Prime Fishing on Lake of the Woods

[LakeofthewoodsMN]

On the south end...   Summer fishing is prime time right now up at Lake of the Woods.  Good numbers of walleyes being caught.  A nice variety of sizes, which bodes well for the fishery.  Small fish, eaters, slot fish which must be released (19.5 - 28.0 inches) and trophy walleyes over 28 inches all in the mix.  

 

The mud is holding big numbers of fish and two main fishing techniques are being used to get it done.

The first technique is drifting or trolling crawler harnesses.  Using a two ounce bottom bouncer and a two snelled spinner will do the trick.  Best spinner colors have been gold, gold/pink, orange/chartreuse.  

 

Making sure your weight is near the bottom, but not dragging the bottom is key.  Try to maintain a 45 degree angle and make sure the spinner is spinning, normally 1.0 - 1.3 mph.  Walleyes will load up, almost feeling like you are dragging a wet sock.  A good feeling!

 

The second technique catching good numbers of walleyes is trolling crankbaits over the mud basin.  To get crankbaits down to schools of fish normally in that 28 - 32' range, lead core line, snap weights, downriggers and even a 4 ounce bottom bouncer with 6' mono or fluorocarbon leader with shallow diving crankbait will work well.

 

Most popular depths on the mud are 30'-36' of water over the mud basin.  Not every walleye in the lake is focusing on the same forage base.  There has also been success in that 12-20' range over sand and even shallower along shore.  

 

Reefs can be their own ecosystem and can always hold fish.  Fish can be on top, sides, on the rock to mud transition or even adjacent to reef out in the mud.  Go fishing, watch electronics.

On the Rainy River...  With drier weather, the flow of water is decreasing on the Rainy River.  Water clarity has improved and so has fishing.  

 

Most are targeting the edges of the main current where water is slower moving.  Points, bridges, underwater structure, docks and bends in the river can all change current flow, creating good spots for fish to live.

Jigs, spinners and crankbaits are all catching fish.  There are 42 miles of navigable Rainy River with literally thousands of fun spots to fish.

The sturgeon season is open.  Some nice fish were caught this week.  Anchor up on a hole or adjacent to a hole in the river and soak some nightcrawlers.  Local tackle shops have flat no roll sinkers and sturgeon rigs.  

 

There is a big population of smallmouth bass in the Rainy River.  Although they don't receive much attention due to walleyes, they are abundant.

Up at the NW Angle...  Great walleye fishing is the rule of thumb using three techniques, jigging, trolling spinners and trolling crankbaits.  

 

Reports of walleyes sliding deeper off of structure.  If fishing a "spot on a spot", jigging is the preferred method.  If fish are spread out or you are searching a flat, spinners and crankbaits will cover more water and walleyes are normally cooperative.  

Some big pike caught again this week.  These predators are often hanging around schools of walleyes and saugers, but rocky points, bays and sunken islands are great spots as well.

Muskie anglers continue reporting good success fishing a variety of structure amongst the islands.