Lake of the Woods fishing report for 9/10/2012

The weather has made a huge change in the Northwest Angle of Lake of the Woods. Last week we saw temperatures in the eighties and water temperatures in the low seventies. In the last few days, the air temperature has dropped considerably quick with water temperatures dipping below seventy degrees and winds up to twenty-five or more miles per hour. The fishing, however, has been nothing short of outstanding for the guests of Flag Island Resort.

Walleye fishing was excellent this last week. With the high winds, Walleye were stacked in predictable locations, however, the spot on the spot was more crucial than it has been all year. Walleyes were schooled up in bunches in single spots throughout an entire area. Rather than pulling up to a reef or main lake point and catching fish throughout the area, fish were schooled up tight in current breaks, sharp turns, or steep drop-offs and breaks adjacent to deeper water. Depth was not a factor throughout the lake, but more-so depending on the area or spot you were fishing. Jigging 1/8^th ounce jigs with Berkley Gulp minnow imitators proved to be one of the best ways to catch Walleye on Lake of the Woods during a cold front. The larger Walleyes are feeding with a twenty-eight inch fish along with several in the twenty-two to twenty-five inch range being caught.

With the fall-like weather, the Muskies are moving shallow onto spots adjacent to late-fall locations. Classic Muskie spots near steep shorelines produced well for our guests with large bucktails being the go-to lure of choice. This was the best week of the year for trophy Muskie on Lake of the Woods. A fifty-three inch Muskie was caught along with several in the upper and mid forty inch range. While the figure eight was a tremendous, fish catching technique all summer long, fish were crushing lure out from the boat this last week. If you are looking to make a trip up to the Northwest Angle, do not overlook the potential of the month of September.

The Crappies are still being caught regularly with a dozen or so caught while targeting Walleyes by one group. Areas near shallow bays are great places to start your search. Jigs tipped with minnows are hard to beat, but artificials can put fish in the boat too. Giant Perch are always biting on Lake of the Woods. You can catch numbers of big Perch in and around the schools of Walleye to make for an excellent shore lunch. Sauger and Pike are also being caught in with the Walleyes, which makes the Northwest Angle one of the best, multi-species fishing lakes in the world.

The weather looks fantastic next week. October is approaching quickly. Big Muskies and Walleyes will be caught both casting and trolling this time of the year. Prepare to see more pictures of big fish!