On Monday afternoon at about 3 PM, I looked out the window and there was barely any wind and it was sunny and close to 60 degrees. My mind started running and I thought I better get out on the lake just one more time before the weather turns for good, it was November 1st. So, I proceeded to get the boat and head to the Canadian side of Lake of the Woods, just east of the Nine Footer, to The Three Sisters. The Three Sisters is a rocky formation that is on the edge of the big body of water, just inside of the Canadian border. Oh yeah, another great fact is it also just happens to run up on a sand bar. For many of you that read my blog, you know that I love to fish the rocks and on this fabulous November day that’s just what I was going to do.
I started pulling TD-11 & TDD-9 Rapalas (Blue/Silver/Red) along the rock shelf in about 22 feet of water. I was marking plenty of fish, but just not picking any up, so I proceeded to head in to 18 feet and see what I could pick up. This move was the smartest thing I did all day. In a two hour period I picked up a 16”, 23-1/2”, 27-1/2”, 28-1/2” and a 31” Walleye…I love it! Pulling plugs on Lake of the Woods is one of my favorite techniques and on Monday it landed me the biggest Walleye I’ve ever caught on Lake of the Woods, and I’ve been fishing here for 18 years. Needless to say I’m a little pumped! This was sure a day to remember, and maybe something that might get your blood pumping every time you’re getting ready to visit us on Lake of the Woods. I have put a little video together of my latest excursion which landed me the biggest Walleye of my life, by The Three Sisters on Lake of the Woods, and here it is [url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0V-rHm_BTA.]
Today we should see plenty of sunshine, high 49F with winds NW at 15 to 25 mph. Tonight should be partly cloudy, low 34F with winds NW at 10 to 20 mph. Tomorrow we should have considerable clouds early, with some decrease in clouds later in the day, temps nearly steady in the mid to upper 30s with winds NNW at 10 to 20 mph. Tomorrow night we should have a few clouds, low 28F with winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Friday we should have plenty of sun, highs in the low 40s and lows in the low 30s. Saturday we should have times of sun and clouds, highs in the low 50s and lows in the mid 30s. Sunday should be mostly cloudy, highs in the low 50s and lows in the mid 30s.
Today’s fishing report will be provided by me, a few of our guests and some local talent. Morris Gap has had the most consistent and best fishing this fall for me and our guests. This weekend we were fishing in 16-1/2 feet of water in Morris Gap and consistently caught fish, mostly Saugers, but the Walleyes were there to be had. Lighthouse Gap closest to Pine Island in 14 – 18 feet of water also produced for some of our guests. If you’re fishing in the Rainy River I heard through the grapevine that right out from Wheelers Point Resort by the windsock that people are doing well in 15 feet of water. The colors are still pretty consistent, Pink and Chartreuse have been very effective. As we get colder weather the Walleyes will undoubtedly run into the river after the Shiners that should be running a little bit better now. If you’re fishing the river, be sure you have ¾ to 1 oz jigs, we really have some current flowing and you have to be on the bottom to catch the Walleyes. Just a few days ago I went up by the Three Sisters and pulled some plugs and had some awesome success. I caught nothing but big Walleyes on TDD-9 Blue/Silver/Red Rapalas. So, the question must be asked about the Nine Footer and the Twenty Nine Footer. I haven’t personally fished them this fall, but if there holding at the sisters, they might just be holding there also. If anyone heads up that way, please let me know how you do. You can purchase your Jigs, Frozen Shiners, Rapalas and Reef Runners from the same place that I get mine, Log Cabin Bait and Tackle, which is about ¾ of a mile south of the Wigwam on 172. Also, Tom’s Tackle, a local tackle making company makes all the jigs and spinners that I use and you can get your own Tom’s Tackle jigs and lures at Log Cabin Bait. Use what works for us on Lake of the Woods, “Tom’s Tackle”, a local company that know what works on Lake of the Woods. Keep checking out the fishing report, and I’ll give you all the hard facts as soon as I find out where they’re hiding next. Good luck and Happy Fishing to all! Thanks for fishing with us and visiting with us at the Wigwam Resort on Lake of the Woods.
Happy Fishing to all, and to all a good day.
Wigwam Fisherman
Congrats on the 31” eye!
Nice eye
Hey J.P., Congrats on the 31″ eye
! I gotta get me one of those.
The Wigwam has got us hooked on Lake of the Woods walleye fishing. Was hoping to make it back up for one more adventure before the water turns hard. The next weekend I’ve got available is Nov. 12 – 14th. Too late or too cold do you think? Us southern boys have a hard time relating to the weather up there in the Great White North.
Great report and very nice fish. When do you guys typically start seeing ice up there and start getting out on hard water?
I don’t think it’s too late. The Walleyes are really being caught in the river just around the corner right across from Wheelers and the Wind Sock. The weather should be getting a little bit colder, but dress warm and you’ll have a blast.
Have fun and hope to see you up here.
We are anticipating to start ice fishing on the weekend of December 9, 10 & 11, but it could be sooner and I’ll keep you posted.
Hope to see you up here this winter, it should be awesome!
Its good to read your reports as the ice is forming up there. We are usually still in the boats down here at that time but being from MN thoughts of ice fishing are still in our heads.