Lake of the Woods (2)
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Lake of the Woods (2) Fishing Reports
Stay up to date with the latest fishing reports from Lake of the Woods (2). Reports are submitted by local anglers, fishing guides, and our team of fishing experts.
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WalleyeTechniqueVertical Jigging Deep (20'+)SeasonSummerStructureOpen Water/BasinAugust carries a reputation as the "dog days" of summer, when the walleye bite on a lot of lakes slows to a crawl, Lake of the Woods is often crankin'. This is a fantastic month for walleyes and summer patterns are still firmly in place with lots of fish willing to cooperate. Here's a look at how the three areas are shaping up this week. Big Traverse Bay (South Shore) When you find a school, jigging is hard to beat right now. Anglers are doing well in 30 to 32 feet with a jig tipped with a frozen emerald shiner, a minnow, or a piece of crawler. Others are staying on the move and reporting good success pulling spinners and trolling crankbaits, which are great options for locating scattered fish and covering water to find fish. Colors this week... For spinners and jigs, bubblegum, gold and pink, and gold and red have been the standouts. Colors in general can change day to day depending on water clarity and whether it's sunny or cloudy. For crankbaits, as a general starting point, shiny gold, chrome/blue, pink UV firetiger, and chartreuse are all worth trying. Let the fish tell you which one they want, then run with it. Rainy River The Rainy River continues to serve up a mixed bag, and the approach mirrors what's working out on the lake. Some anglers are jigging key spots, while others are trolling spinners with crawlers or crankbaits. Whatever the method, a variety of species are being caught. Sturgeon season is open, and the deep holes are holding these prehistoric giants for anglers looking to tangle with the biggest freshwater fish they'll ever catch. NW Angle Up at the Angle, structure is the key this week. Humps and sunken islands on the Minnesota side have been holding good numbers of walleyes, and pulling spinners tipped with a crawler has been an effective way to catch them. A good tactic here is to use your electronics to see if fish are present and what part of the structure they are holding. Start deep, work up and over the top of the bar, then back down the other side. That lets you figure out whether walleyes are home and, just as important, which part of the structure they're living on that day. Muskies, pike, smallmouth bass, jumbo perch and big black crappies are also being caught amongst the 14,000+ islands in the area. Before You Go A quick reminder on the regulations: the combined walleye and sauger limit is 6 fish total, with up to 4 being walleyes. All walleyes between 19.5 and 28.0 inches must be released immediately, with one walleye over 28.0 inches allowed. Lots of "slot" fish are being caught which provide a great fight and a good pic for memories. August and September are excellent months to fish Lake of the Woods. Some cool mornings and warm afternoons, and (hate to even mention it) fall right around the corner. It's the perfect stretch to get in one more summer trip before the seasons turn, so make your plans now. Lodging, guides, and charters around the lake are ready to help. To find out more about fishing Lake of the Woods, check out our website at lakeofthewoodsmn.com. Stay connected to Lake of the Woods Tourism or your favorite Lake of the Woods resort on social media for daily updates all week long!
- SpeciesWalleyeTechniqueTrolling Deep (20'+)SeasonSummerStructureOpen Water/Basin
Some anglers write off August as the "dog days" of summer when it comes to walleye fishing. A common theme on many bodies of water are weeds, warm water, deep fish and millions of minnows and young of the year fish that make it tough on walleye anglers. Lake of the Woods is a huge exception and walleye fishing continues to be excellent. The summer patterns that have treated anglers so well are still firmly in place, and there are plenty of fish willing to cooperate. If a late-summer trip is on your mind, this is a great time to make it happen. Let's run through the three areas. Big Traverse Bay (South Shore) The deep mud is still the story on the south end. Big schools of walleyes and saugers are holding out over those flats, and the presentations that have carried the summer are as reliable as ever. Drifting or slow-trolling spinners and crawlers behind a bottom bouncer remains the bread-and-butter approach for putting good numbers in the boat. Trolling crankbaits over the same deep water is producing nicely too, and it's a great way to cover ground and pick off active fish. In the stained water Lake of the Woods is known for, gold paired with a bright accent — pink, orange, chartreuse, or glow white — continues to be a winning combination. Between the two techniques, there's no shortage of ways to stay on fish through the day. No disrespect to the jiggers, many are setting up over and on the edges of reefs as well as over deep mud and doing well. As long as you are on fish, vertical jigging with a minnow, leech or piece of crawler has been effective. Rainy River For anglers craving variety, the Rainy River is a place to consider. It's a genuine mixed bag this time of year, including resident walleyes that live in these forage-rich waters year-round, smallmouth bass holding on rock and current breaks, pike patrolling the bays, and the river's legendary sturgeon in the thick of their summer harvest season. Bring a range of tackle and stay ready, because you never quite know what will pull back next. NW Angle Up among the islands, the multispecies action is hard to beat. Walleyes lead the way, but the Angle is loaded with options such as big pike, muskies, smallmouth bass, jumbo perch, and crappies, all part of the daily mix. Fish continue to slide between the rock structure and the adjacent mud, so a little exploring goes a long way, and the next spot may well serve up a different species than the last. It's a paradise for anyone who likes to catch fish and keep the day interesting. Before You Go However you like to fish, your own boat, a guide, or a charter, the walleye bite is holding strong right through the heart of summer. Lodging and fishing opportunities around the lake are available for that August getaway. To find out more about fishing Lake of the Woods, check out our website at lakeofthewoodsmn.com/fishing/. Stay connected on social media for daily updates all week long!
- SpeciesWalleyeTechniqueLive Bait RigsSeasonSummerStructureOpen Water/Basin
Fishing has been very good on Lake of the Woods, and the numbers tell the story. Some years, anglers have to sift through small walleyes and saugers to put eaters in the box. Lately it's the opposite problem — anglers are sorting through slot fish in the 19.5 to 28.0 inch range, which must be released, to find their eaters under 19.5 inches, with an occasional trophy over 28 inches thrown into the mix. What a problem to have! Here's a look at all three areas this week. Big Traverse Bay (South Shore) Spinners and crawlers over the deep mud have emerged as the standout tactic for catching numbers of fish. The setup is simple and deadly effective: run a 2- to 3-ounce bottom bouncer or weight ahead of a two-hook crawler harness — a snelled spinner — tipped with a nightcrawler. Leave just a few inches of crawler trailing off the back hook and pinch the rest off. The fish will still hit it, and you'll turn more of those bites into hookups. For colors, hammered gold, hammered copper, gold/orange, straight orange, and gold/pink have all been getting it done. Crankbaits are worth keeping rigged up as well, and a number of anglers are trolling them with good success. With so many fish stacked over the deep mud in 30 to 38 feet, putting something that looks like an injured minnow in front of a walleye is awfully hard to beat. Between the two approaches, there's plenty of opportunity to stay on active fish all day. Rainy River The Rainy River is serving up a true mixed bag right now, which is exactly what makes it such a fun change of pace. Resident walleyes call these forage-rich waters home year-round, and alongside them you'll find smallmouth bass tucked into the rock and current breaks, pike prowling the back bays, and the river's famous sturgeon — the largest freshwater fish most anglers will ever tangle with — now in their summer harvest season. The river is beautiful in the summer months and doesn't see many anglers. It's a nice option or perhaps an addition to fishing on the lake. NW Angle The NW Angle continues to deliver outstanding multispecies action, and that variety is its calling card. It's a beautiful area where the lake's 14,552 islands begin, and it is loaded with fish. Walleyes are the headliner, naturally, but big pike, muskies, smallmouth bass, jumbo perch, and crappies are all in the mix among the islands. With endless structure to explore and fish sliding between the reefs and the nearby mud, it's the kind of place where the next spot can produce a completely different fish than the last one. For an angler who loves a little of everything, it's tough to top. There isn't a lot of big water in these parts. The islands break up the big water, making it feel more like a number of small lakes versus one large body of water. Fishing is world class! Before You Go A quick reminder on the regulations, since you'll be handling plenty of fish this week: the combined walleye and sauger limit is 6 fish total, with up to 4 being walleyes. All walleyes between 19.5 and 28.0 inches must be released immediately, with one walleye over 28.0 inches allowed. A 2026 Minnesota fishing license is required. Whether you bring your own boat, book a guide, or step aboard a charter, the summer walleye bite is as consistent as it gets right now. Lodging and fishing opportunities around the lake are available for that summer getaway. To find out more about fishing Lake of the Woods, check out our website at lakeofthewoodsmn.com/fishing/. Stay connected on social media for daily updates all week long!
- SpeciesWalleyeTechniqueMedium Diving Crankbaits (7'-12')SeasonSummerStructureOpen Water/Basin
The summer patterns continue with great success on Lake of the Woods. The hot weather has the walleyes fired up and eating, and coolers are being filled with walleyes and saugers across the system. Three techniques are dominating right now, spinners and crawlers, jigging, and trolling crankbaits. Hot colors remain gold paired with brighter shades such as pink, chartreuse, orange, glow white, or a combination of these. Here's where things stand across the three areas this week. Big Traverse Bay (South Shore) The big schools of walleyes and saugers are out over the deep mud, and all three of the go-to presentations are producing. Spinners and crawlers, jigging, and trolling crankbaits will each put fish in the boat. Oftentimes, it's just a matter of matching the method to how the fish are set up on a given day. Crankbaits deserve a closer look this week. Both shad-style baits and the thinner minnow-style baits are doing well, so don't be afraid to alternate cranks until you find what the walleyes want that day. A lot of little factors go into that choice: Is it sunny or cloudy? What forage is prevalent in this part of the lake? Is the water stirred up or clean? All of these matter, and they can change from one day to the next. It also pays to experiment with speed. This time of year, 2.2 to 3.0 mph is a good bet. And think about where you're positioning the crankbait in the water column. Sometimes, they want it right in their face, and other times it's better to run it above the fish and make them chase. Small adjustments like these often turn a slow stretch into a good one. Rainy River The Rainy River continues to offer up a nice mixed bag. The walleyes here don't stack up the way they do during the spring and fall runs, but there's a strong resident population that lives in these forage-rich waters year-round, and the same summer presentations working out on the lake translate well to the river. The sturgeon harvest season is underway too, and these prehistoric giants remain one of the river's biggest draws — in most cases the largest freshwater fish an angler will ever catch. Smallmouth bass round out the mix around rock, current breaks, and shoreline structure. NW Angle Up at the Angle, there's endless structure and plenty of fish, so there are always walleyes relating to the rocks and reefs. As with the south end, though, many walleyes have slid off that structure and out over the adjacent mud, where the same spinner, jig, and crankbait programs are getting it done. It remains a true multispecies destination, with walleyes, saugers, pike, jumbo perch, and smallmouth all in the mix. In addition, the muskie fishing is in full swing on some of the best water in the nation. Before You Go Lake of the Woods absolutely shines this time of year. While many bodies of water struggle to produce consistent walleye catches through July and August, the fishing here stays strong right through the heat of summer. It's a great time to show the kids, or someone who doesn't fish much, some quality walleye action by stepping aboard a charter or hopping in with a guide. All guides on Lake of the Woods and the Rainy River are licensed charter captains, and they're among the most talented in the walleye belt. All fishing equipment, bait, and fish cleaning is provided, so all you have to do is show up and enjoy the day. Lodging and fishing opportunities around the lake are available. A quick reminder on the regulations: the combined walleye and sauger limit is 6 fish total, with up to 4 being walleyes. All walleyes between 19.5 and 28.0 inches must be released immediately, with one walleye over 28.0 inches allowed. A 2026 Minnesota fishing license is required. To find out more about fishing Lake of the Woods, check out our website at lakeofthewoodsmn.com/fishing/. Stay connected on social media for daily updates all week long!
- SpeciesWalleyeTechniqueLive Bait RigsSeasonSummerStructureOpen Water/Basin
Summer walleye patterns are in place on Lake of the Woods. Big schools of walleyes and saugers are out on stretches of deep mud, and fishing has been excellent across the system. Most anglers are drifting spinners and crawlers right now, but some are still jigging or trolling crankbaits, and all three methods are working nicely. Here's where things stand across the three areas this week. Big Traverse Bay (South Shore) The big schools are out on the deep mud across Big Traverse Bay, and there's more than one good way to get at them. A common question this time of year is when to pull spinners or troll cranks versus when to jig, so here's a quick way to think about it. When fish are spread out over a large area, spinners and crankbaits do a great job of covering water and putting your presentation in front of numbers of fish. The flash and vibration of a spinner blade, combined with the scent and action of a nightcrawler, is tough for a walleye to resist. Crankbaits work a little differently because they mimic an injured minnow or baitfish, and instinctively, walleyes notice that "injured" action. Even when they aren't actively feeding, instinct kicks in and they will often react. Jigs, on the other hand, shine when fish are more concentrated over mud, or schooled tighter by a piece of structure. Vertical jigging with a minnow, a piece of crawler, or at times even a leech can be dynamite when you're sitting on fish. In fact, amongst the islands around the NW Angle, some guides leave their jigs on all year long. As for color, two things guide the choice. The first is the color of the water you're fishing. In the stained waters of Lake of the Woods and the Rainy River, gold combined with a bright color such as pink, orange, chartreuse, or glow white is a good bet. The second is the forage you're trying to imitate. For emerald shiners, lean on silver and blue. For crayfish, use orange, red, and gold. For perch, use green, gold, and orange. Rainy River The Rainy River continues to produce a nice mixed bag. Some anglers are heading there specifically to target sturgeon, while others are simply taking a day, or part of a day, away from the walleyes to hook into a dinosaur. Either way, tangling with one of these prehistoric giants is an experience that's hard to top, and they're in the river in good numbers. Specific sturgeon regulations and dates for Lake of the Woods and the Rainy River are: -Harvest (Keep) Season: April 24–May 7, and July 1–September 30. -Catch and Release Season: May 8–May 15, and October 1–April 23. -Closed Season: May 16–June 30 The river is home to a number of fish all year long including walleyes, sauger, smallmouth bass, pike, crappies and the list goes on. This is small water and doesn't see much traffic in the summer months compared to spring and fall. NW Angle Up at the Angle, there's a ton of structure in these parts, and it's loaded with fish. Walleyes will always relate to structure. That said, much like the south end of the lake, many walleyes are now sliding off the reefs and out over stretches of mud. On the Minnesota side, Little Traverse Bay, which extends along the Canadian line south of Oak Island and east of Little Oak, is holding good numbers of fish this time of year. Making long drifts with a 2-ounce bottom bouncer paired with a spinner and crawler is tough to beat here. Similar pockets of mud exist off the deep sides of structure throughout the islands region. Other areas with a mud bottom may not be as large, but they can still be super productive. The muskie fishing is living up to its reputation, too. Good numbers of muskies are being caught and released right now. These waters are known for some of the best muskie fishing in the nation, and the current reports are proving that. Before You Go A quick reminder on the regulations. The combined walleye and sauger limit is 6 fish total, with up to 4 being walleyes. All walleyes between 19.5 and 28.0 inches must be released immediately, with one walleye over 28.0 inches allowed. A 2026 Minnesota fishing license is required. Summer fishing has been excellent, and the walleye action is about as consistent as it gets. Whether you jump in with a fishing guide, hop aboard a charter, or bring your own boat, there's good fishing to be had right now. When walleye fishing in other parts gets tough during the summer due to millions of minnows and young of the year fry, excessive weed growth and heavy recreational boat traffic, summer walleye fishing shines up at Lake of the Woods and is very consistent. To find out more about fishing Lake of the Woods, check out our website at lakeofthewoodsmn.com/fishing/. Stay connected on social media for daily updates all week long!
Doug BensonBronze AmbassadorSpeciesWalleyeTechniqueTrolling Deep (20'+)SeasonSummerStructureRiver ChannelsVery windy which made fishing on the Lake a rough ride. Choose to fish the river channel instead. Troll crank baits slowly.
- SpeciesWalleyeTechniqueDeep Diving Crankbaits (13'+)SeasonSummerStructureReef
Trolling deep reefs with hard structure surrounding it was the ticket. Fish in and outside the slot were on fire. Nothing huge, but action was nonstop.
- Bad DogBronze AmbassadorSpeciesWalleyeTechniqueTrolling Deep (20'+)SeasonSummerStructureOpen Water/Basin
used 3 and 4 oz quick swap teardrop weights bring rain gear
