
A 3-5 ounce no-roll sinker combined with a sturgeon rig (18" snell of 60 lb test with a 4/0 or 5/0 circle hook) with a glob of crawlers, frozen emerald shiners or both is the most common setup.
Good numbers of fish, all size ranges, being caught. Sturgeon have been active.
Up at the NW Angle... A few anglers fishing pike in back bays but most looking forward to the May 15th fishing opener. The go to walleye spots come the opener will be shoreline and island structure and underwater points. The technique, a jig and a minnow!
With the Canada border still closed, there are many ways to get up to the Angle. The LOW Passenger Service, charter boat shuttle service from the south end, is open and running. If you have the right boat and expertise, boating across is an option. And finally, Lake Country Air flying service, a float plane service out of Baudette and other locations.
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By CJH
Anybody been out or heard any water temps on the Le Homme Dieu Chain? The weather has been so up and down, kind of curious where they are at.
Thanks much!!
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By LakeofthewoodsMN
On the south end... Most attention right now is with sturgeon and pike with anglers looking forward to the May 15th walleye opener. The pike season is open year-round on LOW and the Rainy River. Backwater areas and back bays are all over LOW and the Rainy River and are where pike are being caught. Deadbait on a quick strike rig under a bobber, spoons, spinnerbaits and crankbaits are all working.
The pike limit is 3 fish per day, 30-40 inches must be released, one over 40" allowed. Most practice catch and release with a nice photo on big fish, and there are a lot of big pike being caught.
On the Rainy River... Sturgeon fishing is in full swing and fishing is good. Now through May 7th is the sturgeon harvest season (45-50", or over 75") Catch and release 5/8/21 - 5/15/21. Closed 5/16/21 - 6/30/21. Harvest season, 7/1/21 - 9/30/21.
A 3-5 ounce no-roll sinker combined with a sturgeon rig (18" snell of 60 lb test with a 4/0 or 5/0 circle hook) with a glob of crawlers, frozen emerald shiners or both is the ticket. Local bait shops / resorts have rigs and bait available.
Find a deeper spot or hole in a stretch of the river, anchor up and still fish the bottom. Your bait sends a scent trail the sturgeon will find! Some huge sturgeon being caught in excess of 70 inches.
Up at the NW Angle... The NW Angle is ice free and everyone is looking forward to the May 15th fishing opener. There are many ways to access Angle resorts. The LOW Passenger Service, charter boat shuttle service from the south end, is open and running. If you have the right boat and expertise, boating across is an option. And finally, Lake Country Air flying service, a float plane service out of Baudette and other locations. A complete list of lodging and fishing packages available in Baudette, on the Rainy River, around Lake of the Woods and up at the NW Angle at www.fishingminnesota.com/Lodging
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By LakeofthewoodsMN
On the south end... Lake of the Woods is ice free! Walleye anglers are looking ahead to the MN Fishing Opener on May 15th. Based on the big fish in the Rainy River this spring, there is a lot of excitement!
The pike season is open year-round on LOW and the Rainy River. Backwater areas and back bays are where pike spawning activity is taking place. The pike limit is 3 fish per day, 30-40 inches must be released, one over 40" allowed. Most practice catch and release with a nice photo on big fish, and there are a lot of big pike being caught.
On the Rainy River... The spring walleye season closed with good success. Despite varying clarity and some spring rains pushing debris into the water, hearty walleye anglers still pulled some very good fish last week. Now looking toward the walleye opener.
Sturgeon fishing this past week was excellent. Sturgeon of all sizes being caught which bodes well for the health of the fishery which is very strong. Sturgeon catch and release season through 4/23/21. Keep season 4/24/21 - 5/7/21, (45-50", or over 75") Catch and release 5/8/21 - 5/15/21. Closed 5/16/21 - 6/30/21. Harvest season, 7/1/21 - 9/30/21.
A 4-6 ounce no-roll sinker combined with a sturgeon rig (18" snell of 60 lb test with a 4/0 or 5/0 circle hook) with a glob of crawlers, frozen emerald shiners or both is the ticket. Local bait shops / resorts have rigs and bait available.
Find a deeper spot or hole in a stretch of the river, anchor up and still fish the bottom. Your bait sends a scent trail the sturgeon will find!
Up at the NW Angle... The NW Angle is ice free and everyone is looking forward to the May 15th fishing opener. There are many ways to access Angle resorts. The LOW Passenger Service, charter boat shuttle service from the south end, is open and running. If you have the right boat and expertise, boating across is an option. And finally, Lake Country Air flying service, a float plane service out of Baudette and other locations.
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By SkunkedAgain
The Timberjay recently had a typical article about the Hatchery in operation in Pike Bay. It reminded me that they did not strip eggs last year due to Covid, and there was some discussion about how this would affect the lake's walleye population. I did a little digging last night into the annual growth of walleye in Vermilion and found that it takes somewhere in the 3-4 year range to reach eater-size range. That means that the "covid experiment" won't be real noticeable until the end of this season when walleye start reaching double-digits in length but most likely 2022 when those walleye are in the 10-14 inch range.
From the Lake Vermilion Fisheries Management Plan (https://files.dnr.state.mn.us/publications/fisheries/special_reports/183.pdf
Besides abundance, differences between walleye captured in East and West Vermilion are most evident in age and size structure. Overall, walleye in West Vermilion tend to grow faster and live longer than walleye in the east basin. For example, by age-5, walleye captured in East Vermilion average about 16 inches compared to 18 inches in West Vermilion. Walleye on Lake Vermilion can survive to age-8 or older, however older walleye (age-7+) tend to be more abundant in West Vermilion.
I figure that Lake of the Woods is similar in latitude to Vermilion, so probably similar growth rates.
From the Lake Of The Woods section of the DNR website: (https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/areas/fisheries/baudette/low_walleye.html#:~:text=Generally%2C walleye in Lake of,male walleye are sexually mature.
Generally, walleye in Lake of the Woods reach 12 inches long when they are three years old. Male walleye start to mature when they are 12 inches long, 3 years old, but it is not until they are 16 inches long, 5 years old, that all male walleye are sexually mature. Male walleye longer than 24 inches are extremely rare.
Female walleye grow faster than male walleye, after they are three years old. Female walleye start to mature when they are 4 years old, 15 inches long, but all of them are not sexually mature until they are 7 years old, 20 inches long. Generally, female walleye which are 25 inches long are about 10 years old, and 30 inch females are in the range of 20 years old. The oldest Lake of the Woods walleye we have aged was a 23 year old female which was 30.3 inches long.
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By BigTrucka
Hey all, just moved back to MN where I grew up after living in the PNW for a long while. I became addicted to fishing rivers and streams out there and have started to check out the offerings in the NW section of the state as of yesterday’s opener. Wondering if anyone has experience in this area and can give me some pointers or just tell me if I’m wasting my time since that’s what I’m wondering right now since I didn’t find any signs of fish. I’m using a spinning rod with Mepp’s and Panther Martin style spinners and went through a bunch of color combos. I started yesterday morning at the Clearwater River in western Beltrami County essentially on the border with Clearwater County where the state has some land and a pretty lengthy easement. Probably a well known area. Beautiful area to walk through. Found multiple holes, but yeah no fish at all. I waded for a bit and decided to leave. I went south since I live closer to Moorhead and stopped at Felton Creek. I’ve read a DNR study about this creek having a decreasing population of fish, but it’s still considered a trout stream although not “designated”. I understand the channelization of creeks in this region ruined fish habitat over the last 100 years, but still find some DNR material as of the last 5 years that reference Felton Creek as a spot for trout. Walked the stream for a bit before I left and headed to Lawndale Creek south of Barnesville. I waded through the AMA on the Atherton WMA expecting to find some brook trout since the DNR has stocked it as of at least 2017. Nothing through the entire stretch besides frogs and minnows. Are there actually fish in these places? The Clearwater and Lawndale are designated trout streams. The Clearwater is stocked annually and Lawndale is supposed to have wild brook trout. Anyone have any experience in these spots? Should’ve just drove down MN200 & 71 to the obvious spots in Becker/Hubbard?
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By SkunkedAgain
Someone had to kick things off.
I caught some shrimp at the grocery store over the weekend. I'm hoping to see some spawning walleye this weekend. Who knows where they will be in a month when we are all allowed to actually fish for them!
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By walleye345
Hello I am looking for a weight system to help me catch more fish. I am torn between Snakebite Snaps and Offshore Snap Weights. They are 2 very different clips. Anyone know anything about either? Was looking to grab some here soon.
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By Coleman
Has anyone been on the water of areas lakes? Kinda curious what the water temps are hovering around?
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By LakeofthewoodsMN
On the south end... The lake is still ice covered with big stretches of open water which is expanding daily. Anglers fishing the lake are fishing in front of the Lighthouse Gap where the Rainy River enters LOW. Anglers are allowed a limit of walleyes and saugers on the lake, but catch and release only on Four Mile Bay and the Rainy River during the spring walleye season which lasts through April 14. The walleye season opens again on May 15th.
Pike Fishing. Open water is available in the back bays such as various Four Mile Bay, Bostic Creek, Zippel Bay and backwaters on the Rainy River where pike spawn. Some nice pike being caught in shallow water areas. These areas are off of the main lake and perfect for small boats. The pike season is open year round on LOW and the Rainy River. 3 fish per day, 30-40 inches must be released, one over 40" allowed.
On the Rainy River... This past week was nothing short of incredible for walleye fishing on the Rainy River. Large numbers of big walleyes were caught and released. Many fish 30 - 33+ inches in the mix. Exactly why anglers love the Rainy River in the spring.
Good reports up and down the river including Four Mile Bay.
A 3/8 - 1/2 ounce jig is working nicely tipped with a minnow or a plastic. Bright plastics and frozen shiners working best on jigs. Some anglers trolling crankbaits with success to cover water.
Sturgeon fishing continues to be good with good numbers of sturgeon being caught. Most anglers targeting holes in the river. Some sturgeon being caught on rolling sand dunes with fish laying in the depressions. Wherever there is food and a bit of slacker water!
With lower current, a 3 ounce no-roll sinker combined with a sturgeon rig (18" snell of 60 lb test with a 4/0 or 5/0 circle hook) with a glob of crawlers, frozen emerald shiners or both is the ticket. Local bait shops have rigs and bait available.
Up at the NW Angle... Locals are able to get their boats from the mainland (Angle Inlet) to most areas of the islands. Looking ahead to open water, there are various ways to travel to the NW Angle this summer without crossing the border. If you have the right boat and expertise, boating across is an option. There is also the Lake of the Woods Passenger Service (charter boat shuttle to Angle). And finally, Lake Country Air flying service, a float plane service out of Baudette and other locations.
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Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)
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By delcecchi · Posted
Didn't Casey have some health issues? Anyone who wants to follow me around the lake is welcome to... -
By JerkinLips · Posted
I believe Cliff retired from guiding, Casey quit guiding, and Mark B left the state. Maybe forum posters are getting tired of others following them on the lake. -
By CigarGuy · Posted
I'm going to have to start following you around😀. Look out for the guy with binoculars checking out your fish catching system and marking those spots on my gps😀😀😀. I know your ice house spot!!! I didn't see you out there in the winter, wanted to stop by and say hello!! -
By Raven77 · Posted
I don't have any problems catching walleyes on the west end but keep the myth alive. 😄 -
By SkunkedAgain · Posted
Ace too. There were a few others I can't remember. I don't know specifically what happened, but I think some people get too into the forums especially on the politics side. Then someone gets their feelings hurt and the swear off a forum and move on. Oh well. I still like the rest of you! -
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