Varieties of Fish Brought Through the Ice

[lakeofthewoodsmn]

On the south end...  It's February and anglers are picking away at the walleyes and saugers.  Usually by the day's end, there's enough for a good fish fry.  Anglers are catching walleyes, lots of saugers, and setting the hook on big perch, pike, eelpout, tullibee and even a few crappies. 

Some tips...  Electronics help, you can rent them from resorts, outfitters and local bait shops if you don't own them. 

Be aggressive with the jigging line.  Lures like a Rippin Rap or jigging spoon with a rattle will attract fish and get some reaction bites.

Keep deadsticks active.  Jig it periodically.  Lift it higher in the water column if fish are swimming above your bait or if you aren't getting bit near bottom.  Even though it is a deadstick it is helpful to work it.

Bites can be very light.  A small bobber or a rod with a sensitive tip is helpful to detect light bites.

Put together an entire day, meaning, there are different feeding windows throughout the day and by fishing the day, you will normally cash in on the windows of activity.

Most ice fishing is taking place in 26 - 33 feet of water.  Gold, Wonder Bread and glow colors have been good this week.  Some anglers tip up fishing for pike and doing well.

On the Rainy River...   Most ice anglers fish the lake this time of year but some fish the river usually during the golden hours just after sunrise and before sunset.  There has been some good walleye and sauger fishing on the river.  Gold, glow colors, orange or a combo of these colors are effective.  A jig and minnow has been doing well.

As there is current, it is very important to know where ice is good, safe places to access the river, etc.   

The snowmobile trail is groomed and staked from Baudette to Wheeler's Point 12 miles continuing up to the Angle another 42 miles.

Up at the NW Angle...  Good walleye and sauger fishing this week.  Most fishing is taking place in 25-33 feet.  Gold, glow colors, orange or a combo of these colors productive.  Keep lines moving to get and keep the attention of fish.

There are various ways to travel to the Angle. 

1.  Drive through Canada  (vaccination and COVID test currently required). 

2.  Groomed and staked snowmobile trails (stays in MN)

3.  LOW Passenger Service (bombardier service across the lake staying in MN)

4.  Lake Country Air.(stays in MN)

LOW enjoys extended seasons with fish houses on the lake through March 31st, walleye and sauger season open through April 14th and pike open year round.  Lodging and fish house openings are available around the lake.  A complete list at www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/Lodging. 

[mike89]

Bret Amundson from Prairie Sportsman is getting around!!! 

top pic is him...