As of November 14, 2024, the fishing scene at Lake of the Woods in Minnesota is thriving despite the late fall season.

### Weather and Water Conditions
The weather has been unseasonably warm, which has kept the water temperatures relatively stable. Surface water temperatures are currently ranging between 51-54 degrees Fahrenheit, ideal for fall fishing. The days are getting shorter, with sunrise at around 7:20 AM and sunset at about 4:40 PM.

### Fish Activity
Walleye and sauger fishing remains excellent, with many anglers reporting limits of fish. These species are actively biting, particularly on the outside weed edge or off the deeper breaks. Green standing weeds in the shallower waters and structural areas like points, neck-down areas with current, and shoreline breaks are hot spots.

### Types and Amounts of Fish
Yesterday saw a strong catch of walleyes, saugers, jumbo perch, pike, and crappies. Muskie fishing is also going strong, with big muskies over 50 inches being caught and released. Vertical jigging with live or frozen emerald shiners has been highly effective, along with using Lindy rigs with minnows ranging from 4-6 inches.

### Best Lures and Bait
For walleyes and saugers, a jig and minnow combination is a staple. Good jig colors include gold, gold-glow white, gold-chartreuse, gold-orange, and gold-pink. For muskies, dragging large minnows on bobbers or using big rubber lures to cover more ground has been successful.

### Hot Spots
The South Shore and the Rainy River are prime areas right now. At the Northwest Angle, traditional areas with structure such as points, neck-down areas with current, and shoreline breaks are producing good numbers of fish. The outside weed edge and deeper breaks in these areas are also worth targeting.

### Additional Tips
Being flexible with your fishing approach pays dividends. Adjust your presentation based on the day's conditions, and don't hesitate to move to different spots to find the most active fish.

Overall, Lake of the Woods is offering fantastic fall fishing opportunities, and now is an excellent time to head up and experience it for yourself.