Been Cold-But Fishing Good

On the south end... Despite the cold weather, some good fishing reports up on Lake of the Woods this week. A nice mix of walleyes and saugers being caught in 29-33 feet. The cold weather made some of the fish less active, so coaxing them was key. Using a jigging line in one hole with lures that put out vibration or noise was helpful. That combined with a deadstick in your second hole with either a glow jig or plan hook and a minnow. Keep the jigging line moving to attract fish. Try gold, glow white, glow red, wonderbread and pink. Lures that glow, have a glow stick or make noise are effective in the stained water.

Electronics are helpful to show suspended fish as well as how fish are reacting to your presentation. Some bait shops and resorts will rent units for the day.

On the Rainy River... Morning and evening bite producing some walleyes on the river. A variety of areas being fished with low flow and cold temps. The snowmobile trail on the river from Baudette to Wheeler's Point to the NW Angle staked and groomed. Use caution and work through a resort, outfitter or gain info from a bait shop as there is current and areas not fit for travel on the river.

Up at the NW Angle... With the border closure, there are four ways to travel to the NW Angle without crossing the border. 1. NW Angle Guest Ice Road from south shore up to the Angle. 2. Snowmobile trails across the lake. 3. Lake of the Woods Passenger Service (bombardier). 4. Lake Country Air flying service.

A lot of nice walleyes caught up at the Angle this week with a mix of other species. Walleyes in 24 - 30' of water. Some resorts are fishing structure, others fishing deep mud. Jigging with noisy lures 3-4' off of the bottom is a good way to pull in fish. Plain hook or a glow jig with a live minnow on deadstick. Some days, the jigging line is hot, others the bobbers are going down. Communicate with your favorite NW Angle resort for specifics. Ice fishing on LOW through March.