In terms of ice fishing Lake of the Woods, there appears to by no means be a scarcity of motion. On the great days you might be slamming trophy walleye and on the sluggish days you might be slamming sauger, with loads of slot fish blended in. On the REALLY enjoyable days, you might be reeling up trophy sturgeon, similar to Greg did with this 60″ sturgeon within the image above (launched).

Nonetheless, as enjoyable as it may be, it’s additionally intimidating. It’s an enormous physique of water with its personal set of laws, limitations, and what looks as if countless lodging choices. For the brand new guests, it’s so much to think about. That’s why I put collectively a easy Lake of the Woods ice fishing information that will help you plan the right journey for you, your folks, and your loved ones.

ICE FISHING LAKE OF THE WOODS

In terms of ice fishing Lake of the Woods there are such a lot of choices. I’ve accomplished all of it: DIY, day homes, all inclusive packages, you identify it. On the finish of the day it depends upon the gear you might have and the folks you propose on bringing with, and easily how a lot work you need to put in your self.

Many occasions, I’ll plan a visit for each. After I deliver an enormous group of individuals alongside, like we did with Matt’s Alaska crew, or with my family and friends for my birthday, I attempt to go inclusive. When it’s simply Matt and I, or a pal or two, it’s all about DIY.

After all a few of the greatest journeys are once we find time for each.

SPECIES TO TARGET

If you’re studying this text you might be most likely pondering of walleye when fishing Lake of the Woods, however it’s not the one species that may draw you to the realm. In actual fact, a few of the most original multi-species alternatives lies inside this huge physique of water and its tributary. That’s why beneath I’ve a fast abstract of fishing alternatives you may take pleasure in whereas ice fishing Lake of the Woods.

Walleye/Sauger

Lake of the Woods is a walleye (and sauger) manufacturing unit and there are is all the time that likelihood to attain a fish of lifetime. It’s what attracts folks to this place, limitless motion paired with actual trophy fishing.

Lake of the Woods Walleye Ideas

In terms of discovering and catching fish, there actually is not any secret. Early within the 12 months, earlier than the lake is totally froze, it’s usually greatest to easily plan your journey with a resort. Not solely is it essential for them to be on fish to promote packages, however maybe most significantly, they know the protection limits early within the 12 months, when ice is but to be thick or predictable.

Nonetheless, as January progresses the DIY alternatives turn out to be robust. And if just a few sits in a everlasting shack don’t do it for you – then I like to recommend venturing out to the extra in style construction on the lake – resembling Backyard, Knight Island, and extra. I’ve additionally seen loads of motion sitting subsequent to ice heaves within the mud flats as nicely.

Trending: Ice Fishing Reports North Central Minnesota 2022 – Fishrapper

When DIYing, the largest ticket goes to be transferring whenever you discover the fish aren’t there. So pack mild, and be prepared to maneuver whenever you aren’t discovering the category of fish you might be searching for.

Walleye Gear for Lake of the Woods

My favourite resort, River Bend Resort, does hire out some gear (as talked about later on this article). Nonetheless, if you wish to pack for it your self, listed below are few strategies.

Beneficial Walleye Gear for Lake of the Woods:

1. Medium powered rod – I take advantage of a Tuned Up Customized Rod Commander with a stiffer spine in case I hook into that 30″ fish.
2. 10 lb braid with a fluorocarbon chief – I personally run energy professional, however any braid works nicely for energy and sensitivity.
3. A mixture of spoons tipped with a minnow head are all the time nice choices to have readily available – I like having the Lindy Rattlin Flyer Spoon (my FAVORITE lure – use code nicole15 to order at lurenet.com), a buckshot and a VMC dangler within the combine – I discover the 1/4 to 1/8 works the very best.
4. A lifeless line – Minnesota permits 2 strains whole, so I’ve acquired a lifeless keep on with a bobber or a dangler operating always (paired with the identical # line). I normally have a easy hook, break up shot, and minnow as my go to presentation.
5. Electronics of selection (Each fishing expertise is that a lot better with a flasher or sonar unit)

Most popular colours:

I’ve discovered that golds and reds work the very best. Lake of the Woods is taken into account “darkish” water, and walleye have restricted coloration imaginative and prescient as it’s, so you may’t go incorrect with flashy, glow and noise particular lures.

You possibly can be taught extra in my article known as “Does Lure Colour Matter?”. I break down the science behind walleye coloration imaginative and prescient that will help you make extra educated selections on the water.

Sturgeon

One other species that has put each Lake of the Woods and its tributary Wet River on the map is sturgeon. Extra identified for its spring fishing alternatives, sturgeon additionally get caught via the ice, which gives a fair greater rush than caught in a ship.

This time of 12 months conserving sturgeon isn’t authorized; nonetheless, catch and launch is authorized. Within the above picture, we caught a sturgeon (via the ice) by mendacity jigs on the underside. In an try and catch walleye who’re feeding on blood worms within the mud, we as a substitute hooked into a few these beasts which offered a stunning and lengthy lasting struggle.

Every fish had been caught on medium powered ice rods – with mild line, offering a wild and lengthy escapade to the highest of the ice. Nonetheless, in case you are seeking to goal these species – I advisable upsizing to a heavy motion rod (one thing designated for lakers) and heavy line, as it’ll assist each you and the fish be much less fatigued on the finish of the battle.

Pike

Pike fishing could be good anytime at Lake of the Woods, however it’s turn out to be highly regarded throughout late ice when the pike transfer into the shallow. Catching a 40″ pike isn’t out of the norm and an ideal exercise to deal with with the hotter, longer days. In actual fact, it doesn’t get any higher than Lake of the Woods for chasing flags.

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For extra info concerning LOW pike fishing, take a look at Lake of the Woods Tourism web site for particulars, methods, and the place to start your journey.

DIY VS PACKAGE OPPORTUNITIES

As talked about above, you may DIY OR make the most of one of many many resorts guided/all-inclusive providers. I’ve accomplished each, and selecting which one’s greatest usually occasions depends upon how a lot time you might have and who you might be bringing with you.

If you’re quick on time, or have a big group of individuals to maintain, then there is no such thing as a higher choice then taking an ice fishing bundle that will help you out with the complications. Not solely do these packages assist with the logistics, however they give you actually EVERYTHING you want, so that you don’t have to fret about packing the home.

Advantages of resort packages embrace:

• Heat, ready homes
• Heated transportation (not everybody has a snowmobile or aspect by aspect, and early within the season it is advisable to be resistant of utilizing vehicles
• Probably on a Good Chunk

What Possibility is Proper For You?Lengthy distance? Mild Gear? A Giant group of individuals? Then I like to recommend an all inclusive fishing bundle with River Bend Resort.

RIVER BEND RESORT ON LAKE OF THE WOODS

It’s no secret that I’ve been an enormous fan of River Bend Resort on Lake of the Woods for a very long time. They’ve a pleasant restaurant/bar space (they are going to even prepare dinner your fish), nice packages, and the homeowners, Paul and Brandy, are implausible. In addition they constructed a brand new cabin, with the nicest facilities and phenomenal home windows overlooking the wet that we acquired to take pleasure in our weekend up there.

Maybe better of all, they’ve a big number of packages that match any want or funds. If you’re new to Lake of the Woods it could actually’t be beat.

Cabins:

In terms of cabins, River Bend has quite a lot of choices relying in your worth level and desires. Pictured beneath is one among their most up-to-date additions – with massive glass home windows and doorways (overlooking the the attractive Wet River), a contemporary Kitchen and loads of room to take pleasure in your keep after an extended day on the ice. I spend most of my time working after fishing, so having a pleasant place to return again to and work at was an ideal choice for this case.

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In addition they have older, fishing pleasant homes the place you may host your family and friends with all your necessities.

River Bend Ice Fishing Packages

What River Bend does exceptionally nicely is give you quite a lot of packages to accommodate any want. . They’ve all inclusive packages (that even consists of meals), sleeper home packages, day home packages – the place you may fish with them and keep elsewhere. They actually supply all of it. Their guided journeys embrace a experience out to your fishing vacation spot the place a information will help you, and your own home will likely be heat and able to go together with a bucket of bait. I’ve a fast breakdown of those packages listed beneath.

Sleeper Homes, Day Homes, & Extra

Beneath are sources straight from the River Bend web site exhibiting their a number of bundle alternatives for ice anglers. I’ve used the Day Homes and used their camp as a base and went DIY many occasions. As talked about beforehand, every choice has its advantages, and when coping with an enormous group of individuals you may’t beat going with a bundle, particularly an all-inclusive.

They’ve 3 bundle alternatives:

• Ice Fishing from a Sleeper Home
• All Inclusive (Keep at a Cabin & Fish in a Day Home)
• Fish With River Bend and Keep Elsewhere (good for when you might have buddies or household residing within the space however nonetheless need good fishing, pizza for lunch, and all your fishing wants taken care of. ).

Beneath are 3 of the packages River Bend resort has to supply.

ICE HOUSE ACCOMMODATIONS

As for the precise ice home lodging, they’re spacious, heat, and include bait able to go. It’s good for an enormous group of people who need to fish, socialize, and never fear concerning the work and chilly climate concerned in DIY ice fishing.

• In addition they present gear rental, which incorporates:
• Rods
• Reels
• Bait
• Electronics In actual fact, Greg from Midwest Open air was utilizing one among their Helix 7’s as nicely.

SUMMARY OF MY LAKE OF THE WOODS/RAINY RIVER TRIPS

Lake of the Woods is one among my favourite locations. It’s offered me with a few of the largest fish of my life, in all seasons. Nonetheless, ice fishing gives an journey all on it’s personal. Throughout my most up-to-date journey, I used to be in a position to take a enjoyable experience out to the lake, be a part of monster sturgeon being caught, and catch my restrict of fish quite shortly. Better of all, every night we spend winding right down to a drink and good meal on the bar with our family and friends.

Above are only a few of the fish caught on Wet River throughout the previous 2 years. You possibly can be taught extra about my summer season and fall journeys right here.

You can even get the newest fishing report on Lake of the Woods from River Bend Resort.

Be at liberty to e-mail at [email protected] for extra info on Lake of the Woods and my favourite packages.