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FISH SPECIES
Walleye
There
are many different habits of the
Walleye on Lake of the Woods. This
may be due to the diversity of the
enormous lake. There are many
different types of structure and
solids that make up the bottom
surface, as well as many different
ranges and variations of depth
around the lake. This allows Lake
of the Woods to be diverse in its
ability to reproduce and sustain
different species of fish and
create many different but
simultaneous patterns of activity
on one body of water. There are
many locals that would explain
there are two different kinds of
Walleye in Lake of the Woods,
river Walleye and a lake Walleye.
Although we know that a Walleye
can travel further than an Indy
car in its life span there are
some people that believe a portion
of the Walleye never leave the
lake or never leave the river.
Although we try to figure them out
with all different thoughts and
data there are a couple things we
all can agree on. One is that you
can find the Walleye when you find
their food source, the other is
gold is always a staple color for
tackle on Lake of the Woods.
Starting
at fishing opener in mid-May the
Walleye seem to be closer to shore
and actively feeding on bait fish
in the sandy areas. Jigging is a
popular method at this time of
year, whether it is anchored or
drifting presenting live bait in
6-18 feet of water is generally
the best tactic.
As
we move into June we start to move
a little deeper and try different
presentations. Usually we will
switch to a spinner rig, generally
a 30" Snell is used. Minnows,
Leeches, and Crawlers are all
effective and some days one of
them is better than another. We
either fish in sand or rubble
areas, or try some of the rock
reefs that hold the Walleye. Still
looking for the feeding areas,
generally bait fish, leeches, and
sometimes the freshwater shrimp.
It
is usually toward the beginning of
July that a large number of the
Walleye are in the deeper water
(30-36 feet). This is a great time
of year to work different types of
plug baits. There are also many
Walleye in the reef areas as the
rocks tend to hold a cooler water
temp. This can be great for
drifting with the spinners or even
trying some slip bobber fishing.
There are many trophy sized fish
caught at this time of year
through August. This time of year
we see the feeding pattern to be
more leeches, freshwater shrimp,
and bugs.
In
September & October the Rainy River and Four
Mile Bay experience a shiner run.
This shiner run generally lasts
through the formation of ice. The
Walleyes follow the shiners into
the Rainy River providing high
Walleye concentrations. This is
some of the best close in Walleye
action of the year.
The
ice fishing season runs from early
December through March for Walleye
and Sauger. On average we have our
houses out on the 15th
of December and have them out
until the later part of March
depending of weather conditions.
We are usually starting off in the
shallower water north of Pine
Island, the sand bottom and number
of bait fish in the area at this
time of year can produce
incredible action. As the season
progresses we move out deeper and
deeper and the bottom becomes a
mud structure. At times we are 15
miles north of Pine Island in 36
feet of water. Also, in February
we start to bring some houses to
some of the reef areas. This can
be a test of timing and skills as
you move to different depth and
bottom structure to find the
feeding area.
Sauger
Not
much is known about the Sauger at
this time, they have a lighter
brown color that the Walleye does
not, and also they do not get
quite as large as a Walleye. There
are some other differences with
the Walleye, one is the Sauger
lacks a solid black area at the
back of their dorsal fin. We have
always looked at them as a bonus
fish and never really figured out
a best way to target them.
Generally while targeting Walleye
there are plenty of Saugers
around. Saugers do not seem to
enter the river., and spawn on the
lake about a week or two later
than the Walleye. Feeding patterns
seem to be the same as Walleye and
generally there are more Sauger
caught when we are fishing deeper
on the lake in the winter.
Northern Pike
The
best Northern Trophy Pike fishing
occurs in February and March. The
big females are concentrated in
shallow water and feeding
heavily during this time of year
as they gear up to spawn.
Tip-ups with dead bait or a live
sucker minnow are the most
productive. All tip-ups
supplied by Border View Lodge.
Perch
Perch are typically not
concentrated in great numbers.
We perceive them as a bonus
fish. However, when you hook
into one it is worth it. In
recent years an average Perch
has been running in the 11-14"
range.
Burbot
(Eel Pout, Lawyer)
The majority of the Burbout
caught are during the winter
months. An average fish runs in
the 3-6 pound range with many up
to 10 pounds. The state record
was caught on Lake of the Woods
and weighed in at 19.16 pounds!
They are a rough fish and there
is not a limit on how many you
can keep. However, it is illegal
to leave them laying on the ice.
They may not be the prettiest
fish, but eating their "backstraps"
has become extremely popular. We
can clean them up and cook them
for you back at the lodge.
Lake
Sturgeon
The most popular time of year to
fish Sturgeon is in April and
early May. This is during their
annual spawning run in the Rainy
River. Also, Walleye season is
closed during this time. The
early season runs from April
24th - May 7th and allows for
one fish to be kept between
45-50" or over 75". A great day
of Sturgeon fishing in the
spring can mean boating 10-30 of
these monstrous fish. Its just a
matter of time before the state
record comes out of the Rainy
River/Lake of the Woods. The
current state record is 94.4
lbs. A keeper fish over 75"
would surely break that mark.
Tulibee
Another rough fish, that are
extremely similar to a
Whitefish. We typically see more
caught in the winter months. An
average Tulibee runs from 11-15
inches. As far as eating, they
are best smoked.
Smallmouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass can be found in
the Rainy River and some of the
shallower rock structure near
Zipple Bay and on the north end
of the lake.
Trout
Rainbows, Brooks, and
Browns give you another fresh
water challenge and a great option
when you do not want to be out on
the big lake. Some Brooks up to 2
pounds have been caught. Generally,
May is the best time to fish
Trout. These Trout are stocked in
local streams and creeks by the DNR.
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