In the far south... Ice fishing continues to be strong for some resorts and the bite is very good. Other resorts have decided to pull the fish houses for the year. There is still ice fishing going on and available. Fish houses are available at some resorts. At other resorts, they only allow guests to bring collapsible fish houses. Check social media or call your favorite resort ahead of time for details.
Daytime temps this week in the 40’s with overnight temps in the high 20’s. Next week’s forecast shows thirties during the day and young people at night. That will hold ice in many areas of the lake for those who don’t want to be done ice fishing just yet.
The bite this past week has been excellent. Great reports all over the south coast. Walleyes and saugers in good numbers with jumbo perch, pike, eelpout, and the occasional crappie, tullibee or sturgeon in the mix.
Most ice fishing for walleyes and saugers still takes place in 20 – 28 feet of water. Jigging one line and using a live minnow on the second line is the way to go. Green, glow red, pink and gold are great colors this week.
Small jigging spoons tipped with a piece of minnow or a small lipless crankbait such as a Rippin Rap work well for walleyes and saugers. On deadstick, a small jig head or a plain hook with a minnow attached to the dorsal fin have both been effective.
The big pike has a feedbag! Good reports of pike up to the mid 40 inch variety being caught using tip ups using live suckers or dead baits such as smelt and herring in 8 – 14′ of water.
Work with a resort or outfitter for icy road conditions. Always safety first.
Fish houses are allowed on the ice until March 31, the walleye / sauger season ends on April 14 and the pike season does not end.
The outlook for the May 11th MN Fishing Opener along the south shore looks very optimistic.
In Rainy River… The river opens up along the Nelson Park boat ramp in Birchdale. This Monday, some fishermen push small boats along the ice shore. It is expected that in the next day or so, the boat ramp will be de-iced and ready for trailers with boats. Watch the Lake of the Woods Tourism Facebook page for updates.
There is also a nice stretch of open water in the middle of the river in front of the Frontier boat ramp, which is about 8 miles downstream from Birchdale. The river is opening fast.
The Rainy River opens from the east moving to the west. The order in which the boat ramps open…
1. Nelson Park in Birchdale, MN, 26.4 miles east of Baudette
2. Frontier Boat Ramp, 28.9 miles east of Baudette, MN
3. Vidas Boat Ramp, 9.8 miles east of Baudette, MN
4. Timber Mill Park in Baudette, MN
5. Wheeler’s Point Boat Ramp, 19 miles north of Baudette
Up in the NW Angle… Another great week of ice fishing in Angulo. Wallees, saugers, jumbo perch, eelpout, pike and some big crappies in the mix again this week.
Jigging one line and deadsticking the second line is the way to go. The general theme is that they are picked during the day and are usually a very productive bite at night.
See Angle resorts on transport options from Young’s Bay. Truck traffic is declining in favor of smaller vehicles, sidecars, snowmobiles, etc. Call ahead for ice road guidelines.
Accommodation, houseboat rental, guided small river boat trips and food packages. Go to www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/
