On the south end… As we roll into mid November, thin ice conditions on back bays as well as the Rainy River have put an end to the open water fishing season. Big Traverse Bay is still open water. The hope each year is to have cold nights combined with low wind and no snow early in the season to create a good early sheet of ice. Every year is different based on Mother Nature of course, but normally resorts will be able to get their smaller fish houses, called day houses, out around December 10th. A couple of resorts who provide spearing for pike in back bays of course earlier. Again, this is just an average. This year could be earlier or later, time will tell, but everyone is watching.
On the Rainy River… The river is covered in most places with a layer of thin ice. The fall season ended up with a good number of shiners in the river from the fall run. The few anglers who fished this past week had some good reports. We believe there are a good number of walleyes in the river despite mixed fishing reports this fall. Some anglers believe the sheer numbers of shiners in the river made the bite more difficult.
Up at the NW Angle… The Angle has a mix of iced over areas and open water. That is quite typical this time of year. The ice is forming nicely and the hopes are for colder weather to keep things moving along positively. A complete list of lodging and ice fishing packages available at www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/Lodging
Last modified: 11/20/2020
