As of October 17, 2024, the fishing scene at Lake of the Woods in Minnesota is nothing short of exceptional, especially with the fall season in full swing.

### Weather and Conditions
The water temperatures have cooled down to the low to mid 50s, which is ideal for fall fishing. The weather is crisp, with a gentle breeze, making it perfect for a day out on the lake. Sunrise today is at about 7:30 AM, and sunset will be around 6:00 PM.

### Fish Activity
Walleye and sauger fishing remains excellent, with anglers reporting consistent action across the south end of the lake. Fish are being found at various depths, but the sweet spot currently is between 20 to 25 feet deep. The fall bite is in full force, and anglers are catching good numbers of walleyes and saugers.

### Best Lures and Bait
Jigging with frozen or live emerald shiners is the go-to method right now. Successful jig colors include gold, glow white, glow red, chartreuse, orange, and pink. Combining gold with any of these colors often yields great results. Using sonar technology to locate schools of fish over deep muddy and sand to mud transition areas has been particularly effective.

### Hot Spots
The areas around Lighthouse Gap, where the Rainy River enters Lake of the Woods, west to Morris Point, and further west to Zippel Bay and Long Point, are all producing nice fish. The Northwest Angle is also seeing great action, with walleyes using areas like points, neck-down areas with some current, and transition areas from rock to mud.

### Other Species
In addition to walleyes and saugers, anglers are also catching jumbo perch, crappies, pike, smallmouth bass, and even muskies. The mixed bag of fish is a testament to the lake's diverse and healthy fishery.

If you're planning a trip to Lake of the Woods, now is an excellent time to take advantage of the fall fishing conditions. Make sure to bundle up, as the cooler weather is setting in, and don't forget your camera to capture those memorable moments on the water.