Lake of the Woods MN Fishing Report
On the main basin... For those fishing the lake, fishing has been good. Mixed schools of fish from 10-25' along the south shore. Activity around both Lighthouse and Morris Point Gaps and along Pine Island. Most anchored up and jigging with frozen shiners with good success. Gold, pink and chartreuse working well.

On the Rainy River... The Rainy River is loaded with walleyes. Anglers having success in key spots up and down river. Jig and minnow (shiners, rainbows) continue to be the go-to method. Gold, glow, pink and chartreuse for jigs. Anchoring up most effective. Jig over side or flip out and work to boat in low current. In main channel, good amount of current, 1-ounce jigs may be the ticket. On edge of current and eddy areas, 3/8-ounce. Strong reports in 8-15'. Many trophy walleyes being caught along with eaters. When found, anglers reporting big numbers of walleyes. Move around until you find fish.

Up at the NW Angle... Fall fishing continues to be excellent. Walleyes are in early ice up areas. Limits of walleyes being caught in 12 - 25'. Jigging still producing best. Muskie trollers catching big fish.

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On the main basin... Many strong reports from the lake as water clarity is improved. Mixed schools of fish from 14-28' along the south shore. Most anchored up and jigging with frozen shiners with good success. Gold or gold mixed with glow, pink or orange working well.

On the Rainy River... Big numbers of walleyes in the river this week. Anglers having success in key spots from the mouth of the river at Wheeler's Point to Birchdale, a 42-mile stretch. Jig and shiners continue to be the go-to method with some anglers also trolling crankbaits. Gold, orange and yellow for jigs. When jigging, anchoring up has been most effective. Strong reports in 8-15'. Some big walleyes being caught along with eaters. Some of the best fall fishing in the river in a long time.

Up at the NW Angle... Fishing is excellent. Limits of walleyes being caught in 12 - 25'. Jigging still producing. Look for areas of current in neck down areas and outside of bays. Fall crappie bite is still strong. Muskie trollers releasing some big fish. Excellent fall fishing is happening now.

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On the main basin... Many strong reports from the lake.  Mixed schools of fish from 14-28' along south shore from Lighthouse Gap to Rocky Point.  Most anchored up and jigging with frozen shiners.  Gold or gold mixed with other colors working well.   The key is finding the fish.  Once found, fish tend to cooperate nicely.  



On the Rainy River... Strong walleye activity continues.  Jig and frozen shiners continue to be the go-to method with some anglers also trolling crankbaits.  Gold, orange and yellow for jigs.  As waves of walleyes move through, reports change daily up and down river.  Be mobile, move around if a spot isn't producing.  A lot of good reports in 8-14'.  Some big walleyes caught over the weekend. Sturgeon continue to have the feed bag on.  The sturgeon catch and release season goes through April 23, 2019.    



Up at the NW Angle... Fishing continues to be really really good.  Limits of walleyes being caught in 14 - 25'.  Jigging still producing.  Look for areas of current in neck down areas and outside of bays.  Fall crappie bite in on.  Muskie trollers still boating and releasing good numbers of fish.  The best fall fishing is yet to come, but only for the hearty!  Dress warm and hang on.  

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On the main basin... As water temps approach mid 40's, walleye anglers reporting strong fall bite. Good fish caught despite a lot of precipitation this past week. Clear weather in the forecast. Walleyes staging at various south shore locations in 20-29'. Jig and frozen shiner the ticket. Anchor up and jig with gold, glow red, or gold/orange. Fish are very active.

On the Rainy River... Strong walleye activity continues. Jig and frozen shiners continue to be go to method with some anglers also trolling crankbaits. Shiner run has slowed for the moment but good numbers of walleyes in the river. Sturgeon have the feed bag on. The sturgeon catch and release season goes through April 23, 2019. The bite is on!

Up at the NW Angle... Fishing continues to be excellent. Limits of walleyes being caught in 14 - 25'. Jigging still producing. Look for areas of current in neck down areas and outside of bays. Fall crappie bite continues strong. Big pike making their presence felt, like it or not! Muskie trollers boating and releasing good numbers of fish. The best fall fishing is yet to come!

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On the main basin... Good fall walleye fishing continues. Water a bit stirred up on south shore this past week starting to settle. Walleyes and shiners are staging out front in 20-29'. Various spots along south shore of lake producing, fall pattern kicking in. Jigs and frozen shiners working best. Anchor up and jig with gold, glow red, or gold/orange. Nice numbers of fish coming in.

On the Rainy River... Walleye activity strong with some big fish showing up in the river. Anglers reporting success jigging with a 3/8 or 1/2 ounce jig and frozen shiner. More walleyes continue to enter river from lake. Four Mile Bay had good bite, best in morning. Sturgeon have the feed bag on. Strong activity continues with some 60"+ fish boated. The bite is on!

Up at the NW Angle... Fishing continues to be excellent. Limits of walleyes being caught on rocky bays and adjacent reefs. 17 - 25'. Jigging still producing. Look for pinch points and areas of current and outside of bays. Crappie activity strong, suspended over mud bottom in 24-28'. Muskie trolling off to a great start and only getting better as water temps reach high 40's.

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On the main basin... Good fall walleye fishing continues. Jigs and frozen shiners working well in 20-29' during the day and a morning/evening bite happening in 10-15'. Anchor up and jig with gold, glow red, or gold/orange. Good numbers of walleyes stacking up in front Pine Island, both Lighthouse Gap and Morris Point gap, Zippel Bay, and Long Point areas. Shiners continue to run up the Rainy River.

On the Rainy River... Shiners are running and walleye activity picked up greatly this week. Good limits being caught. Anglers reporting success jigging with a 3/8 or 1/2 ounce jig and frozen shiner. Increased sturgeon activity continues with some 60"+ fish boated. The bite is on!

Up at the NW Angle... Fishing continues to be excellent. Limits of walleyes being caught on rocky bays and adjacent reefs. 15 - 22'. Jigging still producing. Walleyes starting to move towards structure and outside mouths of bays. Crappie activity strong, guides helpful for crappies. A complete list of lodging, packages, guides and fishing info available at www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/Lodging

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On the main basin... Good fall walleye fishing continues. Jigs and frozen shiners working well in 28-32'. Anchor up and jig. If not finding fish, drift with spinners or troll crankbaits to find active fish. Fish starting to stack in front Pine Island and other south shore locations. Some days fish are sliding shallow. Shiners continue to run up the Rainy River.
On the Rainy River... Shiners are running. Walleyes are just starting to enter river. Anglers reporting success both jigging and pulling crankbaits. Increased sturgeon activity. Walleye activity is increasing as shiner run continues.

Up at the NW Angle... Fishing is excellent. Strong numbers of walleyes being caught on mud flats and adjacent to islands. 15 - 25'. Spinners, crankbaits and jigging all still producing. Walleyes starting to move towards structure and outside mouths of bays. Crappie activity strong, guides helpful for crappies.

A complete list of lodging, packages, guides and fishing info available at www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/Lodging

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On the main basin... Very strong walleye fishing continues with the jig bite picking up. Charters finding limits of eater walleyes with big fish mixed in. Crankbaits, spinners / crawlers and jigs with frozen shiners in main basin successful. 15-31 feet of water producing good numbers of walleyes across south shore with very good numbers in front of gap. Shiners showing up at mouth of Rainy River as well as up the Rainy River.

On the Rainy River... With shiners entering the river, eater walleyes showing up as well. Anglers reporting success both jigging and pulling crankbaits. Walleye activity will be increasing as shiner run continues.

Up at the NW Angle... Strong numbers of walleyes being caught on mud flats and around Garden Island. 15 - 25' is a good start. Spinners, crankbaits and jigging all producing. Some nice jumbo perch mixed with walleyes. Muskie activity picking up as water is cooling. Next full moon, Sep 24. Crappie anglers are producing big black slabs.

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Incredible week of walleye fishing. Very strong walleye fishing continues as we transition into fall. Limits of walleyes with big fish mixed in has been the norm. Crankbaits and still spinners / crawlers in main basin successful. 32-34 feet of water in Big Traverse Bay holding big numbers of walleyes. Walleyes being caught as shallow as 2' and everywhere in between. Shiners showing up at mouth of Rainy River with some running up the Rainy River. Fish being caught all around Big Traverse Bay.
On the Rainy River, sturgeon fishing "keep season" continues until Sept 30. Some walleyes entering river after shiners which are starting to come in. Some reports of walleyes being caught as shiners trickle in. Fall is a productive and beautiful time on the Rainy River.

Up at the NW Angle... Strong numbers of walleyes being caught on mud flats with bottom bouncer / crawler harness or on crankbaits on both sides of the border. 22 - 27' is a good start. Perch schooling on top of reefs. Muskie activity picking up. Next full moon, Sep 24. Sep / Oct Crappie anglers are producing nice black slabs.

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Wow, what a great week of walleye fishing. With the NWT (National Walleye Tour) anglers prefishing for this week's championship, a lot of big fish pics on web. A mix of spinners / crawlers and crankbaits in main basin successful. 32-34 feet of water in Big Traverse Bay holding big numbers of walleyes. Best colors, brand and size varies based on angler. Shiners showing up at mouth of Rainy River with some running up the Rainy River. Fish being caught along south shore.
On the Rainy River, sturgeon fishing "keep season" is open until Sept 30. Some walleyes entering river after shiners which are starting to come in. Last year, mid - late September started some excellent walleye fishing in river. This year, time will tell, but things are starting.

Up at the NW Angle... Strong numbers of walleyes being caught on mud flats with bottom bouncer / crawler harness on both sides of the border. Larger fish south of Garden Island in basin. Perch schooling on top of reefs. Nice muskies boated this week with increased activity as fall approaches. Next full moon, Sep 24. Crappie fishing picking up as traditionally does in Sep / Oct.. A complete list of lodging, packages, guides and fishing info available at www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/Lodging

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