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Lake of the Woods MN Fishing Report 2/06

Category: fishing reports

 Feb 6th, 2024 by sworrall 

Modified Feb 6th, 2024 at 12:31 PM

On the south end…   Ice fishing is in full swing and a good bite for most this past week.  Good reports from a number of areas for some quality walleyes and saugers.  The fish cleaning shacks have been busy.

Resort ice guides and outfitters are constantly monitoring ice conditions.  Thankfully, we had increased ice thickness and had a nice layer of snow prior to the recent warm up.  The snow is an insulator and will protect the ice from the sun.  Reports from resorts and outfitters are that ice conditions are good where ice roads are marked and they are fishing.

With that being said, it is super important to stay on the resort ice roads and do not go off on your own.  There are areas of thinner ice conditions, cracks, etc in areas of the lake, off of the ice roads.  Many ice roads have restrictions for 3/4 ton and 1 ton pickups along with wheel houses.  Check ahead.

Ice fishing through resorts is in full swing.  Some resorts use ice roads, allowing you to drive your vehicle to the heated fish house.  Other resorts have groomed trails and will transport you out in their ice transportation.  Nothing has changed, lots of options.
The majority of ice fishing on the south end of the lake is in 28 – 34 feet of water.  The one two punch of jigging one line and using a live minnow on the second on a plain hook or an ice fishing jig is the way to go.

On the jigging line, jigging spoons with rattles tipped with a full minnow or piece of a minnow in gold, glow red, glow white, pink, and chartreuse, or a combo of these colors, have been good.

On the deadstick, a live minnow on a #4 or #6 plain hook, colored hook or a small ice jig six inches – one foot off of the bottom is effective.  Jig the deadstick on occasion to keep the minnow moving and to attract fish.

A variety of fish are being caught including walleyes, saugers, jumbo perch, pike, crappies, eelpout, tullibees and sturgeon in the mix.

On the Rainy River…  Most ice fishing is taking place on the lake.  There are a couple of resorts that ice fish on the Rainy River.  Know ice conditions or work through a resort or outfitter for safety.

Some anglers who open water fish in the river during the spring are hoping for an extra week or two this year.  Mother Nature will determine!

Up at the NW Angle…   Another good walleye bite up at the Angle this week.  Walleyes, saugers, jumbo perch, eelpout, pike and some big crappies in the mix.

Resorts have fish houses spread out on a number of good spots throughout the island area of the lake on the Minnesota side.
Resorts also have options for those who are interested in catching big black crappies on the Ontario side of the lake.  Inquire with NW Angle resorts.

Again, the one two punch of jigging one line and deadsticking the second line is the way to go.  Electronics are very helpful in determining what the fish want that given day.  Adapt based on how they are reacting, or not reacting, to your offerings.

The snowmobile trails from the south end of Lake of the Woods across the lake up to the NW Angle resorts are open.  Please stay on the trail for safety.

Ice fishing is in full swing.  Come on up and catch some walleyes and saugers.  Lodging, fish house rentals, ice fishing, and meal packages at www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/Lodging.  

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