As of October 13, 2024, the fishing scene at Lake of the Woods in Minnesota is thriving as we transition into the fall season. The weather has been cool, with water temperatures dropping to around 64°F, which has intensified the jigging action.

For those planning to head out, sunrise is at about 7:30 AM, and sunset is around 6:15 PM. While Lake of the Woods is a large, complex lake without significant tidal changes, the flow of the Rainy River, which connects to the lake, can influence fishing conditions.

Yesterday, anglers on the south end of the lake reported excellent walleye and sauger fishing. Fish are being caught at various depths, but the sweet spot is consistently around 24 to 31 feet deep. The areas in front of the Lighthouse Gap, westward to Morris Point, Zippel Bay, and Long Point are all producing good numbers of fish.

Jigging with frozen or live emerald shiners is highly effective. Successful jig colors include gold, glow white, glow red, chartreuse, orange, and pink, with gold combined with any of these colors often being a good choice. Drifting spinners with night crawlers or trolling crankbaits are also working well for anglers.

In addition to walleyes and saugers, anglers are catching jumbo perch, pike, smallmouth bass, and even the occasional muskie. Sturgeon fishing is also picking up as water temperatures cool, though it's catch-and-release until April 2025.

The Rainy River continues to produce nice walleyes, especially with schools of shiners moving up and down the river. This smaller river is a great option for anglers with small boats, with multiple boat ramps available.

If you're looking for hot spots, consider the deep mud areas and the structures around Morris Point and Zippel Bay. Utilizing sonar technology to locate schools of fish can significantly improve your chances of a successful day on the water.