Click Here to Join for FREE!  Member Login 
A Family Outdoor Learning Center

  Search Site
 You Are Here: ..:: Connections » Fishing » Minnesota Fishing » Fishing Report Archive ::..

About Us  

Departments  

Resources  

 Fishing Gifts  
Trout Fishing Secrets. Trout Fishing Secrets Revealed - How To Catch A Trout Every time: When Spinner Fishing Your Favorite Stream Or River!

Bass Fishing Basics. Learn To Catch More Bass Even If Youre A Beginner.

Secret Fish Bait Formulas Revealed. Make Your Own Fish Bait To Catch More & Bigger Trout, Catfish, And Carp.

The Fly Fishing GuideBook. A Complete Step-By-Step Training Kit Filled With The Latest And Proven Fly Fishing Techniques!

Long Lost Fly Fishing Secrets. Discover Original Tips And Techniques From Early Fly Fishing Masters And Classics.

New Releases at Justnorth


JustNorth Fishing 101 DVD
available Summer 2008

Outdoor Adventures - Living the Dream in God's Country - Troutwhisperer
Adventure Audio CD with Karl "Troutwhisperer" Seckinger

Watch Video

Listen to Sample | Buy Now

Minnesota Fishing Report Archive

More Info In Discussion Forums

Subject: Fishing Report - Lake of the Woods - March, 2005
Prev Next
Please login to post a reply. Not a member? Register now.

Author Messages
justnorth
Posts:3733

3/10/2005 1:08 AM  
There is 20 inches of ice on the Rainy River, and with a few days of 60 degree weather the river will open quickly. The channel is open on the Rainy near Loman, and is working its way to Franz Jevne. Reports from the South Shore state that fishing remains excellent. Walleyes seem to be moving back towards shore and numbers are increasing.

The Pine Island area has shown that to be true with good eating size fish being caught in 23-32 feet of water and usually about 2 inches off the bottom. The bite is light and small presentation is working best. Some have used Swedish Pimples with good success. Just before evening has proven to be a good time to fish and fish are biting in 16 feet of water during that time period. Another added piece of news is that northern fishing is here. Fishermen are encouraged to bring those tip-ups and try some shallow water action for those big ones.

The Northwest Angle and Island Community have been reporting incredible walleye action. The fish are biting on any color of jig, tipped with a minnow. The houses have been moved to more shallow water depths and fishing is good in 24-26 feet. Snowmobilers with portables have reported catching nice size perch on reefs and ridges near Garden Island and Little Oak.

The area towards Buffalo Bay has also proven to be a great spot.
These anglers are using Buckshot Rattle spoons, fire-eye spoons and glow colored jigs. This area also seems to be teaming with jumbo perch. The VFW Fishing Derby was held Saturday, March 5th. 76 northerns were caught in Baudette Bay. The biggest, weighing in at 6 pounds, 13 ounces, was caught by Marcus Nelson of Baudette. Walleyes seem to be congregating in areas of the Rainy River. The lake trail from Wheeler’s Point to Oak Island has is groomed, however, watch out for a pressure ridge that has developed south of Garden Island. There is approximately 14 inches of hard packed snow on the ice. There is some logging going on around the Black River Shelter, and riders are cautioned to watch for equipment.

Area Tourism Bureau, Jane, near junction of Hwy 11 and Hwy 172 in Baudette (1-800-382-FISH)

A service of
JustNorth Outdoors LLC
www.justnorth.com
Outdoors Learning Center
Connecting Families with the Great Outdoors ™
justnorth
Posts:3733

3/11/2005 4:55 PM  
The majority of walleyes seem to be moving back towards shore and their numbers are increasing. Near Pine Island, there’s plenty of eating-sized fish to be had in 23 to 32 feet of water. Small, light tackle presentations are turning the majority of bigger fish just before dark. Northern pike action also has improved along the south shore in 16 to 18 feet of water. At the Northwest Angle/Islands area, walleye action remains strong in 24 to 26 feet of water. Snowmobilers with portables are catching nice perch on the reefs and breaks near Garden Island and Little Oak Island. Rattle spoons tipped with a minnow head have produced bigger fish. The Rainy River is open near Loman and working its way towards Franz Jevne.

Lake of the Woods Tourism Bureau
(800) 382-FISH

A service of
JustNorth Outdoors LLC
www.justnorth.com
Outdoors Learning Center
Connecting Families with the Great Outdoors ™
justnorth
Posts:3733

3/15/2005 5:31 PM  
We have moved back in to about 31 feet of water and had consistent fishing throughout the week. A major cold front came in and made the fishing tough for Friday afternoon and Saturday. We had a 26-inch Walleye that was caught and released on Friday so we know the bigger fish are around.

There is plenty of ice to last through the end of the month. We still have over 30 inches of ice and with the forecast we do not expect to get above freezing any time soon. We do have some availability if you want to get one last trip in.

Get the Gaff!

Courtesy of Border View Lodge

www.borderviewlodge.com
1609 26th Ave. NW Baudette, MN 56623
(218) 634.2194 or (800) 652.2194

A service of
JustNorth Outdoors LLC
www.justnorth.com
Outdoors Learning Center
Connecting Families with the Great Outdoors ™
justnorth
Posts:3733

3/15/2005 5:33 PM  
Fishing Report: Well fisherman we are approaching the end of the season – just a couple of short weeks left – and still the fish continue to bite! Walleye numbers are up and the perch numbers are even better! Over the last week or so the weather has been cold enough that we have actually been making ice – it sounds crazy when the metro area has no snow, with reports of some 50 F days! Don’t hesitate now you still have time to take advantage of the outrageous March Midweek Fishing Package discounts – give us a call to sign-up – 1-800-862-8602!! Don’t forget to check us out this coming weekend on North Country Adventures Television – features Sportsman’s Lodge!!

Courtesy of Sportman's Lodge

A service of
JustNorth Outdoors LLC
www.justnorth.com
Outdoors Learning Center
Connecting Families with the Great Outdoors ™
justnorth
Posts:3733

3/17/2005 10:46 AM  
The Northwest Angle and Island Community saw incredible action at the beginning of last week. Although the bite has slowed a bit, they’re still catching fish in 25-26 feet of water on gold and glow colored jigs. Best walleye fishing is on the reefs south of Oak Island, around Garden Island, Knight Island and Bridge’s Island. Reports of 13-inch jumbo perch being landed in the Northwest Angle area and northerns are biting in the bays. Good to fabulous fishing reports from the South Shore area of Lake of the Woods.

For some, this week has seen some of the best walleye action since the first ice bite of December. For others, it was a bit slower. The fish are biting in 33-35 feet of water on the basin of the Big Traverse. Successful anglers are using brightly colored jigs and moving them from 6-8 inches off the bottom. The jumbo perch are hitting.

The Rainy River is open at mile marker 165 from shore to shore. However, there is still 100 feet of shore ice. The channel is closed at Birchdale, and there are still ice houses on river. The Rainy has 2 feet of ice to break up for the thaw, this will go fast if we get some nice warm spring days! Spring fishing fever has people calling the office on a daily basis for updates. We will post river conditions on our website as soon as we see some open water.

Snowmobiling on the trails around the Northwest Angle and Islands is excellent. Cold weather has helped to maintain snowmobile trails in The Northern Connection. Although there are places where the trail base has thinned on the Northern Connection, there has been some light snow this week to help maintain the base. The lake trail from Wheeler’s Point to Oak Island has been groomed and is in good condition.

Area Tourism Bureau, Jane, near junction of Hwy 11 and Hwy 172 in Baudette (1-800-382-FISH)

A service of
JustNorth Outdoors LLC
www.justnorth.com
Outdoors Learning Center
Connecting Families with the Great Outdoors ™
justnorth
Posts:3733

3/21/2005 6:33 PM  
There has been action throughout the day the last couple afternoons had the best bites. There were some larger fish caught and released this weekend and at least one that was said to be about a 7 pound Walleye lost in the hole.

Great weather this past week. Highs are supposed to be in the upper 20’s this week with lows in the single digits overnight.

Get the Gaff!

Courtesy of Border View Lodge

www.borderviewlodge.com
1609 26th Ave. NW Baudette, MN 56623
(218) 634.2194 or (800) 652.2194

A service of
JustNorth Outdoors LLC
www.justnorth.com
Outdoors Learning Center
Connecting Families with the Great Outdoors ™
justnorth
Posts:3733

3/25/2005 6:11 PM  
Along the south shore you’ll find active walleyes and sauger in 30 to 35 feet of water during midday hours. The Morris Point area has been a key spot late in the day over 15 to 18 feet of water. At the Northwest Angle/Islands area, walleyes can be had on the reefs near Bridges Island and Garden Island. Look for jumbo perch in the Stoney Point area as well. Northern pike action has improved in eight to 12 feet of water in Zippel Bay. As of Tuesday morning, the Rainy River was open three to four miles from Birchdale.

Lake of the Woods Tourism Bureau
(800) 382-FISH

A service of
JustNorth Outdoors LLC
www.justnorth.com
Outdoors Learning Center
Connecting Families with the Great Outdoors ™
justnorth
Posts:3733

3/29/2005 5:39 PM  
Great weather and steady walleye action have combined to make late March fishing hard to beat. Ice conditions on the lake remain excellent. The South Shore is reporting good fishing in 30-35 feet of water. Around the Morris Point area, fish are biting in 26-28 feet of water during the early periods of the day, and in 15-18 feet of water toward evening. Good northern fishing has been reported around the Zippel Bay area in 8- to 12-foot water depths in the bays, inlets and feeder stream locations. Northwest Angle and Islands report excellent walleye action around the reefs near Bridges and Garden Islands. Some jumbo perch are coming in near Stony Point. Larger spoons are working well now. The Rainy River is open all the way to Franz Jevne State Park. Open water is only 3-4 miles from Birchdale at this time. The Northern Connection still has a good trail base in the forested areas, however, the sun has melted through spots on the trail that are open to sunlight all day. All trails were groomed this past week. The lake trail from Wheeler’s Point to Oak Island is groomed, and is the the best trail to ride. Call ahead to the resort where you will be going on the Northwest Angle and Islands to get a daily update. For trail information around Baudette, call the Snowmobile Hotline at 218-634-3042 for 24-hour updates.

Area Tourism Bureau, Jane, near junction of Hwy 11 and Hwy 172 in Baudette (1-800-382-FISH)

A service of
JustNorth Outdoors LLC
www.justnorth.com
Outdoors Learning Center
Connecting Families with the Great Outdoors ™
justnorth
Posts:3733

3/29/2005 5:51 PM  
The river is open at Birchdale!

Excellent morning and evening action for walleye with many trophies being released. Daytime action tip-up fishing for northern is fantastic. Now is a great time to be here along the south shore and Four Mile Bay. The reefs are still producing for those willing to make the trip out to the islands. Call now for immediate openings.

Courtesy of Wheelers Point Resort

Wheelers Point Resort
2605 River Lane NW Baudette, MN 56623
(218) 634.2629 or Reservations: (800) 542.2435

A service of
JustNorth Outdoors LLC
www.justnorth.com
Outdoors Learning Center
Connecting Families with the Great Outdoors ™
justnorth
Posts:3733

3/29/2005 5:52 PM  
There are some boats going in at Birchdale and we still have a few feet of ice on the lake. The bay is getting less and less snow on it every day and there is standing water in some spots. Walleye fishing has been good and the Northern bite seems to have ended as they must be up further in the creeks for their spawn.

More projects this spring. We have 7 bathrooms being remodeled and numerous equipment updates. The houses are off the lake and we are getting nearer to pulling out the boats and preparing for the summer season.

Thanks to everyone for making this winter a lot of fun! Next report in May.

Get the Gaff!

Courtesy of Border View Lodge

www.borderviewlodge.com
1609 26th Ave. NW Baudette, MN 56623
(218) 634.2194 or (800) 652.2194

A service of
JustNorth Outdoors LLC
www.justnorth.com
Outdoors Learning Center
Connecting Families with the Great Outdoors ™
Please login to post a reply. Not a member? Register now.
Forums > Minnesota Fishing and Hunting Reports > Lake of the Woods > Fishing Report - Lake of the Woods - March, 2005



ActiveForums 3.7

Your Own Lake Lot  
20 Acres Hunting Land - SOLD
Lake County, Minnesota
Up North
20 Acres Hunting Land - SOLD
Full details
Brainerd Lakes Area Lakeshore
Emily, Minnesota
Ross Lake
Brainerd Lakes Area Lakeshore
Full details

Discussion Posts  
Recent Forum Posts

 Featured Links  



Advertisement
Visit Matt Breuer at North Country Guide Service for the best action in the Bemidji, MN area.


Click to view JNO Connections
Outdoors
LibraryFishingHuntingCamping and HikingSnow SportsWhat's New at JustNorth Outdoors

Your Friends Aren't JNOs?
Invite them to Join JustNorth Today