Lake of the Woods etc...
MNeyeslayer
Posted 4/16/2004 9:21 AM (#16720)
Subject: Lake of the Woods etc...


Member

Posts: 14

Hello all. New to your site, but from what I see, we share the same mindset--Walleyes. Anyway, just thought I would let you know that I fish regularly up at Lake of the Woods, and I'll keep you posted as often as I can on how the fishing is. The season closed Wednesday night for the spawn, so I won't have a report until May 15th. I did fish the Rainy River when it opened up, and to put it mildly, it sucked. Water clarity was so bad, you couldn't even snag a fish. I did manage to find the sturgeon one day though. We landed eleven out of twelve in about two hours, with the biggest measuring 58". It was a pretty good fight with 6 lb line. The ditches and creeks over at Devils Lake, ND are open now, so I'm heading over there this weekend to catch some those pre-spawners. The Red River also has an awesome spring bite which should be starting anyday. It's nice living close to North Dakota, because they don't close fishing, and non-resident licenses are only $35. FYI, I do not keep any fish this time of year. Well, I've rambled on enough for now. Fish like there's no tomorrow--Jon
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JonN
Posted 4/16/2004 10:32 AM (#16723 - in reply to #16720)
Subject: RE: Lake of the Woods etc...



Member

Posts: 190

Location: Annandale, MN
Welcome Jon,
By all means keep us informed on your area and your right this is a great place to share info. I've fished LOW & the Rainy river for about 10 years and it's a fishery that is 2nd to none!! One of these days I'm heading there for the opener. Take it easy. Nav

Edited by JonN 4/16/2004 10:33 AM
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MNeyeslayer
Posted 4/16/2004 10:53 AM (#16724 - in reply to #16720)
Subject: RE: Lake of the Woods etc...


Member

Posts: 14

Nav,
Thanks for the welcome. I fished the river down by you last summer. the only weekend of the year I got skunked. Apparently I had the wrong guide, huh? The govenor is fishing up here for the opener this year, so I'm sure the lake will be packed with boats. I've fished from shore below a small dam just a few miles from my door the past three openers, and have yet to make til 10 am without filling out. Shhhh, don't tell anyone.
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Rick Larson
Posted 4/16/2004 4:59 PM (#16741 - in reply to #16720)
Subject: RE: Lake of the Woods etc...



Welcome! Nice to read reports form your area!
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larry eaton
Posted 4/16/2004 8:09 PM (#16744 - in reply to #16720)
Subject: RE: Lake of the Woods etc...


Member

Posts: 526

Location: blue mounds,wisc
keep the reports coming. im planning a trip up there in july. any good recomendations as far as places to stay close to the good walleye fishing that time of the year..
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Richfish
Posted 4/16/2004 9:18 PM (#16747 - in reply to #16720)
Subject: RE: Lake of the Woods etc...


Member

Posts: 540

Location: Milw, WI
Welcome,
A new voice from a new area.
Tell us all about the walleye fishing up your way.
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MNeyeslayer
Posted 4/19/2004 12:14 PM (#16815 - in reply to #16720)
Subject: RE: Lake of the Woods etc...


Member

Posts: 14

The walleyes are in the channels around Devils Lake, ND!!!! Fishing for them is as easy as it gets. Right from shore, pitch a jig with a plastic tail of some sort (live bait not required), and bounce it back. I only made it out for few hours Sunday, and landed around 20 fish. Four big females (25-30 inch range). I got them back in the water asap, as they were full of eggs. North dakota doesn't have a season for walleyes, so you could keep a few if you're so inclined. You can also use two rods there, so while you're jigging with one rod, you can throw another one out with a large bobber, and big smelt or sucker, it won't be long until a big northern comes by and hammers it. The Red River usually follows the Devils Lake migration within a week, although I haven't heard any reports. I will be fishing a northern tournament on Lake of the Woods this weekend, and going after sturgeon on the Rainy River the following weekend. I will keep you posted on those events. The weekend of May 8th, I won't be fishing, it'll be time to double check everything for the opener on the 15th. I won't be on the lake until the 16th, because as I mentioned above I have a traditional opening day spot I fish, and it's easier with the kids if they're on shore when they get bored.
Larry, the earlier in July you can make it, the better off you'll be as far as fishing goes. Both the east and west sides of the lake produce well in the spring and early summer, but once mid summer hits, the fishing can be fairly inconsistant, as the fish really spread out. Downrigging later in the summer will just about guarantee you fish, although I personally don't care to fish that way. My boat will be docked on the west side, so most of my reports will be from that area. I'll definately keep you all aprised of the situation up here, and look forward to meeting a few of you this summer.
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