As of October 6, 2024, the fishing scene at Lake of the Woods in Minnesota is thriving, especially on the south end. Here’s what you need to know for a successful day on the water.

### Weather and Conditions
The weather is cooling down, with water temperatures now around 64°F, which is ideal for fall fishing. Sunrise today is at 7:23 AM, and sunset will be at 6:33 PM, giving you a full day to enjoy the lake.

### Fish Activity
Walleye and sauger fishing remains excellent, with anglers reporting steady action. Fish are being found at various depths, but the sweet spot is consistently around 24 to 31 feet deep across the south shore. Schools of walleyes and saugers are scattered over deep muddy and sand to mud transition areas, as well as near structures.

### Types and Amounts of Fish
Yesterday saw a good number of walleyes and saugers caught, along with some nice perch and occasional pike. The protected slot for walleyes (19.5 to 28 inches) is still in effect, but anglers are allowed to possess one trophy walleye over 28 inches.

### Best Lures and Bait
Jigging with frozen or live emerald shiners is highly effective. Successful jig colors in the stained waters include gold, glow white, glow red, chartreuse, orange, and pink. Drifting spinners with night crawlers or trolling crankbaits are also working well. For those targeting walleyes, a two-hook crawler harness paired with a spinner blade in colors like gold, gold/pink, pink, orange, glow red, or glow white is a solid choice.

### Hot Spots
Some of the best areas to fish include the region right in front of the Lighthouse Gap, where the Rainy River enters Lake of the Woods, and westward to spots near Morris Point, Zippel Bay, and Long Point. These areas are producing good numbers of fish. Additionally, the deep mud flats and transition areas from rock to mud are holding significant numbers of walleyes.

### Additional Tips
Utilizing sonar technology can be particularly effective in finding fish in these conditions. Anchor up once you locate a school, and give it about 30 minutes before relocating if necessary. The Rainy River also continues to produce some nice walleyes, especially for those with smaller boats.

With the cooling waters and the right techniques, you’re set for a great day of fishing at Lake of the Woods. Enjoy your time on the water