Episodes

  • Bountiful Fishing at Lake of the Woods: Walleye, Sauger, and More Await as Deer Season Arrives

    Bountiful Fishing at Lake of the Woods: Walleye, Sauger, and More Await as Deer Season Arrives
    Nov 23 2024
    As of November 23, 2024, the fishing scene at Lake of the Woods in Minnesota is thriving despite the onset of deer hunting season. Here’s what you need to know for a successful day on the water.

    ### Weather and Sunrise/Sunset
    The weather forecast for the next couple of weeks looks favorable, with unseasonably warm temperatures that are keeping the fish active. Today, expect a sunrise around 7:30 AM and a sunset at about 4:30 PM.

    ### Fish Activity
    The walleye and sauger bite remains excellent across the lake. On the south end of Lake of the Woods, anglers are finding success in depths of 22-28 feet of water. Water temperatures are dropping, which has intensified the bite as the fish become more active with the cooling waters[1][3][5].

    ### Best Lures and Bait
    Vertical jigging with live or frozen emerald shiners is the most effective method right now. Some anglers are also having success trolling crankbaits to cover more ground and find fish. For jig colors, gold, glow white, glow red, chartreuse, orange, or pink are highly recommended, with a gold jig paired with any of these colors being a winning combination[1][2][5].

    ### Hot Spots
    - **South Shore:** Focus on areas in 22-28 feet of water. The dropping water temperatures have made this depth particularly productive for walleyes and saugers.
    - **Northwest Angle:** Points, neck-down areas with current, shoreline breaks, and transition zones from rock to mud are all productive locations. This area is traditionally a mixed bag, with walleyes, pike, jumbo perch, and crappies being caught. A jig and minnow is the most effective presentation here[1][3][5].

    ### Additional Notes
    Sturgeon fishing remains strong, especially in the Rainy River, where good numbers of shiners are present. Catch-and-release sturgeon fishing is open until the "keep season" starts on April 24th. Muskie fishing is also excellent, with both casting and trolling effective methods amongst the islands[1][3][5].

    Overall, if you're not out deer hunting, now is a great time to take advantage of the excellent fall fishing at Lake of the Woods before the ice forms.
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    3 mins
  • Fall Fishing Frenzy on Lake of the Woods: Reel in Walleye and Sauger Success

    Fall Fishing Frenzy on Lake of the Woods: Reel in Walleye and Sauger Success
    Nov 22 2024
    As of November 22, 2024, the fishing scene at Lake of the Woods in Minnesota is still thriving despite the colder weather. Here’s what you need to know for a successful day on the water.

    ### Weather and Sunrise/Sunset
    Today, expect partly cloudy skies with a high of around 40°F and a low of 25°F. Sunrise is at 7:24 AM, and sunset will be at 4:34 PM. The weather remains favorable for fall fishing.

    ### Water Conditions
    The water temperatures are in the low to mid-50s, which is ideal for active walleye and sauger bites. There are no significant tidal changes to worry about on Lake of the Woods.

    ### Fish Activity
    Walleye and sauger fishing remains excellent, especially on the south shore. Anglers are catching a good number of fish at various depths, but the sweet spot is consistently around 18 to 27 feet of water. The cooling waters have intensified the jigging action, and schools of walleyes and saugers are being found over deep muddy and sand to mud transition areas.

    ### Best Lures and Bait
    For the best results, use vertical jigging with frozen or live emerald shiners. Jig colors such as gold, gold/glow white, gold/chartreuse, gold/orange, and gold/pink are proving to be highly effective. Some anglers are also having success with trolling crankbaits, especially in the morning and evening hours.

    ### Hot Spots
    - The south shore of Lake of the Woods is a hotspot, particularly around structures and transition areas from rock to mud.
    - The Rainy River is also producing nice walleyes, especially in areas throughout Four Mile Bay.
    - Up at the NW Angle, traditional areas with structure like points, neck down areas with current, and shoreline breaks are good spots to try.

    ### Recent Catches
    Yesterday, anglers reported catching limits of walleyes and saugers, with a mix of smaller fish and some larger ones. The fish are active, and using the right lures and bait is key to a successful day.

    Get out there and enjoy the fall fishing on Lake of the Woods – it’s prime time
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    2 mins
  • Frosty Walleye Feast: Fall Fishing Thrives at Lake of the Woods, Minnesota

    Frosty Walleye Feast: Fall Fishing Thrives at Lake of the Woods, Minnesota
    Nov 21 2024
    As of November 21, 2024, the fishing scene at Lake of the Woods in Minnesota is thriving, despite the onset of colder weather. Here’s what you need to know for a successful day on the water.

    ### Weather and Sunrise/Sunset
    Today, expect partly cloudy skies with temperatures ranging from the mid-20s to mid-30s Fahrenheit. Sunrise is at 7:24 AM, and sunset will be at 4:34 PM. The weather is crisp, making it ideal for fall fishing.

    ### Fish Activity
    Walleye and sauger fishing remains excellent, with anglers reporting steady action. These fish are being found at various depths, but the sweet spot is consistently around 20 to 27 feet of water on the south shore[1][3][5].

    ### Best Lures and Bait
    For jigging, live or frozen emerald shiners are your best bet. Use jigs in colors such as gold, glow white, glow red, chartreuse, orange, or pink. A gold jig paired with any of these colors is usually a winning combination[1][3][5].

    ### Hot Spots
    - The south shore of Lake of the Woods is a hotspot, particularly around structures and transition areas from rock to mud. Utilizing sonar technology can help locate schools of walleyes and saugers in these areas[1][3].
    - Four Mile Bay is also holding some nice walleyes as they make their way in from the lake. Focus on the edges of the current and channel breaks[3].
    - Up at the NW Angle, points, neck-down areas with some current, and transition areas from rock to mud are good spots to target walleyes[3].

    ### Tidal Report
    Lake of the Woods is a freshwater lake, so there are no tidal changes to consider.

    ### Recent Catches
    Yesterday, anglers reported catching a mix of small and larger walleyes, along with saugers. The fish are active due to the cooler water temperatures, which are now in the low to mid-50s[1][3][5].

    Overall, it's a great time to be on Lake of the Woods, with plenty of fish to be caught. Just remember to dress warmly and take advantage of the excellent fall fishing conditions.
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    2 mins
  • Thriving Fishing Scene at Lake of the Woods - What to Know for Successful Autumn Fishing

    Thriving Fishing Scene at Lake of the Woods - What to Know for Successful Autumn Fishing
    Nov 17 2024
    As of November 17, 2024, the fishing scene at Lake of the Woods in Minnesota is thriving despite the cooler autumn weather. Here’s what you need to know for a successful day on the water.

    ### Weather and Conditions
    The weather is expected to be relatively stable, with temperatures ranging from the mid-30s to mid-40s Fahrenheit. Sunrise is at around 7:30 AM, and sunset will be approximately at 4:30 PM. Water temperatures have stabilized, with surface temperatures between 51-54 degrees Fahrenheit.

    ### Fish Activity
    Walleye and sauger fishing remains excellent, with many anglers reporting limits of both species. The fall fishing on Lake of the Woods is in full swing, and the Rainy River is also producing good catches. In addition to walleyes and saugers, anglers are catching jumbo perch, pike, and crappies.

    ### Best Lures and Bait
    For walleyes and saugers, vertical jigging with frozen or live emerald shiners is highly effective. Jigs in colors such as gold, gold-glow white, gold-chartreuse, gold-orange, and gold-pink are working well. Lindy rigs with minnows ranging from 4-6 inches are also producing good results, especially on the outside weed edge or off the deeper breaks. For muskie fishing, dragging large minnows on bobbers along the weed edge or using big rubber lures to cover more ground is recommended.

    ### Hot Spots
    The south end of Lake of the Woods is a hot spot, particularly around traditional areas with structure like points, neck-down areas with current, shoreline breaks, and transition areas from rock to mud. The Northwest Angle is also seeing great action, with walleyes being found around similar structured areas. The Rainy River is another prime location, especially as the river's fishing continues to improve.

    ### Additional Tips
    Being flexible with your fishing techniques and locations can pay dividends. If you're fishing on a charter or with a guide, they will help adjust your approach to put you on fish. For those fishing on their own, keep an eye on the weather and adjust your presentations accordingly.

    Overall, now is an excellent time to head to Lake of the Woods for some fantastic fall fishing. With the right gear and a bit of flexibility, you're likely to have a productive and enjoyable day on the water.
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    3 mins
  • Late Fall Fishing Frenzy at Lake of the Woods

    Late Fall Fishing Frenzy at Lake of the Woods
    Nov 16 2024
    As of November 16, 2024, the fishing scene at Lake of the Woods in Minnesota is quite active, despite the late fall season.

    ### Weather and Conditions
    The weather has been unseasonably warm, but water temperatures are dropping, currently in the low to mid-50s. This cooling trend has made the fish more active, especially the walleyes and saugers. Sunrise today is at around 7:30 AM, and sunset will be at about 4:30 PM.

    ### Fish Activity
    Walleye and sauger fishing remains excellent on the south shore of Lake of the Woods. Anglers are finding success in various depths, but the sweet spot is consistently around 20 to 27 feet of water. The fish are gathering over deep muddy and sand to mud transition areas, making sonar technology particularly useful for locating them.

    ### Catches
    Yesterday, anglers reported catching good numbers of walleyes and saugers. There were plenty of keepers and some bigger walleyes in the mix as well. The protected slot for walleyes, which must be immediately released, is between 19.5 and 28 inches, but anglers are allowed to possess one trophy walleye over 28 inches.

    ### Best Lures and Bait
    For the best results, use live or frozen emerald shiners while jigging. Gold jigs paired with glow white, glow red, chartreuse, orange, or pink are highly effective. Anchoring your boat and jigging from the side has been a successful tactic.

    ### Hot Spots
    One of the hot spots is the area extending from Pine Island to Long Point, where anglers have been successfully jigging with frozen emerald shiners. Another productive area is the deep mud flats in the mid-lake basin, where schools of walleyes and saugers are holding. Bars and smaller, isolated humps have also accounted for some of the best catches.

    Overall, it's a great time to be on the water at Lake of the Woods, with plenty of fish to be caught and beautiful fall scenery to enjoy[2][3][4].
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    2 mins
  • Thriving Fall Fishing on Minnesota's Lake of the Woods - Walleyes, Saugers, and More Biting in the Cooler Temps

    Thriving Fall Fishing on Minnesota's Lake of the Woods - Walleyes, Saugers, and More Biting in the Cooler Temps
    Nov 15 2024
    As of November 15, 2024, the fishing scene at Lake of the Woods in Minnesota is thriving, despite the cooler temperatures.

    ### Weather and Water Conditions
    The water temperatures have dropped significantly, which has the fish actively biting. Yesterday, the area experienced a mix of cloudy and sunny skies with temperatures ranging from the mid-30s to the mid-40s Fahrenheit. The cooler water temps, now in the 40s, have the walleyes and saugers snapping.

    ### Sunrise and Sunset
    Sunrise was at around 7:15 AM, and sunset is expected at about 4:45 PM, providing a good window for both morning and evening fishing.

    ### Fish Activity
    Walleye and sauger fishing remains excellent, with many anglers reporting success across various parts of the lake. The fish are active, particularly during the morning and evening hours. On the South End, jigging with frozen or live emerald shiners has been the most effective method. Anglers are also having success pulling spinners and trolling crankbaits, especially in the 15 to 25 feet of water range.

    ### Best Lures and Bait
    For jigging, gold, glow white, glow red, chartreuse, orange, and pink jig colors are highly recommended. Combining gold with any of these colors often yields good results. Emerald shiners, whether frozen or live, are the go-to bait for walleyes.

    ### Hot Spots
    - **The Rainy River**: This area continues to improve with more walleyes moving in each week. Good fish are being caught in many sections of the river, particularly during the morning and evening hours.
    - **Four Mile Bay**: This bay is holding some nice walleyes as they make their way in from the lake. Focus on the edge of the current and channel breaks.
    - **NW Angle**: Here, walleyes are keying in on areas with structure such as points, neck-down areas with current, and transition areas from rock to mud.

    Overall, the fall fishing on Lake of the Woods is in full swing, and with the right lures and bait, anglers are catching a variety of species including walleyes, saugers, crappies, pike, and even the occasional sturgeon.
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    3 mins
  • Lake of the Woods Fall Fishing Thriving Despite Late Season Conditions

    Lake of the Woods Fall Fishing Thriving Despite Late Season Conditions
    Nov 14 2024
    As of November 14, 2024, the fishing scene at Lake of the Woods in Minnesota is thriving despite the late fall season.

    ### Weather and Water Conditions
    The weather has been unseasonably warm, which has kept the water temperatures relatively stable. Surface water temperatures are currently ranging between 51-54 degrees Fahrenheit, ideal for fall fishing. The days are getting shorter, with sunrise at around 7:20 AM and sunset at about 4:40 PM.

    ### Fish Activity
    Walleye and sauger fishing remains excellent, with many anglers reporting limits of fish. These species are actively biting, particularly on the outside weed edge or off the deeper breaks. Green standing weeds in the shallower waters and structural areas like points, neck-down areas with current, and shoreline breaks are hot spots.

    ### Types and Amounts of Fish
    Yesterday saw a strong catch of walleyes, saugers, jumbo perch, pike, and crappies. Muskie fishing is also going strong, with big muskies over 50 inches being caught and released. Vertical jigging with live or frozen emerald shiners has been highly effective, along with using Lindy rigs with minnows ranging from 4-6 inches.

    ### Best Lures and Bait
    For walleyes and saugers, a jig and minnow combination is a staple. Good jig colors include gold, gold-glow white, gold-chartreuse, gold-orange, and gold-pink. For muskies, dragging large minnows on bobbers or using big rubber lures to cover more ground has been successful.

    ### Hot Spots
    The South Shore and the Rainy River are prime areas right now. At the Northwest Angle, traditional areas with structure such as points, neck-down areas with current, and shoreline breaks are producing good numbers of fish. The outside weed edge and deeper breaks in these areas are also worth targeting.

    ### Additional Tips
    Being flexible with your fishing approach pays dividends. Adjust your presentation based on the day's conditions, and don't hesitate to move to different spots to find the most active fish.

    Overall, Lake of the Woods is offering fantastic fall fishing opportunities, and now is an excellent time to head up and experience it for yourself.
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    3 mins
  • "Fall Fishing Frenzy at Lake of the Woods: Walleyes, Saugers, and More"

    "Fall Fishing Frenzy at Lake of the Woods: Walleyes, Saugers, and More"
    Nov 10 2024
    As of November 10, 2024, the fishing scene at Lake of the Woods in Minnesota is thriving, especially with the fall season in full swing. Here’s what you need to know for a successful day on the water.

    ### Weather and Sunrise/Sunset
    The weather is expected to be cool, with daytime temperatures in the mid-40s to low 50s and nighttime temperatures dipping into the mid-30s. Sunrise is at around 7:15 AM, and sunset will be at approximately 4:45 PM.

    ### Water Conditions
    Water temperatures have cooled down significantly, ranging from the low to mid-50s, which is ideal for fall fishing. There are no significant tidal changes to worry about on Lake of the Woods, as it is a freshwater lake.

    ### Fish Activity
    Walleye and sauger fishing remains excellent, with anglers catching good numbers of fish across various depths. On the south end of the lake, fish are being found in depths of 20 to 27 feet, particularly around areas like Lighthouse Gap, Morris Point, Zippel Bay, and Long Point[1][4][5].

    ### Best Lures and Bait
    For walleyes and saugers, vertical jigging with live or frozen emerald shiners is highly effective. Recommended jig colors include gold, glow white, glow red, chartreuse, orange, and pink, with gold combined with any of these colors often being a winning combination[1][4][5].

    ### Other Species
    In addition to walleyes and saugers, anglers are also catching jumbo perch, pike, crappies, smallmouth bass, and muskies. The Rainy River is producing nice fish as well, including walleyes, and is a great option for smaller boats or when it's windy[1][3][5].

    ### Hot Spots
    - **South End**: Focus on areas like Lighthouse Gap, Morris Point, Zippel Bay, and Long Point for excellent walleye and sauger action.
    - **Rainy River**: This is a great spot for smaller boats and offers a mix of walleyes, pike, and other species.
    - **NW Angle**: This area is known for its multi-species action, with walleyes, pike, jumbo perch, crappies, and muskies being caught around points, neck down areas with current, and shoreline breaks[1][3][5].

    Overall, Lake of the Woods is offering some of the best fall fishing you can find, with a variety of species and plenty of action to keep you busy throughout the day.
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    3 mins