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Thickening Ice is Upon Us


LakeofthewoodsMN

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On the south end... The wait for thickening ice is upon us.  This week, cold temps added to ice formation on back bays and on much of the big lake.  The ice still needs time to thicken, but is making progress.  When the time is right, resorts and outfitters will slowly and safely begin marking and grooming trails for ice travel.  

First out on the ice will be pike anglers / spearing in the shallow bays.  From there, things will progress as the ice begins to form on the lake.  Resorts will communicate about ice conditions on the ice roads and trails they are monitoring and grooming. We are not there yet.  

As a general rule, day houses are set by resorts mid December.  Sleeper fish houses get placed when ice thickens further.  Mother Nature combined with ice conditions in that given area of LOW will dictate what weight limits each individual ice outfitter gives the green light to.  Safety first.

Walleyes and saugers are in good numbers for ice anglers when the time comes.  

On the Rainy River...   With colder weather, much of the Rainy River is frozen up with areas of open water scattered throughout.  Things are progressing but it certainly needs cold weather and some time.

Just like the lake, we encourage visitors to work through a resort or outfitter for safety.

Up at the NW Angle... Bays and much of the lake are frozen up throughout the Angle.  Ice is forming nicely and is right on track for this year's ice fishing season.

Throughout the fall, walleyes were in good numbers and all indications point to good fishing when the ice is ready.

 

Modis ice image_NW Angle Edge Riders_112022.jpg

NW Angle Ice 11.30.2020.jpg

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    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the south end...   Lots of ice on the main basin, but it is definitely deteriorating.  Some anglers have been fishing the open water at the mouth of the Rainy River in front of the Lighthouse Gap.  The rest of the basin is still iced over. Pike enthusiasts caught some big pike earlier last week tip up fishing in pre-spawn areas adjacent to traditional spawning areas.  8 - 14' of water using tip ups with live suckers or dead bait such as smelt and herring has been the ticket.  Ice fishing for all practical purposes is done for the year. The focus for the basin moving forward will be pike transitioning into back bays to spawn,  This is open water fishing and an opportunity available as the pike season is open year round on Lake of the Woods. The limit is 3 pike per day with one being able to be more than 40 inches. All fish 30 - 40 inches must be released. With both the ice fishing and spring fishing on the Rainy River being so good, many are looking forward to the MN Fishing Opener on Saturday, May 11th.  It should be epic. On the Rainy River...  An absolutely incredible week of walleye and sturgeon fishing on the Rain Rainy River.     Walleye anglers, as a rule, caught good numbers of fish and lots of big fish.  This spring was one for the books.   To follow that up, the sturgeon season is currently underway and although every day can be different, many boats have caught 30 - 40 sturgeon in a day!  We have heard of fish measuring into the low 70 inch range.  Lots in the 60 - 70 inch range as well.   The sturgeon season continues through May 15th and resumes again July 1st.   Oct 1 - April 23, Catch and Release April 24 - May 7, Harvest Season May 8 - May 15, Catch and Release May 16 - June 30, Sturgeon Fishing Closed July 1 - Sep 30, Harvest Season If you fish during the sturgeon harvest season and you want to keep a sturgeon, you must purchase a sturgeon tag for $5 prior to fishing.    One sturgeon per calendar year (45 - 50" inclusive, or over 75"). Most sturgeon anglers are either a glob of crawlers or a combo of crawlers and frozen emerald shiners on a sturgeon rig, which is an 18" leader with a 4/0 circle hook combined with a no roll sinker.  Local bait shops have all of the gear and bait. Up at the NW Angle...  Open water is continuing to expand in areas with current.  The sight of open water simply is wetting the pallet of those eager for the MN Fishing Opener on May 11th.   A few locals were on the ice this week, targeting pike.  Some big slimers were iced along with some muskies as well.  If you like fishing for predators, LOW is healthy!  
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      Early bird gets the worm some say...   I have it on good authority that this very special angler caught no walleyes or muskies and that any panfish caught were released unharmed.        
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