On the south end… There is some excellent walleye fishing taking place right now with some huge walleyes being caught. The dog days are some of the best days on Lake of the Woods.
The deep mud bite is in 28 – 35 feet of water. Anglers are catching good numbers of fish on the mud using mainly two different techniques, spinners and crankbaits.
Most anglers are getting their walleyes with spinners and crawlers. A two hook crawler harness with a spinner blade colored in gold, gold / pink, pink, orange, glow red, glow white, or a combo of these colors.
Drift or troll at 1 – 1.25 mph with a 2 – 3 ounce weight or bottom bouncer and two hook harness with a crawler. A 3 ounce bouncer is very helpful in depths over 30 feet.
Trolling crankbaits continues to catch a lot of fish as well. With so many walleyes spread out over the miles and miles of mud over Big Traverse Bay, covering water is a good strategy.
Some walleyes are also hanging out on, or adjacent to, rock reefs. With miles and miles of open mud basin, areas of structure can be a magnet.
Anglers utilizing forward facing sonar are sharp shooting big walleyes in all parts of the water column throughout Big Traverse Bay. The recent winners of the David A. Andersen Warrior Boats tournament put up 5 walleyes for 55.76 lbs.
On the Rainy River… A variety of species of fish continue being caught on the river.
Sturgeon anglers are reporting consistent summer action. Anchored up in a hole of the river or the sloping bank from the hole to a flat and soak some crawlers or frozen emerald shiners (or both).
Walleye anglers are finding walleyes on flats, in holes, current breaks and over rocky areas. Jigging, trolling spinners / crawlers or trolling crankbaits are all producing fish.
Up at the NW Angle… Excellent walleye fishing continues. Points, sunken islands, saddles, and neck down areas with current are just a few ideas.
Deep mud such as east of Little Oak Island or north of Garden Island have been producing walleyes. When fish are sliding out to mud flats, spinners and crawlers which cover water work well, as do trolling crankbaits.
Muskie anglers are finding fish, but report it has not been what they call a normal year. Fish are being found in a variety of areas.
A mixed bag includes walleyes and saugers, perch, crappies, pike, bass and even muskies.
Lodging, full service fishing packages, small boat guide trips, and charter trips are available at www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/Lodging.
