Dog Days of Summer on Lake of the Woods

[LakeofthewoodsMN]

On the south end...   The Dog Days of summer are a popular time on Lake of the Woods.  Walleyes can be tough on bodies of water with significant weed growth and millions of emerging perch and other baitfish.  This is when LOW shines.

 

Huge schools of walleyes and saugers are set up over the deep mud in 28 - 35 feet of water.  Anglers are catching good numbers of fish using a few different techniques.

 

Most anglers are using spinners and crawlers.   A two hook crawler harness with a spinner blade colored in gold, gold / pink, pink, orange, glow red, glow white, or a combo of these colors working well.

 

Crawler harness tip.  Pinch off the long tail off the back of your crawler to just 2 or 3 inches off the back hook.  This adds scent but most importantly and catches more walleyes.  Walleyes will still hit the presentation and when they grab the crawler, they will have the last hook in their mouth.

 

Trolling crankbaits is extremely effective.  With so many walleyes spread out over the miles and miles of mud over Big Traverse Bay, covering water and putting your lure in front of thousands of walleyes works well also.  

 

Some anglers are still catching their walleyes anchoring up over schools of walleyes and saugers jigging with a frozen emerald shiner. 

 

Various rock reefs that come out of the mud in areas of the lake are also holding some fish.  Some days, fish are on top.  This time of year, the transition from rock to mud is a go to spot.

On the Rainy River...  The flow of water on the Rainy River continues to decrease as do river levels.  Clarity is good as is the fishing.

 

Sturgeon anglers continue to report good summer dinosaur fishing.  This fish with strong prehistoric roots are being caught soaking crawlers and shiners.  A no roll sinker, sturgeon rig (18 inches of 60 lb test with a circle hook) with a glob of crawlers or combo of crawlers and shiners are catching fish.  Fish can be caught all day, but evenings and even after dark has been especially good.

 

Walleye anglers are covering water trolling spinners / crawlers or crankbaits upstream covering water.  If you find a school of walleyes, anchoring or spot locking with a jig and minnow will be effective.   

 

Smallmouth bass on the Rainy River do not receive the attention they deserve with the walleyes and sturgeon, but bass are up and down the river.  Rocky areas, current breaks, bridges with associated rip rap are all go to areas.  

Up at the NW Angle...  The walleye fishing is strong in this area.  A 3/8 ounce jig with a minnow or plastic is effective with so much structure.  Some guides use jigs in these parts all year long.  

 

This time of year, fish start relating to sunken islands and even areas of mud just off the rocks.  In this case, drifting or trolling crawler harnesses and trolling crankbaits covers water and is catching nice fish.

 

There are fish being found in various depths in 15-33'.  This is a big range, but consider the many different forage walleyes capitalize on.  In addition, fluctuations in cold fronts and water temps will push fish to different areas.

Walleye anglers in these parts also catch perch, crappies, pike, bass and even muskies while targeting walleyes.