Local Ice Fishing Update: Successful Catches and Improved Conditions on South End

Ice fishing is currently active on the south end, with many anglers reporting a successful catch. The catch includes walleyes, saugers, perch, eelpout, and occasional pike. The cold weather has improved ice conditions, allowing for higher weight limits on ice roads. Resort and sleeper fish houses are available, and some ice roads are allowing pickup trucks with wheelhouses. For safety, it's important to stick to the resort ice roads.

The weather forecast predicts continued cold temperatures. If this continues, fish houses on Lake of the Woods (LOW) can stay out until March. The walleye/sauger season on LOW now runs until April 14th, while the pike season is open all year. Most ice fishing for walleyes and saugers is happening in 24 – 34 feet of water.

The suggested fishing method is to jig one line and use a live minnow on the second line. Jigging spoons tipped with a full minnow or minnow piece have been effective. For the deadstick, a live minnow on a plain or colored hook or a small ice jig is suggested. Pike anglers are catching large fish in shallower shoreline breaks, with activity expected to increase in March.

On the Rainy River, most ice fishing is happening on the lake, with some resorts offering ice fishing on the river. Ice conditions on the Rainy River can vary due to current, so it's advised to check conditions or use a resort or outfitter for safety.

At the NW Angle, walleye fishing has been successful this week. The catch includes walleyes, saugers, perch, eelpout, pike, and some large crappies. Resorts have fish houses on several good spots on the Minnesota side of the NW Angle. Anglers targeting black crappies are doing well in Ontario. The same fishing method is recommended. Electronics can help determine what the fish want and increase the catch. Lodging, fish house rentals, ice fishing, and meal packages are available at www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/Lodging.

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