Lake of the Woods (US)
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Lake of the Woods (US) Fishing Reports
Stay up to date with the latest fishing reports from Lake of the Woods (US). Reports are submitted by local anglers, fishing guides, and our team of fishing experts.
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Omnia Community MemberBronze AmbassadorSpecies
WalleyeTechniqueInline SpinnersSeasonSummerStructureHumps- SpeciesWalleyeTechniqueVertical Jigging Deep (20'+)SeasonSpring (Post-Spawn)StructureRiver Channels
Jigging at the outlet of the rainy river in about 18-24ft of water, using the current to bounce the jig off the bottom
- SpeciesWalleyeTechniqueDrop ShotSeasonSummerStructureRock Pile
- Species
Northern PikeTechniqueBladed JigsSeasonSpring (Spawn)StructureOpen Water/BasinPike fishing is open year round on Lake Of The Woods. As the ice melts and warms in the bays, the Nothern Pike move in to spawn. It's a great way to get an early start on your fishing season in Minnesota. I fished 3 days and used a white ZMan Jackhammer with an X Zone white swammer paddle tail. I caught many pike in the upper 30's. My best day included two (2) Trophy Pike over 40 inches. The pike were in shallow water which was warmer than deeper areas. They also preferred underwater reeds and cat tail areas.
- SpeciesNorthern PikeTechniqueBladed JigsSeasonSpring (Spawn)StructureOpen Water/Basin
When fishing Lake Of The Woods you hear it over and over. Use a gold colored jig. I decided to try the half ounce Z-Man BIG BLADE in Blue Gill color. The blade is gold. It was an overcast day and I added a green pumpkin paddle tail. This combination was creating a lot of noise in the water and the pike noticed. I caught several in the mid to upper 30's.
- Species
SturgeonTechniqueLive Bait RigsSeasonSpring (Pre-Spawn)StructureRiver ChannelsPost 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 down with a sinker slide and pyramid style weight. Gob that hook up with as many worms and frozen shiners as you can and hang on. Sturgeon are on the move -- headed to the main lake for summer. These pre-historic monsters forage by smell, your ball of bait will bring them in. They'll hit light, but once you set the hook on one of these dinosaurs --you'll fight for every inch of line. Practice CPR: bend back your hook barb for a quick release to keep the fish healthy. Bonus fish abound in the river this time of year, you'll be cursing that 30 inch walleye you reeled in that stole your ball of stank.
- SpeciesNorthern PikeTechniqueBladed JigsSeasonSpring (Spawn)StructurePoints
Pike fishing is open year round on Lake Of The Woods. Once the bays ice out on the south end of the lake, pike congregate in the bays and creeks to spawn. Last year (2022) I caught 2 trophy pike over 40 inches. This year (2023) I caught one trophy 40 inch pike, a 39 inch pike and several in the mid to upper 30's. A white half ounce Z-Man Chatterbait with a white paddle tail has produced every year for me. Bring a large net...you're going to need it! :)
- SpeciesWalleyeTechniqueLive Bait RigsSeasonSummerStructureOpen Water/Basin
The walleyes and saugers were in 20 to 30 FOW. I used a crawler harness Lindy rigged and 5 dozen crawlers.
