JUNE 7

Hey Sportsfans,

“We’ve been in the jigging program,” reports Captain Travis.

Fishing has been productive throughout the week, with several prime spots producing good results:

  • About 5 miles out in 30 feet
  • The north side of the Bridges in approximately 24 feet
  • The southeast side of Garden in around 23 feet

When fishing near the rubble and rocky bottom areas, anchor up in 24–28 feet. If you’re targeting the sand ledges, set up in 14–18 feet and work drifting jigs.

The weather has been excellent this week. Even on the cooler days, conditions have been comfortable and enjoyable on the water.

We’re also happy to announce that the pool is officially open for the season! The pool is private and available exclusively to our guests and the Ballard’s family, making it a quieter and more relaxing place to unwind after a day of fishing.

Set the Hook!

JUNE 1

Hey Sportsfans, 

Summer has finally arrived!

It feels like the Florida climate decided to make its way north, and we aren’t complaining. After a harsh winter and a cold spring, it sure feels good to see the sun shining.

Fishing has been pretty good lately. Some anglers are finding success by staying on productive spots all day, while others are covering water and catching fish in a variety of locations.

There’s no doubt about it—Lake of the Woods is the place to be right now.

The mornings can still be a bit chilly, especially with a one-hour ride across the lake, but the afternoons have been beautiful.

Fish are beginning to move out from their spawning areas and are transitioning to deeper water as they wait for the bugs to hatch. The most productive depths have been 20–28 feet of water. We haven’t seen large numbers of fish move out to the deep mud basins just yet.

A jig and minnow combination continues to be the top producer, but anglers are also catching fish on leeches and crawlers.

Set the Hook!

MAY 24

Hey Sportsfans, 

“Dress like an Eskimo to be comfortable.” – TK

This week definitely reminded us what true Minnesota weather can feel like, with temperatures bouncing all over the place from warmer mornings to temp dropping afternoons mixed with lots of rain and wind. Around here, you really never know what you’re going to wake up to! Thankfully, it looks like Mother Nature is finally settling into summer mode. The trusty weather reports are calling for highs in the upper 70s all week, and we are more than ready for sunshine, calm waters, and long days on the lake.

The fishing this week has been nothing short of outstanding. Every evening the lodge has been full of groups swapping stories from the day, comparing photos, and debating who managed to get their limits first. The excitement around camp has been hard to beat, and it’s safe to say the fish are active and hungry right now.

We’ve been finding excellent success up around the islands, especially near Garden and Bridges. Anglers have been pulling fish consistently throughout the day, with some especially strong bites happening during the morning hours.   

Walleyes haven’t been the only thing keeping rods bent either. A few groups have also reported catching some quality saugers and northern pike while working through the same areas. 

If you’re headed up soon, don’t forget to pack layers just in case — this is still Minnesota after all — but it finally feels like summer is here to stay. 

Set the Hook!

MAY 17

Hey Sportsfans,

Note to self: wear hats with strings, or you’ll lose them on the Canadian side of the lake.

Thursday and Friday brought some pretty interesting fishing conditions. The wind really started to pick up, followed by little rain, making it difficult at times to stay on the fish. A few boats even came in early because of the challenging conditions. And thanks to the strong south winds, quite a few hats were lost along the way.

We’re primarily out of the river now and moving more into the lake and bay. But don’t let that fool you because there is still fish there. Water temperatures in the lake have started to warm up a little, reaching into the 50s.

That said, the cold water and cooler weather have made for a more challenging opener than we typically see this time of year.

Most fish are being found in the bay, while the lake has been hit or miss. The river has also produced some solid results in 12–20 feet of water.

We’ve heard some promising reports from up around Garden Island, but many other areas of the lake remain pretty spotty. The fish still seem to be in a bit of a spawning period, which has made them difficult to consistently locate.

Patience is key.

Set the Hook!