Lake of the Woods

   

Nearest Town:  Baudette, Minnesota

Lake Size:  950,400 Acres

Fishing Species:  Walleye, Northern Pike, Sauger, Trout, Rock Bass, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass

Public Boat Access:  Many located around lake including: 

Wheelers Point off State Hwy. 172

2 on Zippel Bay off Co. Rd. 8

Lake Notes:  One of the most Scenic lakes in the Country with over 65,000 miles of shoreline and 14,000+ islands.  Lake of the Woods is the largest fresh water lake in the continental United States after the Great Lakes.  Maximum depth of 38 ft.

Lake of the Woods Fishing Tips

Generally early morning (sunrise to 8 a.m.) or late evenings are best for all species of fish. These times seem to be the major feeding times of fish. The bigger fish have generally been caught early in the morning.

Walleye
Minnows, Jigs, and nightcrawlers work all year long.

Spring - Cast toward the shoreline, making as little noise as possible. The Walleyes pull off the shores in the bays after spawning and move to central areas in mid to late June. Smaller Walleyes move into the shorelines after the larger ones have moved out. If you are casting toward the shore and are only catching small fish, this is a good indication that you should be fishing deeper for the big ones.

Summer - July and August. Fish off poins or if you have a depth finder, fish off the reeefs. Look for shelves. The depth varies throughout the summer and can be as deep as 40 feet even in July.

Fall - September and on. Same as summer, but 30 feet and deeper. Also, Walleyes will at times move back to the shallow bays.

Northern Pike
Northerns can be caught by jigging in the spring. When casting use Rapellas, Crank baits or Mepps.

Spring - Cast the shorelines in bays almost anywhere.

Summer - Small Northerns are found in the weed beds and along the shorelines. The bigger ones are on the bottom in front of the weed beds. A bait will have to be dragged right across their noses. Look for breaks in the weed lines, these may not be obvious, as it could be as deep as 15 feet. Parallel troll weed lines with one person casting toward the weeds and the other casting out from the weeds.

Fall - The Northerns go deeper. The big Northerns come up the shoreline into the weeds for about 2 weeks.

Lake of the Woods Map

 

Lake of the Woods Fishing Species

Lake of the Woods Walleye Fishing

Lake of the Woods Northern Pike Fishing

Lake of the Woods Sauger Fishing

Lake of the Woods Largemouth Bass Fishing

Lake of the Woods Smallmouth Bass Fishing

Fishing Lake of the Woods in Northern Minnesota