Autumn Fishing Frenzy at Lake of the Woods, Minnesota

As of October 7, 2024, the fishing scene at Lake of the Woods in Minnesota is buzzing with activity. Here’s what you need to know for a successful day on the water.

### Weather and Sunrise/Sunset
Today, expect a crisp autumn day with temperatures ranging from the mid-40s to mid-50s Fahrenheit. Sunrise is at around 7:20 AM, and sunset will be at approximately 6:30 PM. The weather is mostly clear, making it ideal for spotting fish and navigating the lake.

### Fish Activity
The walleye and sauger bite remains excellent, especially on the south end of the lake. Anglers are finding fish at depths ranging from 24 to 31 feet, particularly around areas like Lighthouse Gap, Morris Point, Zippel Bay, and Long Point.

### Types and Amounts of Fish
Yesterday saw a good number of walleyes and saugers being caught, along with some nice perch and occasional pike. The mixed bag of fish is common this time of year, with crappies, smallmouth bass, and muskies also being reported.

### Best Lures and Bait
Jigging with frozen or live emerald shiners is highly effective. Successful jig colors include gold, glow white, glow red, chartreuse, orange, and pink. Combining gold with any of these colors often yields good results. Drifting spinners with night crawlers or trolling crankbaits are also working well for anglers.

### Hot Spots
- **Lighthouse Gap to Long Point**: This stretch is producing a lot of fish, especially walleyes and saugers.
- **Big Traverse Bay**: This area is known for its abundant walleyes, saugers, and other species, with the deepest point being only 38 feet deep.
- **Rainy River**: The river continues to produce nice walleyes, especially with schools of shiners moving up and down the river.

### Additional Tips
Utilize sonar technology to locate schools of fish, especially in the deeper waters. Anchoring up and giving it 30 minutes in one spot before relocating can significantly increase your chances of catching fish.

With the cooling water temperatures and the fall season in full swing, Lake of the Woods is offering some of the best fishing opportunities of the year. Get out there and enjoy the bite