The Fishing Report
Feb 20, 2012
Well, for the winter enthusiasts like myself today is a good day in Lake of the Woods County! We are about to double the amount of snow we have on the ground with the 4-6 inches of snow we are expected to get in the next 36 hours!!! Did you know on average approximately 30 inches of snow falls throughout the year in Lake of the Woods, not this year!
Anyways, back to fishing! We’re hearing mixed reports on depths right now as we enter the middle of the hard water season. The majority of people I’ve spoke with are having some nice luck right around 30-32 feet of water. One resort owner I spoke with has houses at 34 feet of water and enjoying a nice bite. We’re still seeing some nice quality fish coming through and a vexilar/fish finder remains very helpful. Again, we’re seeing more sauger than walleye, but the sauger are of quality size. Gold, Red, Pink, Glow,and actually some silver, perhaps due to the clearer water. You know the drill on presentation.
The NorthWest Angle has a lot to report this week! At the Angle many limits of crappies are being pulled from Canadian waters at about 30-32 feet of water. One group caught a 48” musky on a crappie jig! Another group pulled at least 15 white fish from good ‘ol Lake of the Woods! Walleye fishing by Garden Island has really taken off. Everyone is bringing in their limits with ease. Great temperatures, continued snow fall, and the fishing is on fire…A perfect winter!
The snowmobile trail from Sportsman’s to Oak Island remains in great shape as do the trails from Wheeler’s to Warroad and Wheeler’s to Baudette. It is highly recommended to stick to the trail as the ride off the trail is very rough and we’ve seen a lot of ice chunks. Land trails remain closed as we’re still at a lack of snow.
Fishing on Lake of the Woods
The stunning international waters of Lake of the Woods and Rainy River provide some of the best fishing in the world. Anglers flock here year-round in search of that elusive record catch.
The waters near the Northwest Angle & Islands are home to a variety and volume of fish. Walleye and muskie are king here, but exceptional smallmouth bass, northern pike and crappie fishing can be found, too.
The South Shore is home to trophy walleye and northern. During the winter months, anglers can ice fish to their hearts' content for walleye and sauger during the day or all night long in comfortable condos. Or they can add variety by checking out the hot northern pike action in tip-up and spearing houses.
The Rainy River, which meanders between Rainy Lake and Lake of the Woods, forms a natural boundary between the U.S. and Canada. In the winter, the river holds ice fishermen in toasty houses, while spring heralds a fishing frenzy for pre-spawn walleyes near Franz Jevne State Park.
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