LOTW 5-23

[JohnWester]

LAKE OF THE WOODS - Area Tourism Bureau, Denelle Hovde , near Junction of Hwy 11 and Hwy 172 in Baudette, www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com (1-800-382-FISH)
   The start of the 2007 walleye season is off and running here at Lake of the Woods. Huge numbers of fish are being caught on the south shore. Anchored and jigging with a minnow in 20-24 feet of water seemed to produce the best numbers, along with some trophy walleye. The Lighthouse gap continues to be the hot spot, while anglers also had luck by Morris and Zippel Bay catching their limits of nice walleye. Mr. & Mrs. Price, from Williams MN, reported great success around the Long Point area, catching their limit, and releasing several 20-27 inch walleye within an hour and a half.  Wigwam Resort held their 3rd Annual North Star Spring Walleye Classic over the weekend. The first place team of Michael Axen and Tom Peloquin, both of Blaine Mn, took top honors with a total of 46.25 lbs of walleye over two days.  Up at the Northwest Angle and Islands the hot spot remains around the rocks and reefs of Oak Island in 12-15 feet of water using minnows or crawlers. For those in search of northern pike, the shallows in the bays have been giving up some nice fish. Northerns have been biting on spinners, spoons, and small mepps lures.  Walleye fishing on the Rainy River is picking up; the smallies continue to move into the river with the larger fish sure to follow.  Northern Pike have been biting on rapalas or daredevils. A fabulous small mouth bass was caught May 5th in the Baudette Bay weighing 4 lbs 7 oz.