A Look Into Lake Of The Woods Fishing

Are you an angler looking to find a fishing experience that is likely to go unmatched? You may want to consider checking out one of the largest fresh water lakes in all of North America. A Lake of the Woods fishing adventure will not only give you access to some very tasty fish, but it will also provide a visual stimulation hard to beat. This lake has several islands and houses many bald eagles.

One of many fascinating features of Lake of the Woods is its geography. It occupies not just the state of Minnesota, but also the Canadian provinces of Manitoba and Ontario. Not only is the lake over 65 miles long and wide, but it is populated with over fourteen thousand islands and has a shoreline approaching sixty-five thousand miles. Interestingly, its shoreline would trump any lake found in Canada except that it is not entirely a Canadian lake.

This international lake offers some excellent fishing opportunities. The two best catches for fishermen are muskellunge (also called Muskie) and walleye. The Muskie is the largest pike family member and is well known for its boldness, strength and amazing leaps out of the water. Walleyes are sought after first of all because they are considered to be a delicious fish choice and also because reeling one in is quite a challenge.

Muskellunge and walleye are not the only fish species found swimming here. The vast waters are shared with many other fish including crappies, saugers, Lake Perch, lake trout, northern pike and largemouth and small bass.

In January and February, ice fishing is highly popular. Walleye, pike and perch make up the bulk of the fishes caught. The season for walleye peaks during the summer months, July and August, when the water temperature goes up. They become the most vulnerable when swimming in mid-lake mud flats and in shallow waters. The best month for catching smallmouth bass is typically September as during this time they tend to congregate into large schools. February and March are usually the bet months for bringing in northern pike.

As previously mentioned, large crowds of people will come to participate in ice fishing. The biggest catches will generally be northern pike, walleye and sauger. There are plenty of ways to get out onto the lake, though most folks opt for a method that incorporates safety such as a floating capability. Hovercrafts are a common vessel for this. There are usually so called hot spots where large numbers of ice fishing shacks are set up. Even in these spots there is so much open space available that there is enough room for nearly everybody.

Fishing tournaments are tremendously popular at Lake of the Woods. Most of these tournaments are for walleye and bass. The Rainy River Walleye Live Release Tournament attracts anglers from far and near. Its prize purse is $45, 000, with the winner walking away with $15,000. There are also plenty of tournaments for those looking to fish for muskie, perch, crappie, etc.

Lake of the Woods can fulfill the wishes of not just fisherman but also anyone who has a mind for adventure. Whether on the Canadian or United States side of the border, opportunities for excitement abound. From kayaking and sailing, to dog sledding and snowmobiling, the possibilities are virtually infinite.