MN (Lake of the Woods, Roseau)

Lake of the Woods Fishing

WATER CLARITY: 4/10

What you need to know about fishing Lake of the Woods

At nearly 1700 square miles of surface area and 25,000 miles of shoreline, Lake of the Woods is a giant freshwater lake that straddles the border of the United States and Canada. Anglers fish Lake of the Woods year-round while targeting a number of species including perch, crappie, walleye, northern pike, and muskie. The lake supports both high numbers of each of these species as well as trophy sizes by any standard. While fish are spawning in shallower depths near one of the 14,552 islands they can be caught with slow presentations and simple jig and minnow techniques in the cold water. When targeting walleyes in the spring we recommend the Mack’s Smile Blade back trolled behind a bottom bouncer with lead core. The shape of this unique blade will activate at slower speeds than other blades. Walleye will move to deeper depths and suspend on mid-lake humps in the summer months. Muskie and pike can also be found on the rocky bottom near points and island drop offs and you can find a great selection of muskie baits here. Lake of the Woods is also an excellent fishery for smallmouth bass, crappie, and lake trout. Look for crappies schooler up in deeper bays near fell trees and other structures.

Lake Of The Woods is one of the most sought after ice fishing destinations in the world. Anglers can catch countless walleye, perch, northern pike, crappie, and even burbot. Walleye are the most popular species to target, hence the name “walleye capital of the world”. Lake Of The Woods tends to have slightly stained water, use brighter colors like pink or green to draw fish in. additionally, glow in the dark colors can be great as well. Crappies are often caught in the shallower, weedy bays. They use this cover to roam between the basin and shallow structure. When you see a suspended mark on your electronics, drop a tungsten jig tipped with either a wax worm or small plastic and keep it slightly above the fish.

Waterbody Type

Lake/Pond

Species Present

Walleye, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Muskie, Crappie, Panfish / Bluegill, Northern Pike, Burbot, Sauger, Sturgeon

Coordinates

-94.9535W
49.1025N

Surface Area

1233.89 sq. km

Avg. Depth

0 ft.

Gear
Fishing Reports (7)
Ambassadors (9)
Nearby Lakes

Relevant Gear for Lake of the Woods Post-Spawn Largemouth Bass Fishing

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Post-Spawn Largemouth Bass Fishing Reports

We have no Fishing Reports for Post-Spawn Largemouth Bass yet.

Other Season Fishing Reports

Reported by Steve Pennaz
We fishing both spinner/crawler rigs and jigs
Season: Summer
Structure: Boulders
Species: Walleye
Technique: Deep Diving Crankbaits (13'+)
Flicker Shad Jointed 2 3/4" / Sunset Perch
berkley
Reported by Josh Traxler
Season: Ice
Structure: Baitfish
Species: Walleye
Technique: Ice Fishing Jigs
Reported by Zach Richter
Spent a few days chasing some walleye. Did well day one with deadstick and day two was primarily a jog bite. Managed a handful of keepers along with one 27.75... Read More
Season: Ice
Structure: Baitfish
Species: Walleye
Forage: Minnows
Technique: Ice Fishing Jigs
Reported by Michael Pocrnich
Slab Rap in 30' tipped with an Emerald Shiner Head was producing Walleyes and Saugers from morning prime time through midday
Season: Ice
Structure: Baitfish
Species: Walleye
Forage: Minnows
Technique: Vertical Jigging Deep (20'+)
Slab Rap 1 1/2" / CHROME
rapala
Reported by Bob Lackner
Season: Pre-Spawn
Structure: Reeds
Species: Northern Pike
Technique: Inline Spinners
Magnum Musky Killer In-Line Spinner 1 1/4 oz / Gold / Black Orange Yellow
mepps
Reported by Drew
Post up on the Rainy and drop anchor (a chain above your anchor does wonders). On heavy gear, drop a 5/0 circle hook on a 12" heavy floro snell anchored... Read More
Season: Pre-Spawn
Structure: River Channels
Species: Sturgeon
Technique: Live Bait Rigs
⚡3 Product Recommendations
Reported by Ron Strauss
The bays on the south shore of Lake Of The Woods are a Pike anglers dream right after ice-out. Pike move into the bays to spawn and Pike fishing is... Read More
Season: Spawn
Structure: Reeds
Species: Northern Pike
Technique: Spinnerbaits
⚡2 Product Recommendations