Lake of the Woods is heavily populated with walleye, which is the prime fish sought by anglers. Walleye are literally everywhere in the lake, limits are easily obtained with many conventional fishing techniques.

In spring, pre-spawn walleye congregate at the mouth of Rainy River and in the river near Franz Jevne State Park. Bait fishing proves to be an excellent tactic. Shad-raps baited with crawlers is a great combination along with trolling in the sand dragging leeches.

In summer & fall, the South Shore is full of walleye. Some of the best spots are at the Morris Point Gap, out by the red buoy, and by Lamertson's Rock. Most fish are caught in 10 ft-11 ft of water over rock bottom. The best bait to try are leeches and crawlers with a hammered gold spinner. Fishing is also excellent in the Northwest Angle & Islands, reefs in 19-20 ft of water are the prime hotspots.

In winter, anglers can ice fish to their hearts' content in the South Shore for walleye and sauger during the day or all night long. They can also add variety by checking out the hot northern pike action in tip-up and spearing houses. Rainy River also boasts a fantastic fishery, with many icehuts available for winter anglers.

For more ice fishing information visit Ice Fishing Lake of the Woods .

Lake of the Woods NEWS! Perham Focus Minnesota fishing opener: Icy lakes await anglers Pioneer Press For the first time in more than 60 years, Minnesota's marquee fishing lakes will be frozen for the fishing opener. Lake of the Woods, Winnibigoshish, Leech, Vermilion, Red and probably even Mille Lacs are among thousands of lakes where ice will make ... Fishing opener will be icyGrand Forks Herald all 126 news articles » Portage Lake Trail recaptures early travel route Crookston Daily Times He said the trail was probably important for the local American Indian villages, including one on June Lake as they traveled to Long Prairie in the fall to hunt buffalo and elk and return to the woods in the spring. "It is the only portage that links ... and more » Press-Enterprise OUTDOORS REPORT: Area fishing report Grand Forks Herald The big walleyes were active opening weekend, and the fishing was excellent, with many charter boats reporting 100-fish outings. It wouldn't be exaggerating to say Lake of the Woods served up the best fishing in the state for Minnesota's walleye opener. MN Walleye Opener Spectacular!!MuskieFIRST all 35 news articles » HNN Huntingtonnews.net Try a Cookbook for Guys HNN Huntingtonnews.net “If you like albacore, lobster, sea bass, crab, lake trout, salmon and walleye this is for you. ... “If you're tracking deer in the U.P woods, searching for elk in Colorado, bird hunting on the Dakota prairies or ice fishing in Minnesota…food keeps ... Minneapolis Star Tribune Nine of Minnesota's top 10 walleye lakes could be ice-covered for opener Minneapolis Star Tribune Henry Drewes, DNR regional fisheries manager in Bemidji, said 26 to 36 inches of ice covers Lake of the Woods, Upper Red, Leech and Cass lakes, which are in his region. What are the chances ice will be gone by May 11? “I think it's highly unlikely ... Outdoors column: Late Ice-Out choices for fishing openerCoon Rapids Herald all 36 news articles » Key Minnesota lakes still will be frozen on opener Minneapolis Star Tribune Some of Minnesota's most popular fishing lakes are expected to be iced in on Saturday's fishing opener — an occurrence not seen in perhaps 60 years. Ice reportedly is still 2 feet thick on some northern lakes, and though it has deteriorated in many ... and more »