It’s well-known amongst ice anglers why March is such an important month. The times are longer, the solar is stronger and melting snow and ice oxygenates the water. The walleyes instincts start to kick in, which implies the spawning season is approaching and it’s time to bulk up. With all of those components, fishing might be superb.

There may be usually not numerous speak about March walleye fishing in lakes all through the Midwest because the season is closed or there is no such thing as a ice. On Lake of the Woods, nevertheless, as a result of it’s border water, totally different guidelines apply and the walleye season is open till April 14. This opens up a window of walleye fishing that many look forward to all 12 months lengthy.

There are a couple of key spots which might be absolute magnets for March ‘eyes.

Evening and bridges With Large Traverse Bay primarily made up of mud backside, reefs that pop up might be absolute magnets for walleyes. This space hugs the japanese facet of Large Traverse and is positioned about 20 miles north of Wheeler’s Level, which is the mouth of the Wet River. The west edges of those islands are loaded with a wide range of reefs, gravel and dirt transitions. Arrange on the deep transitions from rock to mud, in 27 to 32 ft of water. This can be a good place to start out. Throughout low-light intervals, walleyes will go up shallower to feed, however the deep transitions are good bets.

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

Lengthy Level to Rocky Level Once more, this part of the lake is loaded with reefs that come out of miles and miles of mud. Not solely do the walleyes and saugers hold on these reefs, this time of 12 months jumbo perch will present up as nicely. When the jumbos, or humpbacks present up, they’ll usually exceed 13 inches.

The Northwest Angle This space north of Backyard Island is the place the 14,552 islands of the lake start. Islands, reefs and underwater factors embellish the mud because the lake transitions to extra of a rocky panorama. There are actually dozens of spots to fish. It isn’t unusual to listen to of a night chew on the highest of a reef yielding fish after fish as these aggressive feeders make the most of low gentle intervals.

Pine Island The south shore may yield some glorious March fishing. A few of the walleyes within the system are starting to stage for the spawn up the Wet River. These walleyes are organising within the mud simply outdoors of the Lighthouse Hole and Morris Level Hole on the south finish of the lake, adjoining to Pine Island. With elevated water flows coming from the Wet River and Bostic Creek, walleyes begin to hone in on their spawning areas, and these areas can get stacked with fish. One other robust space is simply to the west of Zippel Bay. This space transitions to smaller rocks that additionally appeal to walleyes this time of 12 months.

With resort homes not having to be off of the lake till March 31, each south finish and Northwest Angle resorts can have fish homes on lots of the spots talked about. Life can positive simple if you end up shuttled proper to the door of your heated fish home.

Trending: Dialing In Stained-Water Walleyes | Ice Fishing Magazine

Some select to drive on the plowed ice roads offered by the resorts. Whether or not you deliver the collapsible fish home or fish within the open, these roads can take you to some very productive fishing.

The opposite choice actually is a snowmobile and collapsible fish home. There are snowmobile trails that go from the mouth of the Wet River previous Knight and Bridges, all the best way as much as the Northwest Angle. These trails are marked and groomed and make it simple to get round. They permit anglers to entry a superb a part of the lake, together with the areas mentioned.

The climate this time of 12 months might be winter-like or that of a heat, sunny day. On the nicer days, it’s a deal with to fish out within the open and welcome the nice and cozy breezes. Don’t overlook sunscreen because the solar is powerful and displays off of the ice.

Strategies Catching March walleyes doesn’t must be rocket science. Usually, with the 2 strains per angler allowed ice fishing in Minnesota, jig with one line and use a lifeless stick within the second gap. Jig together with your favourite spoon tipped with a frozen shiner head or physique. Differ your jigging movement till you get the fish dialed in that particular day. Electronics like a Vexilar are useful, as they not solely let you know when and the place the fish are coming via, however they assist educate you on how the fish need the presentation that day.

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Within the deadstick gap, set a dwell minnow on a hook or your favourite ice jig 6 to 12 inches off of the underside. Most anglers use a bobber. Lots of the ice guides is not going to use a bobber, however quite set their rod on a bucket so the rod is sideways to them and so they can see the slightest motion on the tip of the rod. If that rod tip goes down in any respect, it’s time to set the hook. The thought is that this methodology will choose up some fish that the bobber line wouldn’t have indicated.

With the walleyes bulking up, it is a good time to attempt your favourite swimming minnow bait, resembling a Chubby Darter, Lindy Darter or Rapala Rippin’ Rap. All might be efficient as bigger profile baits that get the fish’s consideration on the lookout for bigger forage.

Colours Yearly might be totally different; the truth is, each day might be totally different. There are some identified go-to colours that appear to face the check of time. Gold is a staple on Lake of the Woods primarily as a result of barely “stained” water that comes from the bogs, releasing tannins into the water. This stained water coaxes the walleyes to eat through the day quite than the midnight, which is the liking to most anglers with regular sleep patterns.

Different colours which might be robust are glow colours. My go-to coloration is glow pink, with glow pink an in depth second. Some days when the fish are aggressive, you might in all probability catch one on nearly any coloration, however when circumstances are more difficult, experiment with colours.

There may be numerous pleasure in March as Midwesterners are on the lookout for a reprieve from the grasp of winter. Basketball and hockey tournaments are in full gear, days are longer and 40 levels appears like a warmth wave. In case you are a walleye angler, don’t put your ice fishing gear away simply but, as among the largest fish and greatest recollections of the ice fishing season are but to be made.