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!

MAY 11TH: OPENING WEEKEND

Hey Sportsfans,

The moment we’ve all been waiting for is officially here!

This week was full of anticipation and hard work as we geared up for opening weekend. The guides finished getting the last of the the boats in the water, the kitchen crew deep cleaned and prepped food, the cabin gals tackled one final spring cleaning, and the office team wrapped up cleaning the bar, updating menus, and finishing projects along the way.

One thing we all did together was pray the ice would melt in time for Saturday — and luckily, it disappeared just a few short days before the weekend arrived.

The energy at the lodge this weekend was spectacular. The vibes were high as all our winter snowbirds finally returned home to celebrate the small-town holiday we wait for all year long. The lodge stayed busy late into the night, and it was pretty clear we weren’t the only ones filled with anticipation.

For those of you digging around for a fishing report, here’s what you’ll be told:

  • It’s cold and windy
  • The water is wet
  • The fish are still there

Lucky for you, you have me who can somewhat speak the guide language. This time of year is all about jigging. From what we’ve been hearing, pink, gold, and white jigs tipped with shiners have been producing the most fish.

The best reports have come from a few very specific spots. Some anglers have had success near the Gap and just past Pine Island in 18–22 feet of water. If you’re fishing the river, focus on depths around 13–14 feet.  

Set the hook!