Lake of the Woods is well-known for the next fishing information?

1. Big walleyes
2. Quick motion from a mixture of saugers and walleyes
3. Nice daytime chunk all winter lengthy
4. All the above

You in all probability guessed it, however the reply undoubtedly is 4. All the above. And in reality, these solutions characterize just a few of the explanation why Lake of the Woods stands out as one of many world’s most famous ice-fishing locations. Straddling the U.S./Canada border, with the U.S. portion in Minnesota, this huge lake freezes early and stays that means for a very long time, and the walleye ice season stays open longer than on different Minnesota lakes.

Lake of the Woods additionally has liberal limits, with an eight fish mixed walleye/sauger restrict (solely 4 could also be walleyes; measurement restrictions apply). With the sauger inhabitants presently in glorious situation primarily based on anglers’ observations and sampling research performed by the Minnesota Division of Pure Sources, the chance exists to reap a pleasant bag of fish most days. The walleye inhabitants is likewise in glorious situation, with a big common measurement and various real giants within the combine.

Plentiful resorts line the Minnesota part Lake of the Woods, and the gateway city of Baudette is a particular fishing group. In reality, it’s typically referred to as the Walleye Capital of the World. From a sensible standpoint that implies that every thing you may want for fishing — from bait to provides to fishing stories to rental ice homes – is available. Making a great factor even higher is that regardless of Lake of the Woods’ great measurement, a lot of the most effective fishing could be very helpful to the areas the place the lake is most accessible, and good fishing areas are typically straightforward to search out.

Trending: Lake of the Woods Ice Fishing: When to Go, What to Know

“The resort trade makes it straightforward for an angler who could not ice-fish fairly as typically to get on the market and luxuriate in success in an ice home that has been positioned in a productive space,” mentioned Nick Painovich, who operates Zippel Bay Resort along with his spouse Deanna.

Zippel Bay maintains a plowed highway from the resort to the lake’s basin, the place they’ve an in depth village of ice homes close to the outlet of Zippel Bay. The resort’s total highway system is flagged and even marked with road indicators, and stays sufficiently nicely maintained so that you can drive out to an ice home in a 2-wheel-drive car.

After all, alternatives should not restricted to resort visitors fishing from rental homes. In depth productive flats are accessible to anglers pulling transportable shelters with snowmobiles, and Lake of the Woods is vastly common with ice anglers preferring to select their spots and drill their very own holes and stay extra cell with their method.

Discovering Fish

Painovich famous that by way of the primary a part of the season, a lot of the most effective fishing happens pretty near the shore. Early and late within the day through the first a part of the season, he suggests concentrating on water within the 12- to 16-foot vary. By way of the center of the day, the most effective motion is often within the 20- to 22-foot vary. In reality, the resort provides shallow/deep packages that enable visitors to separate time between two places and focus their efforts in these areas which are probably to provide at completely different occasions of the day.

“For the common man who won’t wish to transfer round through the day, the 18- to 22-foot vary is nice,” Painovich mentioned.

Trending: Anglers report strong walleye and sauger action on Lake of the Woods

Shallow, deep or in between, most fishing is over broad flats with a backside that consists of sand or rubble, and the fish colleges are inclined to roam, not essentially holding on outlined breaks or rock piles.

Blended catches of walleyes and saugers predominate by way of the primary a part of the season, with the largest walleyes and the perfect walleye chunk typically occurring shallow round first and final mild.

By way of the center of winter the fish transfer deeper, and the most effective mid-day catches will happen in 30 ft or extra of water. About 80 p.c of the fish caught out deep will probably be saugers, in response to Painovich. The walleyes nonetheless will feed shallower early and late – simply not fairly as shallow.

Late within the ice season, the walleyes and saugers sometimes start shifting shallower once more, and the pike chunk typically will get actually good. Massive pike staging to maneuver into Zippel Bay to spawn start working their means up flats throughout March and supply glorious alternatives, particularly for anglers fishing with tip-ups.

Finest Baits

As a result of the water in Lake of the Woods is pretty darkish, baits that make noise are inclined to work nicely. Painovich pointed towards a Lindy Rattl’N Flyer Spoon, Darter and the brand new 360 Jig as glorious selections. He really useful a two-rod technique, with an aggressive, noisy bait on one line and one thing small, quiet and pure — probably a reside minnow on dead-sticked Frostee Jig or Slick Jig — on the opposite.

Trending: Plan The Perfect Lake of the Woods Ice Fishing Trip With River Bend Resort

“Even after they received’t hit that noisy Darter, it helps deliver them shut to analyze they usually’ll find yourself taking the opposite bait,” Painovich mentioned.

When it comes to reside bait, he recommends utilizing emerald shiners when they’re out there, and pointed towards fathead minnows as a great second alternative. Zippel Bay additionally sells frozen minnows for tipping spoons or jigs so as to add scent and taste.

The largest measurement Darter works nicely for anglers who choose to focus on pike with a rod in hand, nevertheless many Lake of the Woods fishermen do the majority of their focused pike fishing with tip-ups.

Igloo, Too

For those who do fish Lake of the Woods this winter, go away time to cease by the Zippel Bay Igloo. Positioned simply exterior the Zippel Bay among the many resort’s ice home village, the Igloo is an on-the-water snack bar and watering gap that provides every thing from satellite tv for pc TV to rental ice holes beneath tables, so you’ll be able to proceed to fish when you eat a snack and watch a ballgame.

Wish to Go?

To study extra about Lake of the Woods ice fishing alternatives and to plan your winter journey, go to www.zippelbay.com or give them a name at 800-222-2537.