Lake of the Woods Tackle List

[Hoosier]

Just a quick last word on tackle comparisons. On the left is a typical crawler harness we might use on the south shore of the lake. On the right is a couple of Cabela's steel leader rigs like my wife was using this weekend. Definitely using bigger stuff on the Canada side.

You use those with a minnow on them?

 

[Hoosier]

We had a good week up there. Took me a few weeks to get on here and update. Weather was hot and fishing was a little slow, but we also are a little new at later-summer fishing so it took a while to figure out where the fish were at.

Most importantly we got my 95 year old Grandpa out a boat every day. He's probably been up fishing in Canada 50+ times, but hasn't gone for several years due to health concerns. Nice for him to go up again.

I could see myself coming up here more once my boys are old enough. It's hard enough to get away in the winter to snowmobile, much less in the summer when there are other family things going on...

 

[skiroule]

You use those with a minnow on them?

Actually, they work really well with minnows. I try to get minnows that are a little bigger (or at least meaner) because the fish seem to like them.

Very cool that your Grandpa made the trip. I'll bet it felt great to get out again. I would love to still be fishing at his age. Someone said once that a day of fishing doesn't count against the life clock. Maybe he is evidence that this is true.

 

[jpsted]

Hey Skiroule,

Returned from LOTW last Friday, fished Monday-Thursday. And WOW, what an amazing place! Base was Reel Em Inn lodge on Alexandria Island

Caught some of everything, my largest listed below:

Smallie, 19"
Northern, 36", caught numerous northerns all decent sizes. The biggest one caught in the group were two 40"ers
Walleye, tons of walleye caught, my largest was 24", largest in group was 26"
Musky, 42" I was the only one in the group to catch a musky all week...and I'd never fished them before! Since learned you don't usually get that fortunate your first day fishing musky.

Didn't fish much live bait, virtually none in fact. Crank bait and spinnerets were killing it! Caught most walleye and smallies in only 9-13 ft and northerns in same to less water, 8 ft. Same for the musky. Also caught some big azz perch!

Much different fishing than I am used to in WI. In fact I'm so spoiled now fishing back here wasn't even fun the past few days! Put our dates on the books for next season already!

 

[skiroule]

That is just plain excellent! As is most often the case, not taking my advice is the key to success and why go away from what is working.

Great report and congratulations on bringing in a Musky . I know guys that have been fishing up there for years and have never caught one, even by accident. I’ve never even had a follow.

Very impressive list of fish and personal bests. A 19” Smallie is almost the definition of fun and nothing wrong with 30+ Northerns. Also sounds like you had no shortage of eaters if you were looking for some.

I am familiar with the Reel Em’ Inn Lodge. It’s about 20 mi northwest of our home base up there. If you went out of Pier North you went right past it. Who knows, maybe our paths will cross next year.

Hope you had the foresight to snap a couple of pics.

 

[jpsted]

I owe it to Vic (owner of Reel Em Inn) and his son, Jack. One or both guided us each day and had us on fish with the right baits. I highly recommend them and will return to the lodge next year. Your help was valuable, in fact they had been fishing the same techniques with live bait you'd discussed up until the week before we arrived.

Also had a number of follow ups but only the one musky. They certainly knew where to find them. Would absolutely love to find you one day and fish! It's always fun to meet new people who share my same interests and passion.

I'll post some pics in the following days....waiting on a buddy who had the good camera...my cell phone didn't really do the job.

- - - Updated - - -

BTW, we left from the boat landing in Morson...not certain the name or if that was Pier North.

 

[GTL]

Just got back from that area from 4 days of fishing. Stayed at Sportsmans Lodge Oak Island and fished the Canadian side of the lake. Used nothing but a pink lead jighead and caught Walleyes, Smallies, Northerns, Perch, Crappies and of course Red eyed Rock bass!! A ton of Wallys from 17" to 24", Crappies from 12" to 15 1/2" Perch from 9" to 13". Ate fish every meal and brought home our limits.

 

[skiroule]

Those are world-class Crappies! Sounds like you also had a great trip.

I'm told that the areas east-northeast of Oak and around Alexandria hold some of the nicest fish on the lake. From what I've seen and heard, it's true. Not easy for a lot of people to get there unless you're staying in the area.

Have only been up to Sportsman's on Oak in the winter via snowmobile. Ride down the Rainy and across the lake, have a excellent burger for lunch, and head back. About a 90 mi. round trip - all on ice.