Lake of the Woods Fishing Report

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July 23, 2008

Ahhhhh…..July!  My favorite month for weather, of course it's my birthday month, that may have something to do with it.  But the weather is finally settled down, fewer of those "isolated" thunderstorms!  The past week however has seen steady barometric pressure and the fishing has steadied right along with it!

Captain Flip tells me today that earlier in the week they were fishing just outside the Wheelers Point Gap on the south end of Lake of the Woods.  Drifting over 17 to 23 feet of water, pulling spinners was working quite well until the weather warmed and the fishing became spotty and unpredictable.  The awesome thing about this Lake is the vast area to choose from so, the past few days they have moved out farther from shore, but still in about 18 feet of water.  Pulling plugs – mostly crayfish type, shiny perch and anything green has been catching the attention of the walleyes and saugers alike.

The action has been steady most of the day with a little lull around lunch time, but the limits are being filled out daily with 17-19 inch walleyes and some nice size saugers to boot.  Lots of fish are also being released, small ones and many slot fish (19.5 to 22 inches).  The trophies are hanging back right now, but we are sure to see more of them showing up as the water continues to warm and the weather stays true.

Check out the Oak Island Report by clicking here http://www.oakislandlodge.com/fishing/report

July 16, 2008

The weather gave us a little challenge this passed weekend, but the murky water is subsiding and the walleye bite is back! The gap and northern waters are producing the best results.

Live bait is still the dinner of choice for the walleyes in the Big Traverse Bay area.  A good mix of minnows, leeches, crawlers, even frozen shiners are favorite menu choices for the fish.  Anchoring and jigging at depths of 12 – 25 feet have been producing good results.  Trolling with shads looking for that wall hanger is just starting.  A 8lb, & two 10lb walleyes were caught the past week!  The end of July and on thru August are the best times to experience some great action and to snag that wall hanger!

The Mayfly hatch is in full swing and the guides report that is good for fishing!

Something to make note of is a quote from the DNR creel census.  Data from the census rates Lake of the Woods as the BEST Lake in the state for consistently having the highest catch rate.

Don't Miss out! Plan to get in on the action before summer passes you by!

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 Check out the Oak Island Report by clicking here http://www.oakislandlodge.com/fishing/report

July 9, 2008

The fish are on the MOVE! We have been consistently doing well in  12-14 feet of water for quite some time, however, over the last week our charter captains have been working many parts of the lake they have not yet been to this summer.  A good sized school of walleyes are still holding around the 30-33 feet of water in the area near the south shore of the Lake.  Anchoring with a bright colored jig and a minnow or frozen shiner will be your best bet.  It may take some patience…as fishing does at times, but soon, you will catch a couple, then a pause in the action, then a couple more.  Towards the Long Point, Twin Island areas – they boys have been fishing in similar waters – 32-34 feet – same kind of set-up, throw out the anchor and start jigging! Garden Island is just starting to turn-on – along the west bar and east bars of the island – it seems like the lake is still about 2-3 weeks behind a normal year. Which is good as it makes the fish easier to find and closer to shore longer into the season. 

The limits have been coming in steadily and easily.  Several slot fish in the 19.5 – 27 inch range are being caught and released and even some larger ones are coming to the surface more easily as the water temperature warms.  The picture this week shows Captain Flip with a 28 inch walleye caught with a gold and orange jig in 33 feet of water just the other day.

Check out the Oak Island fishing report by clicking here.

July 2, 2008

The walleye bite on Lake of the Woods continues to be excellent.  The report this week is compliments of Captain Darryl Vacura.  Darryl has been guiding for  20 plus years and considers himself a “lucky man” to be able to show his guests this awesome fishery day after day.  The catch rate here is always above and beyond most lakes in the state and our boats can easily pull in 100 or more fish in a day.  The practice of catch and release has been good for the Lake and guests still eat lots of fish while here and go home limits consistently. 

Recently, they have been having the best luck in 11-15 feet of water, pulling spinners while drifting.  The best color is hammered gold, tipped with a good old chub minnow.  Although Darryl is not divulging his “secret spot” - the best area is the shorelines just outside of Pine Island and the south shore area of the Lake

  All the walleyes are nice size – in the 16-18 inch range, with several larger ones caught and released daily.  Limits of walleye are being brought in and the shorelunches have been delicious.