Ice fishing has heated back up quickly with stable weather. The key depth’s remain 24 – 31 ft and glow red, pink and gold. A one-two punch of jigging with a rattle spoon tipped with a tail or head of a shiner and a deadstick with a plain hook has been most effective. Walleyes and saugers mix. Some big saugers and trophy walleyes being iced. 15-20″ of ice on the lake. Some resorts are allowing 3/4 ton trucks with wheel houses. Day by day decisions for each resort. Work through resorts as their ice roads are monitored. Know where you are going. As always, safety first.
The Rainy River has been good for walleyes. More of a morning / evening bite. Know the river or use a resort or guide for safety. The snowmobile trail is staked from Wheeler’s Point to Baudette on the river. Do not deviate from trail unless you are familiar with ice conditions.
Up at the Northwest Angle fishing continues strong. Reports of 16-18 inches of ice in areas traveled by resorts. The ice road from Young’s Bay to resorts on Flag Island and Oak Island is open to vehicles. The snowmobile trail from the south shore to the NW Angle is open and groomed. Resorts are fishing in 19-28 feet of water with a nice walleye and sauger bite. Best colors include glow pink and gold. Big crappies being caught in Ontario in 28+’. Walleyes in Ontario 22′-28′. Work through resorts and stay on ice road. Resorts and ice fishing reservations at http://www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/Lodging. Check out the Lake of the Woods Tourism Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/lakeofthewoodsmn for day to day reports.